Palms of Pasadena Hospital’s Bariatric Program Receives Center of Excellence Designation
January 2006

Palms of Pasadena Hospital (POPH) has been named an American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) Center of Excellence by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), an organization dedicated to pursuing surgical excellence in the delivery of bariatric surgical care.

The award is peer reviewed by the most competent doctors in the industry and the hospital receives the designation in collaboration with bariatric surgeon, Ernest Rehnke, M.D.

Palms of Pasadena Hospital is extremely proud of this designation, it allows patients to know that we have a program with a demonstrated track record of excellence.

To earn a Center of Excellence designation, the Bariatric Program at Palms of Pasadena Hospital underwent a site inspection from the SRC during which all aspects of the program’s surgical processes were closely examined and data on health outcomes was collected. Palms of Pasadena Hospital and other centers receiving the Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence designation agree to continue to share information on clinical pathways, protocols and outcomes. To be eligible for ASBS designation, hospitals must perform at least 125 bariatric surgeries annually, and individual surgeons must do at least 50 surgeries a year.

Bariatric surgery is a complex and challenging undertaking. Many of the patients, who are typically afflicted with serious co-morbidities in addition to the burdens of excessive weight, present sharply increased surgical risks. Psychosocial challenges and the uncontrolled complications of morbid obesity require highly competent and compassionate support. Furniture, hospital equipment, instruments and imaging resources must be suitable for massive patients who often exceed their ideal body weight by 100 pounds or more.

Especially important is a well-trained staff, capable of dealing with the physical and emotional demands of the morbidly obese.

Faced with these issues, the ASBS identified the need to recognize the centers that perform well and to help surgeons and hospitals reach optimal levels of performance. The program was created to recognize bariatric surgery centers, while helping hospitals and surgeons continue to improve the quality and safety of care provided.

“We are pleased that the medical community is recognizing hospitals that excel in surgical weight loss,” said Adams. “The number of weight loss surgeries increases each year, and we believe individuals choosing weight loss surgery should have information about the programs they are considering as well as affordable access to these procedures. Our designation reaffirms our commitment to providing quality care and services to our patients.”

According to the SRC, obesity is America’s most serious health epidemic. Over two thirds of US citizens are overweight; a frightening statistic that continues to increase each year. Of even greater concern, over 23 million Americans are morbidly obese, which means that they have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 35, exceeding their ideal body weight by at least 100 pounds. One third of these, a population equal to that of North Carolina, attain BMI’s greater than 40.

Those afflicted by these severe forms of obesity are not only burdened by their bulk, that are also confronted with life-threatening diseases that may include diabetes, hypertension and severe pulmonary compromise. Morbid obesity is closely correlated with a number of serious conditions that severely undermine the health of overweight patients, including heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the number of US bariatric surgeries more than quadrupled between 1998 and 2002 – from 13,386 to 71,733. Bariatric surgery helps many people who are morbidly obese lose weight when all other methods have failed.

The Bariatric Program at Palms of Pasadena Hospital performs approximately 200 surgeries annually. Its program is designed to help patients lose weight and keep it off. The program’s goal is to go beyond surgery by providing a life-changing program that includes nutritional guidance, support groups and coordination of counseling services.

The program is affiliated with experienced, board-certified surgeons who specialize in the surgical treatment of morbidly obese patients. We offer the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass both open and laparoscopic as well as the less invasive adjustable Lap Band. For more information visit www.ObesityNoMoreFL.com.