Danbury Hospital Granted Level 1A Bariatric Accreditation

DANBURY — The American College of Surgeons Bariatric Surgery Network (BSCN) Accreditation Program has awarded Danbury Hospital full approval status as an accredited center for bariatric (weight loss) surgery for a period of three years. Danbury Hospital is the only Connecticut center and one of only two nationally to earn 1A accreditation status from the American College of Surgeons, the highest level of hospital achievement, for its quality, safety, and reporting standards.

Currently, BSCN has fully accredited six centers across the United Stated for their specialized surgical programs to address severe obesity.

Initiated in fall 2002, Danbury Hospital’s Center for Weight Loss Surgery has helped more than 600 people end their lifelong battles with obesity, and reduce or eliminate the myriad of health problems that are often associated with being severely overweight.

Pierre F. Saldinger, MD, FACS, chairman, Department of Surgery at Danbury Hospital, said, “Our patients recognize our center as having established an excellent track record for weight loss surgery. This accreditation by the American College of Surgeons demonstrates to both physicians and the community that Danbury Hospital provides the highest level of bariatric care.

“Our Level 1A status will keep us abreast of the latest standards and best practices, including performance improvement, to remain a leader in bariatric surgery. Additionally, more patients are likely to qualify for insurance coverage through the terms set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services*, and the growing number of major payers who have selected Danbury Hospital as a preferred provider of bariatric surgery,” said Dr Saldinger.

The American College of Surgeons developed its BSCN Accreditation Program in 2005 to foster high-quality surgical care for patients who undergo bariatric surgery.

Laura Choi, MD, medical director of Danbury Hospital’s Center for Weight Loss Surgery, explained, “Scrutiny among the medical community, media, and public of contemporary weight loss surgery reveals a need for organization, standards, and data on outcomes. The decision to recommend surgery for obese patients requires multidisciplinary input to evaluate the indications for operation and to define and manage related medical problems — such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and sleep apnea — properly.

“We have a wealth of specialty support throughout Danbury Hospital to ensure that each patient is fully evaluated and followed to meet their health needs and goals,” Dr Choi added.

With its Level 1A ranking, Danbury Hospital is equipped to manage the most challenging and complex patients with optimal opportunity for safe and effective outcomes, while exhibiting a high-volume program conducted by professional services of breadth and depth.

Dr Choi and Keith Zuccala, MD, chief of general surgery at Danbury Hospital, provide seriously overweight patients with a surgical solution for long-term weight loss through comprehensive medical and surgical care. Fellowship trained in laparoscopic surgery, Drs Choi and Zuccala perform laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding procedures.

Their multidisciplinary review board guides each patient with the expertise of a surgeon, pulmonologist, cardiologist, psychiatrist, nutritionist, pharmacist, nurse coordinator, and other specialists as needed. Weekly educational sessions and monthly support group meetings are very important components of the program.

For most people, surgery is the only effective therapy for morbid obesity and its related complications. Yet, there is considerable misinformation concerning the validity of bariatric surgery in the management of morbid obesity. A variety of surgical procedures can now offer durable and safe control of weight, and facilitate remission of many related health conditions that include diabetes, hypertension, asthma, stress incontinence, and infertility.

Weight loss surgery should in no way be considered as cosmetic surgery, but as an aggressive intervention with the capacity to facilitate dramatic health improvements. This BSCN designation follows high marks from the American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS), which named Danbury Hospital as a bariatric surgery center of excellence in 2005.

For information and referrals, call Danbury Hospital’s Center for Weight Loss Surgery at 797-7131.

*The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) benefit applies only to Level 1 Accredited Bariatric Surgery Centers in the full approval category.