Grinnell Regional achieves re-accreditation

GRINNELL — UnityPoint Health — Grinnell Regional Medical Center’s Bariatric surgery center has been re-accredited as a Comprehensive Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program, a joint Quality Program of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

The MBSAQIP Standards, Optimal Resources for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, ensure that metabolic and bariatric patients receive safe, high-quality, multidisciplinary medical care, which improves patient outcomes and long-term success.

GRMC’s commitment to quality care begins with its trained team members and the leadership of experienced bariatric surgeons. The program is tasked with continuous review of surgical data to continue improving the structure and outcomes expertise necessary to provide safe, successful and high-quality care to all metabolic and bariatric patients.

To earn MBSAQIP Accreditation, GRMC met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure and patient care pathways, ensuring its ability to support patients with obesity.

After applying for MBSAQIP Accreditation, centers undergo an extensive site visit by an experienced bariatric surgeon who reviews the center's structure, processes and clinical outcomes data. In particular, the survey team highlighted comprehensive patient education, our bariatric support groups, team collaboration and genuine care of our patients.

The ACS and the ASMBS have developed accreditation standards for metabolic and bariatric surgery to assist patients with obesity in identifying centers that provide optimal patient care.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 40% of adults in the United States are affected by obesity and that percentage continues to increase. The disease of obesity increases the risks of morbidity and mortality because of the diseases and conditions that are commonly associated with it, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and cancer, among other health risks.

Metabolic and bariatric surgery has proved to be effective in the reduction of comorbid conditions related to obesity.