After incredibly rigorous on site surveys, Brookdale is proud to announce that the Advanced Bariatric Care (ABC) Center has been named a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). The ASMBS designation recognizes surgical programs that demonstrate quality and successful track records in bariatric surgery. The ASMBS Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence program was created by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), an independent non-profit organization that is dedicated to assessing and improving the efficacy, efficiency and safety of surgical and related health care practices and pursuing surgical excellence.
SRC formulated and established the rigorous standards used to administer the Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® (BSCOE®) program and launched a SRC international bariatric surgery COE program in 2007. The ASMBS’ BSCOE program is endorsed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and numerous other health insurers around the country. After thoroughly inspecting, evaluating and reviewing each candidate for designation, SRC then recommends designation only for those physicians and facilities whose practices and outcomes meet the stringent demands set forth by them for ASMBS. There are currently only 600 BSCOE surgeons and 300 BSCOE hospitals in the U.S.
To earn a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence designation, the ABC Center, Brookdale University Hospital and its Bariatric Inpatient Unit underwent a series of site inspections during which all aspects of the program’s surgical processes were closely examined and data on health outcomes was collected. The detailed survey process credentialed the Advanced Bariatric Center, the surgeon, Dr. Sanjeev Rajpal and Brookdale Hospital as Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence®.
In January 2008, ABC and Brookdale also received the Blue Center of Excellence from Blue Cross/Blue Shield which acknowledges the proficiency of the Hospital, the Center and the surgeon to perform bariatric surgery.
“Due to the increasing prevalence of morbid obesity and its associated risks, we see the opportunities available to greatly improve the health of this patient population. We recognize the need to implement an efficient approach to improving quality,” said Dr. Rajpal, Medical Director of ABC Center.
To set up an appointment to meet the staff, tour the Advanced Bariatric Care Center and to obtain additional information, please call (718) 240-SLIM (7546).
In addition, beginning in September, Dr. Syed Imran Ahmed, member of the ABC Center will begin office hours at the TJH – Surgical Suite, in the Residence Building of Jamaica Hospital at 89-06 135th Street, Suite 2T.