Douglas, Ga – CRMC meets all criteria as an MBSAQIP-Accredited Center, according to national quality standards established to deliver safe, high-quality metabolic and bariatric patient care
[January 20, 2023]:
Patients seeking surgical treatment for obesity and related conditions have a high-quality choice for receiving care at a nationally accredited program that meets the highest patient safety and quality standards in South Georgia.
Dr. Edward Lin, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Director at Coffee Regional Medical Center (CRMC), announced today that the bariatric surgery program at CRMC has been accredited as a Low Acuity Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®), a joint Quality Program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).
The MBSAQIP Standards, Optimal Resources for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, ensure that metabolic and bariatric patients receive multidisciplinary medical care, which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. MBSAQIP-Accredited centers offer preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for patients with obesity.
Dr. Lin shared, “This designation at CRMC comes from one of the best collaborations between two Georgia hospital systems with the goal of offering the most advanced medical treatments to Coffee and neighboring counties. There is so much medical talent at CRMC that it came together naturally.”
Coffee Regional’s commitment to quality bariatric care began with a collaborative agreement with Emory Healthcare (EHC). As part of the Emory Healthcare Affiliate Network (EHAN), CRMC’s bariatric program received training, consultation services, and additional support from EHC’s Department of Surgical Services. In the Fall of 2020, Coffee Regional’s bariatric program was developed with the leadership of EHC’s experienced bariatric surgeon, Edward Lin, DO, FACS. The program has seen success thanks to the knowledge, support and dedication of CRMC’s expertly trained team, led locally by General Surgeon Chet Royals, MD. CRMC’s bariatric team is tasked with continuous review of surgical data as they continue improving the structure and outcomes expertise necessary to provide safe, efficacious, and high-quality care to all metabolic and bariatric patients.
Dr. Royals shared, “Our program has seen great success in a short period of time. This is due to the efforts put forth by my team to serve the bariatric needs of South Georgia. Working alongside Dr. Lin has been essential to this success. It’s truly been an honor to learn from such a phenomenal partner.”
To earn MBSAQIP Accreditation, Coffee Regional Medical Center met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure, and patient care pathways, ensuring its ability to support patients with obesity. The center also participates in a national data registry that yields semiannual reports on the quality of its surgical outcomes and identifies opportunities for quality improvement. The MBSAQIP Standards, Optimal Resources for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, are published by the ACS and the ASMBS.
“We believe this important program is vital to the health and wellness of our community. Dr. Lin, Dr. Royals and our entire team have diligently worked together to formulate every aspect of our Bariatric program in accordance with standards set by the American College of Surgeons. We are proud of our program and our partnership with Emory Healthcare,” said Vicki Lewis, President and CEO of Coffee Regional Medical Center.
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. Centers that earn accreditation are awarded a specific designation level depending on how many patients it serves annually, critical care capabilities, the types of procedures provided, and whether it provides care to patients under the age of 18.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates about 93 million adults in the United States are affected by obesity and that number 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 proven to be effective in the reduction of comorbid conditions related to obesity.* Working together, 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.
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*Buchwald H, Avidor Y, Braunwald E, et al. Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2004;292(14):1724-1737. DOI:10.1001/jama.292.14.1724.
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About Coffee Regional Medical Center
Coffee Regional Medical Center, Inc., is a non-profit, acute care 98-bed hospital in Douglas, Georgia. The current facility opened in July 1998, replacing the original building constructed in 1953. The 200,000-square-foot hospital is designed with inpatient adult and pediatric beds and expanded outpatient service areas, including interventional cardiology and hematology and oncology infusion services, to assure exceptional care and wellness close to home. The Medical Staff membership includes anesthesiology, bariatrics, cardiology, emergency medicine, ENT, family practice, general surgery, GI, hematology, internal medicine, interventional cardiology, nephrology, neurology, OB/GYN, oncology/hematology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pain management, pathology, pediatrics, podiatry, pulmonology, radiology, urology, and wound care. Serving Coffee and surrounding counties since 1953, we have become an integral part of the fabric of our community and a major contributor to the economic health of Douglas, Georgia. To learn more, visit www.coffeeregional.org/
About the American College of Surgeons
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical education and practice and to improve the quality of care for surgical patients. Its achievements have placed it at the forefront of American surgery and have made the College an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 82,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.
About the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) is the largest organization for metabolic and bariatric surgeons in the world, with more than 4,200 members. It is a not-for-profit organization that works to advance the science of metabolic and bariatric surgery. The ASMBS is committed to educating medical professionals and the lay public about metabolic and bariatric surgery, including the associated risks and benefits, as a treatment option for obesity.