Lowell General Hospital's Bariatric Program Upholds Accreditation by American College of Surgeons

June 7, 2011 - PRLog -- Lowell, Mass. and Chelmsford, Mass. – Lowell General Hospital’s Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery was re-accredited in 2011 as a Level 1A facility by the Bariatric Surgery Center Network (BSCN) Accreditation Program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This designation means that Lowell General has met the essential criteria that ensure it is fully capable of supporting a bariatric surgery care program and that its institutional performance meets the requirements outlined by the ACS BSCN Accreditation Program.

Established by the American College of Surgeons in 2005 in an effort to extend established quality improvement practices to all disciplines of surgical care, the ACS BSCN Accreditation Program provides confirmation that a bariatric surgery center has
demonstrated its commitment to providing the highest quality care for its bariatric surgery patients. Accredited bariatric surgery centers provide not only the hospital resources necessary for optimal care of morbidly obese patients, but also the support and resources that are necessary to address the entire spectrum of care and needs of bariatric patients, from the pre-hospital phase through the postoperative care and treatment process.

“The ACS BSCN Level 1A accreditation that we uphold represents the comprehensive program available at the Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Services,” says Christine LaBrecque, director of Lowell General Hospital’s dedicated center based in North Chelmsford. “A successful treatment solution for patients is dependent on the quality of care, scope of services, and ability to provide resources at every step of the way. Many of our patients have come to us specifically for the certification and the range of support not typically available at other facilities.”

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recognized Lowell General and allows expanded Medicare coverage of bariatric surgery for beneficiaries of all ages who have been diagnosed with other health problems associated with obesity. Medicare coverage has been limited to procedures performed in facilities certified by the American College of Surgeons or the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery. This reaccreditation means Lowell General Hospital has been granted "Full Approval" and will continue to be recognized as an "American College of Surgeons Level 1A Accredited Bariatric Center” for the next three years.

Lowell General Hospital’s Center for Weight Management and Bariatric Services provides surgical and non-surgical, medically managed weight management offerings to improve the quality of health and wellness for patients. The team has performed more than 2,000 successful surgeries. To learn more, please visit www.lowellgeneral.org or call 1-877-LGH-WELL (1-877-544-9355).