Obesity worries? Novant/UVA-Haymarket accredited as bariatric surgery center

People seeking surgical treatment for severe obesity and its related conditions now can receive treatment at a local Haymarket area accredited program that meets the highest standards for patient safety and quality of care.

Don Sedgley, president and chief operating officer, Novant Health UVA Health System Haymarket Medical Center, reports its Bariatric Surgery Center has earned accreditation by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

Sedgley was quoted in a Novant/UVA news release as saying, “We are extremely proud to be nationally recognized as an accredited Bariatric Surgery Center. Our bariatric team takes great pride in providing our patients with remarkable care experiences and the best outcomes possible. This recognition affirms our belief that we are providing excellent care for patients struggling with severe obesity.”

MBSAQIP Standards ensure that bariatric surgical patients receive a multidisciplinary program, not just a surgical procedure, which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. The accredited center offers preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for its severely obese patients, according to the press release.

Dr. Matthew Fitzer, director of metabolic and bariatric surgery at Haymarket, was quoted in the press release as saying, “We are committed to raising awareness, promoting prevention and offering treatment and support for this chronic, life-threatening disease.”

To earn accreditation, Haymarket Medical Center met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure, and protocols for care. The center also participates in a national data registry that yields semiannual reports on the quality of its processes and outcomes, identifying opportunities for continuous quality improvement.

After submitting its application, Haymarket Medical Center underwent an extensive site visit by an experienced bariatric surgeon, who reviewed the center’s structure, processes, and clinical outcomes data. The process to achieve accreditation requires that facilities undergo an independent, voluntary, and rigorous evaluation in accordance with nationally recognized bariatric surgical standards.

Nearly 15.5 million people in the United States suffer from severe obesity, according to the National Institutes of Health. That number is on the rise. Obesity increases risk factors for developing chronic diseases that can lead to death, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease, among others, according to the press release.