Cedars-Sinai’s Bariatric Surgery Program Recognized for High Quality of Care By American College of Surgeons

Los Angeles - Dec. 9, 2009 - The Cedars-Sinai Center for Weight Loss has received re-accreditation as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence from the American College of Surgeons. This is a nationally–recognized acknowledgement of the high quality of care provided at Cedars-Sinai to patients who have bariatric surgery – such as lap-band, gastric sleeve or gastric bypass.

“We believe that a comprehensive approach to weight loss is the key to achieving long-term treatment success,” said Edward Phillips, M.D., director of the Cedars-Sinai Center for Weight Loss and chief of the division of general surgery. “This accreditation validates our approach of providing excellent surgical outcomes paired with an unwavering commitment to providing each patient with an individual, thorough and safe plan of care. We’re pleased that the high quality of our bariatric program has received the ACS accolade.”

More than 550 patients each year receive bariatric surgery procedures at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, more than any other program in Southern California.

To receive accreditation, each hospital undergoes a rigorous onsite evaluation from experienced bariatric surgeons who review the center’s structure, treatment plans and surgical outcomes data. Assessment of overall care of patients as well evaluation of the support and resources used to address the entire spectrum of needs of bariatric surgery patients - from the initial educational seminar through the 12-month process of surgery follow-up care and treatment - are part of the evaluation.

The Cedars-Sinai Center for Weight Loss offers a broad range of medical and surgical services for adults and adolescents who are trying to loose from 20 to 200 pounds. The unique, comprehensive program is comprised of physicians, surgeons, counselors and dietitians and addresses the medical, behavioral, nutritional and surgical issues related to obesity.

Established by the American College of Surgeons in 2005 to extend established quality improvement practices to all disciplines of bariatric surgical centers, the ACS BSCN Accreditation Program is a thorough review of surgery outcomes, the center’s structure processes and provides confirmation that both hospital and outpatient bariatric surgery centers have demonstrated their commitment to providing the highest quality of care for their patients.

For more information, call 1800-CEDARS1 or visit www.csmc.edu/weightloss.