Phoebe Sumter Metabolic and Bariatric Surgical Center receives national accreditation

ALBANY — The Phoebe Sumter Metabolic and Bariatric Surgical Center has announced that is has been fully accredited as a comprehensive center under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program.

Officials said that, through MBSAQIP standards, bariatric surgical patients receive a multidisciplinary program which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. It is a joint program of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

The Phoebe Sumter center offers pre- and post-operative care designed for obese patients.

“We are truly honored and proud to have earned the prestigious designation as an accredited comprehensive metabolic and bariatric surgical center,” Dr. Sean Sheff, metabolic and bariatric surgery co-director at the center, said.

Phoebe Sumter’s effort to provide quality care includes its trained staff, leadership and meetings throughout the year.

“This accreditation is a testament to the entire team’s unwavering commitment to our patients,” Dr. Jeremy Joyner, the other co-director at the center, said.

Officials said the bariatric program met criteria for the MBSAQIP designation with its staffing, training and facility infrastructure and protocols for care to support patients with obesity. MBSAQIP standards are specified in the MBSAQIP Resources for Optimal Care of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Patient 2016.

The center also participates in a national data registry providing semiannual reports of processes and outcomes to identify opportunities for improvement.

“This MBSAQIP designation demonstrates our uncompromising commitment to quality and gives patients assurance that our bariatric program has met the highest standards of the highest governing body of bariatric surgery,” Brandi Lunneborg, Phoebe Sumter CEO and corporate director of planning and continuous improvement for Phoebe Putney Health System, said. “We are grateful for the exceptional talent of our bariatric team and recognize the contributions of everyone from our board-certified fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons, (Sheff and Joyner), to our extensive support staff who have helped make this program a success.”

Centers that seek MBSAQIP accreditation must submit an application before undergoing a site visit from a bariatric surgeon who reviews the center’s structure, process and clinical outcomes. Centers are awarded a specific designation based on the number of patients the clinic serves annual, the type of procedures provided and whether it provides care for patients under the age of 18.

Obesity increases the risks of morbidity and mortality because of the diseases and conditions commonly associated with it, including type II diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease as well as other health risks. Metabolic and bariatric surgical procedures are effective in the reduction of conditions related to obesity.