St. Joseph's earns distinction as a
Center of Excellence for weight-loss surgery
November 23, 2005
Dr. Daniel Smith and The Center for Weight Management in Park Rapids received the designation as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence this month. Smith specializes in a laproscopic, Roux en-Y gastric bypass procedure for patients who qualify for the weight-loss surgery.
They received the honor from the American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) following an intense application process, which included site inspections at St. Joseph's Area Health Services and Dakota Clinic as well as scrutiny on patient data and health outcomes collected.
The ASBS awarded St. Joseph's a three-year designation. They recognize The Center for Weight Management for its proven track record and favorable outcomes. The three-year designation is reserved for those applicants who meet or exceed the requirements as outlined by the ASBS.
According to a study released in July, 2005, by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the number of U.S. bariatric surgeries more than quadrupled between 1998 and 2002 - from 13,386 to 71,733.
Faced with clinical evidence that the most experienced and top-notch bariatric surgery programs have the lowest rates of complications, the ASBS Centers of Excellence program was created to improve the quality and safety of care provided while setting high standards for goal outcomes. The Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) formulated the rigorous standards to which Smith and his staff must adhere.
"The fact that we earned this Center of Excellence status is a very viable confirmation of the outstanding care provided by this team," Smith says.
He notes that St. Joseph's weight management team (made up of surgical and non-surgical support professionals) derives its uniqueness from the fact that they've maintained a very "tight-knit" core group of individuals committed to providing outstanding care to patients.
The Center of Excellence application process started more than a year ago. "We started with a solid program," says Peter Jacobson, St. Joseph's president/CEO. Some program modifications and preparations were made to meet all of ASBS's requirements, "but the outcome statistics we had were already there, we've had exceptional results," he says.
Economic impact
The new status approved by the ASBS serves as affirmation for the level of achievement reached by the staff and renews optimism for The Center for Weight Management's ability to grow, Jacobson says.
Dr. Larry Leadbetter, internal medicine specialist at St. Joseph's and Dakota, serves on the Dakota Clinic/Innovis Health Board of Directors in Fargo. He learned Dakota would be encouraging their physicians to refer bariatrics patients to the Park Rapids site.
"Physicians from the entire Dakota system see Park Rapids as the referral center for their weight-loss patients," Leadbetter says. "This is an excellent opportunity for medical growth in the community. There are many added benefits that this program helps to provide."
Currently, most patients come to St. Joseph's for weight-loss surgery locally and from across the state as well as from North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Canada and beyond. Jacobson predicts the Center of Excellence designation will likely garner more potential patients from a broader region, bringing growth to the community.
Numbers talk
Smith reports he has conducted more than 1,300 gastric bypass procedures and maintains a complication rate which stands significantly better than the national average. While complications are possible with any surgery, the rate of complications from surgery performed at bariatric surgery Centers of Excellence such as St. Joseph's is extremely low.
St. Joseph's patients who have been tracked for five years have lost and maintained an average of 70 to 80 percent of their excess body weight (EBW). This exceeds the industry standard of 50 to 60 percent (EBW) lost and maintained at five years.
Rates of reversal of co-morbidities (health problems associated with obesity) have been very good. For St. Joseph's post-operative patients with diabetes, 75 to 80 percent of them are off all insulin and diabetic medication within 18 months of having surgery.
In addition, most patients no longer need the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines for their sleep apnea condition.
Results from a recent 18-month Health Condition and Quality of Life survey revealed that Smith's patients demonstrated improved condition status in regard to high blood pressure, joint problems, edema, urinary incontinence, respiratory problems, issues with the heart, headaches, depression, anxiety and fatigue.
Respondents to the survey also noted their quality of life changed for the better: their ability/willingness to work improved for 78 percent of patients; 91 percent now participate in an exercise regime; and 75 percent report their social life has improved.
Leah Walters, bariatrics coordinator and dietitian at The Center for Weight Management, says if patients had any reservations about this program, the Center of Excellence designation should put them more at ease. In addition, insurance companies are more likely to approve surgeries specifically at facilities that have Center of Excellence status.
Kim Soderberg of Lake George became Dr. Daniel Smith's patient when her excess weight started to take a toll on her health in 2002. She says the weight loss she experienced gave her boundless energy she can share with her grandchildren. A photo taken this year demonstrates how she has kept the weight off.
Last option
Surgery should be the last option for someone trying to lose weight. Only patients considered morbidly obese (having a body mass index greater than 40) or those with debilitating co-morbidities are candidates for bariatric surgery. Others may find The Center for Weight Management's non-surgical component an option for them.
Those considering weight-loss surgery should understand it's not a quick fix; it's most effective when paired with lifestyle changes. St. Joseph's support program promotes smart diet choices and exercise. They also take care to address a patient's psychological and social habits.
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Dr. Daniel Smith specializes in laproscopic,
Roux en-Y gastric bypass surgery.
Dr. Daniel Smith
St. Joseph's
Bariatric Surgery Center
http://www.sjahs.org/Bariatrics/
American Society for
Bariatric Surgery
http://www.asbs.org
Surgical Review Corporation
http://www.surgicalreview.org
For additional information,
call (218) 237-5757
or (800) 566-3311
and ask for Leah.
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