Bariatric Program Designated Blue Distinction Center
MADISON - The UW Health Bariatric Surgery Program, UW Hospital and Clinics, Meriter Hospital and UW bariatric surgeons, Michael J. Garren, MD and Jon C. Gould, MD (pictured), have been designated a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.Blue Distinction is a nationwide program that creates an unprecedented level of health care transparency for consumers and providers. Driven by quality, collaboration and affordability, Blue Distinction strengthens consumer engagement and provider partnerships through new specialty centers, which offer the best practices, and standards of care in bariatric surgery, cardiac care and transplant services.
The process used to select Blue Distinction CentersSM is based on clinical data supplied by hospitals. Each facility's structure, processes and care outcomes are rigorously evaluated. The criteria for designation include nationally endorsed quality measures, developed in collaboration with medical experts and professional organizations.
The criteria for becoming a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric SurgerySM include:
- Full-service, accredited inpatient hospital facility
- Program must be performing bariatric surgery for the most recent 18- to 24-month period and must perform a required volume of bariatric surgical cases
- Experience and credentialing of the bariatric surgical team
- Ongoing quality management and improvement programs
- Appropriate equipment and staffing
- Patient care and follow-up care including evaluation of bariatric surgery complication and mortality rates
"We are very pleased to have received the Blue Distinction designation, which recognizes the ongoing dedication of our team and both UW Hospital and Clinics and Meriter Hospital," says Michael Garren, MD, UW Health bariatric surgeon. "Our mission is to educate the community about the health dangers associated with obesity and the specialty care procedures and resources we are able to provide."
Obesity is a complex, progressive, life-threatening, genetically related, costly disease with multiple obesity-related health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and joint problems.
"Bariatric surgery can help people manage the serious health concerns associated with obesity. The Blue Distinction designation affirms the quality of our program and outcomes, as well as our commitment to every patient," says Jon Gould, MD, UW Health bariatric surgeon.
Bariatric surgery may be considered for severely obese, motivated individuals who have failed at other attempts to lose weight. Severe obesity (or morbid obesity) is defined as someone being at least 100 pounds overweight and/or with a body mass index (BMI) above 40. People who are not quite as heavy but who have serious medical conditions may also be candidates.
UW Health's Bariatric Surgery Program offers laparoscopic gastric bypass and the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band as a means of helping severely obese people lose weight so that coexisting health problems can be diminished or eliminated. The surgeons work with a team of multidisciplinary professionals in a dedicated facility helping patients with life-long weight loss goals from initial education through follow-up care. This team includes board-certified surgeons, health psychologists, a nurse practitioner, registered dietician, physical therapist and nurses as well as a health professional-led support group.
UW Health's Bariatric Surgery Program was also designated a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery in December 2006.
In Wisconsin, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name used by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin ("BCBSWi") and Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation ("Compcare"), independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is made up of 39 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the largest health insurers in Wisconsin. BCBSWi and Compcare are subsidiaries of WellPoint, Inc. WellPoint, Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as Blue Cross Blue Shield in 10 New York City metropolitan counties and as Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through UniCare.
Date Published: 08/05/2008
