PARK RAPIDS, MN (April 12, 2021) – CHI St. Joseph’s Health is proud to be recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield with a Blue Distinction® Centers for Bariatric Surgery designation, as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities that show a commitment to delivering high quality patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations.
The Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery program provides a full range of bariatric surgery care; including surgical care, post-operative care, outpatient follow-up care, and patient education.
Bariatric surgeries are among the most common elective surgeries in the U.S. — with more than 252,000 bariatric surgeries performed in 2018 based on a report from the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly 42.7 percent of U.S. adults and 18.5 percent of youth are obese and are impacted by obesity-related health conditions. With obesity reaching epidemic levels among U.S. adults, a significant opportunity exists to improve quality care for bariatric surgeries within the national healthcare system.
CHI St. Joseph’s Health Weight Management Center is proud to be recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield for meeting the rigorous Blue Distinction Center quality selection criteria for bariatric surgery set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.
The annual healthcare spend on obesity and obesity-related conditions expected is expected to rise by 2030, if the rate of obesity in the U.S. continues to climb.3 Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severely obese patients because it allows for substantial, sustained weight loss, which leads to, improves, or resolves obesity-related co-morbidities like type 2 diabetes. On average, healthcare costs were reduced by 29 percent within five years following bariatric surgery, due to the reduction or elimination of obesity-related conditions, based on findings by ASMBS.
To receive a Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery designation, a healthcare facility must demonstrate success in meeting patient safety measures as well as bariatric-specific quality measures, including complication and readmission rate for laparoscopic procedures in sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric band. All designated facilities must also be nationally accredited at both the facility and bariatric program-specific levels.
“CHI St. Joseph’s Health Weight Management Center is pleased to have earned the Blue Distinction Center designation, since it indicates not only outstanding quality in bariatric surgery, but improved patient health, as well,” said Leah Walters, CHI St. Joseph’s Health Weight Management Director.
Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, cellular immunotherapy, fertility care, gene therapy, knee and hip replacement, maternity care, spine surgery, substance use treatment and recovery, and transplants, while encouraging healthcare professionals to improve the care they deliver. Research shows that, compared to other healthcare facilities, those designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients.
Since 2001, CHI St. Joseph’s Health Weight Management Center has been caring for weight-loss patients from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota. CHI St. Joseph’s Health Weight Management Center is fully accredited including; The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery and Health Partners Designated Weight-loss Surgery Network program. Their approach to helping patients achieve your weight loss goals and improve your health sets them apart.
CHI St. Joseph’s Health Weight Management Center works with patients to lose weight and experience better health. Their friendly, kind, compassionate care team helps you develop a plan so you can reach your goals and live a full, active life. From non-surgical, medically supervised nutrition and weight-loss programs to advanced surgical procedures, bringing patients the latest technology, expertise, and experience in successful weight control.
Leah Walters, CHI St. Joseph’s Health Weight Management Director added, “We have an amazing team here who truly care about our community and patients, offering solutions tailored to the individual allowing them to live the happiest, healthiest life possible.”
For more information about the program and for a complete listing of designated facilities, visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.