PARIS, IL (Chambana Today) — Earlier this week, Horizon Health staff celebrated its bariatric surgery team for earning national recognition for exceptional patient safety and quality of care.
The accreditation process took nearly three years and required applicants to meet stringent guidelines established by the American College of Surgeons through its Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).
MBSAQIP-accredited bariatric programs are known as Comprehensive Centers of Excellence, which means they meet the highest standards for surgical expertise, patient support, and post-operative care.
“This is a testament to the impressive nature of this organization and the services we offer to our community,” said Jay Carmichael, President and CEO of Horizon Health. “We’re doing innovative things and pushing the boundaries of what can be done in a rural community. Our community deserves this. When one hospital does better, it pushes everybody else to do better.”
Dr. Fouad Hachem, bariatric surgeon, emphasized the program’s multidisciplinary approach, which brings together the expertise of numerous clinical departments.
“It shows people that obesity is a disease – much like heart disease. We want to give patients an A+ surgery, and our records demonstrate that,” he said.