Texas Children’s Bariatric Surgery Program receives prestigious national accreditation

(Press-News.org) HOUSTON (October 4, 2023) – Texas Children’s Hospital is proud to announce that its Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program has received national accreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).  

Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands is the only Bariatric Surgery Center in the state of Texas that serves to an adolescent-only patient population with a multidisciplinary clinical staff who is certified to meet the surgical, medical and psychological needs of adolescent bariatric patients.

MBSAQIP, a joint program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), is dedicated to improving the quality and safety of surgical care for patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric procedures. MBSAQIP’s prestigious accreditation signifies that Texas Children’s Bariatric Surgery Program has met rigorous criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure, patient care pathways and surgical outcomes.

“We are so thrilled to have received accreditation from MBSAQIP,” said Dr. Shawn J. Stafford, Chief Surgical Officer at Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands. “This accreditation is a testament to the hard work and expertise of our multidisciplinary team who are committed to promoting the well-being, safety and lifelong health of our patients through effective, lasting weight loss.”

MBSAQIP accredits bariatric surgery centers in the United States and Canada that have undergone an independent, voluntary and rigorous peer evaluation in accordance with nationally recognized bariatric surgical standards. This accreditation promotes both uniform standard benchmarks and continuous quality improvement.

After applying for MBSAQIP Accreditation, centers undergo an extensive site visit by an experienced bariatric surgeon who reviews the center's structure, processes and clinical outcomes data. The center also participates in a national data registry that yields semiannual reports on the quality of its surgical outcomes and identifies opportunities for quality improvement.

“This prestigious recognition is truly an honor,” said Dr. J. Ruben Rodriguez, Medical Director of Pediatric Surgery and Associate Chief Surgical Officer at Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands. “MBSAQIP’s accreditation is a reflection of our commitment to providing exceptional, life-changing care and ensuring the highest standards in bariatric surgery.”

As an MBSAQIP accredited center, Texas Children’s Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program has demonstrated a commitment to:

Providing a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to care. Maintaining a skilled team of surgeons, nurses and medical professionals specializing in metabolic and bariatric surgery. Offering state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to support safe and effective surgical procedures. Adhering to strict quality improvement measures to enhance patient outcomes and satisfaction. Participating in ongoing data collection and analysis to drive continuous improvement.  

Since 2004, Texas Children’s has performed more than 200 weight-loss surgeries, putting the Bariatric Surgery Program on the national map and helping patients lose more than 50% of their excess weight.

About Texas Children’s Hospital Texas Children’s, a nonprofit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The system includes the Texas Children’s Duncan NRI; the Feigin Tower for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children’s care for communities north of Houston. The organization also created Texas Children’s Health Plan, the nation’s first HMO for children; Texas Children’s Pediatrics, the largest pediatric primary care network in the country; Texas Children’s Urgent Care clinics that specialize in after-hours care tailored specifically for children; and a global health program that s channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, visit www.texaschildrens.org. 

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