The American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) together have created a national standard for bariatric surgery accreditation programs called the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).  Many hospitals and surgical centers strive to become an MBSAQIP Accredited Center.  To become an MBSAQIP center the facility, its staff and its surgeons must meet their standards of care.

A recent study showed that the mortality rates at non-accredited facilities are on average three times greater than the mortality rates at accredited facilities.

The mission of the MPSAQIP and its centers is to improve the lives of people with Obesity by:

-        Educating the public, public officials and healthcare providers about Obesity the disease

-        improving the care and treatment of people suffering from obesity.

-        Advancing the science and understanding of weight loss surgery.

-        Being the recognized authority and resource on weight loss surgery.

-        Advocating for people with obesity to ensure access to high quality treatment.

-        Providing oversite over MBSAQIP Centers

MBSAQIP accredited centers undergo an independent, voluntary, and rigorous peer evaluation in accordance with nationally recognized bariatric surgical standards. This accreditation not only promotes uniform standard benchmarks, but also supports continuous quality improvement and safety.

• There are several types of MBSAQIP Centers.

• Comprehensive Center – Adult patients Only

• Comprehensive Center with Adolescent Qualifications - adult and adolescent patients

• Comprehensive Center with Obesity Medicine Qualifications - adult patients only

• Comprehensive Center with Adolescent and Obesity Medicine Qualifications - adult and adolescent patients

• Low Acuity Center - Adult patients Only with patient & procedure selection restrictions

• Adolescent center

• Ambulatory Surgery Center - Adult patients Only with patient & procedure selection restrictions

In the process of becoming a MBSAQIP Accredited Center - the facility and its medical staff must provide the structure, process, and personnel to obtain and maintain the quality standards of the MBSAQIP in caring for bariatric patients. The administrative and medical staff must commit to broad cooperation in order to improve the quality of bariatric patient care provided at the center.

Benefits for patients undergoing weight loss surgery at a MBSAQIP Center include:

-        Receiving care from surgeons and staff dedicated to the care of bariatric patients

-        Working with staff that undergoes specialized training to be able to meet bariatric patient needs

-        Working with staff that is sensitive to bariatric patient needs and emotional wellbeing.

-        Availability of appropriate bariatric equipment for surgery, imaging, before and after care, transfer and mobility.

-        Surgeons that are verified by the American College of Surgeons

-        Surgeons that are Board Certified

-        Surgeons with advanced laparoscopic skills