Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance accredited as a comprehensive Bariatric Wellness Center by MBSAQIP

Patients seeking surgical treatment for obesity and its related conditions have a high-quality choice for receiving care at a nationally accredited program that meets the highest standards for patient safety and quality in the greater Los Angeles area. 

Houman Solomon, M.D., Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Director at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance announced that the Bariatric Wellness Center has been accredited as a Comprehensive Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®), a joint Quality Program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). 

The MBSAQIP Standards, Optimal Resources for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, ensure that metabolic and bariatric patients receive multidisciplinary medical care, which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. MBSAQIP-Accredited centers offer preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for patients with obesity.

“This accreditation is a testament to the dedicated care team and the comprehensive program we offer our patients.” said Dr. Solomon. “Bariatric surgery can be a life saver for those who have battled obesity, we are proud to be recognized for delivering the highest quality of care” 

Providence Little Company of Mary’s commitment to quality care begins with expertly trained staff and the leadership of an experienced bariatric surgeon. The program continuously reviews surgical data to improve the structure, outcomes and expertise necessary to provide safe, effective, and high-quality care to all metabolic and bariatric patients.

To earn MBSAQIP Accreditation, Providence Little Company of Mary met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure and patient care pathways, ensuring its ability to support patients with obesity. The center also participates in a national data registry that yields semiannual reports on the quality of its surgical outcomes and identifying opportunities for quality improvement. The MBSAQIP Standards, Optimal Resources for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, are published by the ACS and the ASMBS.

“I am extremely proud of Dr. Solomon and the bariatric wellness center team for their commitment to provide quality care to our community,” said Garry Olney, chief executive, Providence Little Company of Mary.

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. Centers that earn accreditation are awarded a specific designation level, depending on how many patients it serves annually, critical care capabilities, the types of procedures provided, and whether it provides care to patients under the age of 18. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates about 93 million adults in the United States are affected by obesity and that number continues to increase. The disease of obesity increases the risks of morbidity and mortality because of the diseases and conditions that are commonly associated with it, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, among other health risks. Metabolic and bariatric surgery has proven to be effective in the reduction of comorbid conditions related to obesity.* Working together, the ACS and the ASMBS have developed accreditation standards for metabolic and bariatric surgery to assist patients with obesity in identifying centers that provide optimal patient care.

*Buchwald H, Avidor Y, Braunwald E, et al. Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2004;292(14):1724-1737. DOI:10.1001/jama.292.14.1724.

About Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance has a reputation for clinical excellence and sophisticated technology with a personal touch. In addition to excellent general medical, surgical and critical care services, the hospital offers a number of specialty programs and services which include the advanced da Vinci® robotic surgery system,the Del Vicario Cardiovascular Center of Excellence, one of a select few hospitals that performs the TAVR procedure, and a state-of-the-art maternity unit complete with the county’s first single-family Level III neonatal intensive care unit. We were also the first South Bay hospital to be designated by Los Angeles County as a Comprehensive Stroke Center.

About the American College of Surgeons
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical education and practice and to improve the quality of care for surgical patients. Its achievements have placed it at the forefront of American surgery and have made the College an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 82,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.

About the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) is the largest organization for metabolic and bariatric surgeons in the world, with more than 4,200 members. It is a not-for-profit organization that works to advance the science of metabolic and bariatric surgery. The ASMBS is committed to educating medical professionals and the lay public about metabolic and bariatric surgery, including the associated risks and benefits, as a treatment option for obesity.