March 7, 2007

CONTACT:
Communications Department
(320) 251-2700, ext. 74980

St. Cloud Hospital named Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – St. Cloud Hospital has been named a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). This new designation recognizes the safety, efficiency and overall positive results of the team at St. Cloud Hospital that treats obesity via surgery. The hospital has satisfactorily met the high standards set forth by the ASMBS to be acknowledged for its excellence in bariatric surgery.

Obesity is a serious epidemic in America. More than two-thirds of Americans are overweight, a frightening number that continues to rise each year. Bariatric surgery is the only known treatment that results in substantial long-term weight loss. Faced with this issue, the leadership of ASMBS identified the need to recognize surgical programs, like St. Cloud Hospital’s, that demonstrate excellent outcomes in bariatric surgery.

To earn a Center of Excellence designation, St. Cloud Hospital underwent a site inspection during which all aspects of the program’s surgical processes were closely examined and data on health outcomes was collected. Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), an organization dedicated to pursuing bariatric surgical excellence, formulates and establishes the rigorous standards with which St. Cloud Hospital and other Centers of Excellence must comply. It thoroughly inspects and evaluates each candidate surgeon and hospital and upon review recommends approval for designation those physicians and facilities whose practices and outcomes meet the stringent demands set forth by SRC and ASMBS.

About Bariatric Surgery at St. Cloud Hospital
St. Cloud Hospital’s newly recognized Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence provides top quality care and options to its patients in need of bariatric surgery. St. Cloud Hospital takes a team approach to weight loss surgery. In addition to working closely with a surgeon, patients work together with a team of dedicated weight-loss surgery professionals. Before surgery, patients meet with the surgeon, nurses or physician assistant, a psychologist, a medical consultant and a nutritionist. A dedicated bariatric surgical case manager oversees the bariatric surgery program and ensures evidence-based practice. St. Cloud Hospital is a Top 100 Hospital which supports its bariatric surgery program with numerous specialty care programs such as an Intensive Care Unit with doctors certified in critical care medicine. After surgery, patients are provided with long-term follow-up and support.

The most common operations performed at St. Cloud Hospital include Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and the traditional open approach. The laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band® System) soon will be available at St. Cloud Hospital.

About the Surgeons
Darren Glass, M.D., of Central Minnesota Surgeons, was the surgeon named on the Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence recognition. He began his bariatric practice in 2003 and has performed more than 200 gastric bypass procedures including more than 160 laparoscopic cases. Surgeon Matt Bettendorf, M.D., joined Central Minnesota Surgeons in July of 2007 and he now performs bariatric surgeries as well. Learn more about Dr. Glass and Dr. Bettendorf

About American Society for Bariatric Surgery
The American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) is the largest society for metabolic and bariatric surgery in the world. Founded in 1983, the society is led by foremost American surgeons who have established an excellent organization with educational and support programs for surgeons and allied health professionals. The purpose of the society is to advance the art and science of bariatric surgery by continued encouragement of its members to: pursue investigations in both clinic and the laboratory; exchange ideas, information and experience pertaining to bariatric surgery; promote guidelines for ethical patient selection and care; develop educational programs for physicians, paramedical persons, and lay people; and promote outcomes studies and quality assurance.

# # #