Newsroom

The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), a joint program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), awarded NewYork-Presbyterian Queens with a national accreditation for its commitment to bariatric patient care.

“Bariatric care does not begin or end with surgery, and we are thrilled to be recognized for our integrated approach to healthy and meaningful weight loss,” said Dr. Stephen Merola, bariatric surgery director at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens and an assistant professor of clinical surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine. “Our team does it all. We have expert surgeons who are experienced in minimally-invasive and laparoscopic techniques that result in less pain and quicker recovery for our patients. We also pride ourselves on our comprehensive approach to weight management, which incorporates a team of nurses, dietitians and allied staff.”

The hospital was evaluated for MBSAQIP accreditation through a rigorous review process, which included an extensive site visit. NewYork-Presbyterian Queens met essential criteria for staffing, training and facility infrastructure and protocols for care, ensuring its ability to support patients with severe obesity. The center also participates in a national data registry that yields semiannual reports on the quality of its processes and outcomes, identifying opportunities for continuous quality improvement.  

An accredited bariatric surgical center is an institution that ensures that bariatric surgical patients receive a multidisciplinary program, not just a surgical procedure, which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. The accredited center offers preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for their severely obese patients.

“This prestigious accreditation recognizes our commitment to a multi-disciplinary approach to care as well as the quality of bariatric care that our experienced, compassionate team provides to patients here at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens,” said Jaclyn Mucaria, president of NewYork-Presbyterian Queens.

The bariatric surgical center at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens provides a comprehensive program of bariatric surgery services that is convenient for Queens residents. Local patients who seek surgical treatment for severe obesity and its related conditions have a high-quality choice for receiving treatment through a nationally accredited program that meets the highest standards for patient safety and quality of care.

In the U.S., adult obesity rates exceed 39 percent, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the numbers continue to be on the rise. 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, and cardiovascular disease, among other health risks. Metabolic and bariatric surgical procedures have proven to be effective in the reduction of comorbid conditions related to severe obesity. The center employs a multidisciplinary approach to weight management, integrating psychology and nutritional counseling to ensure that all aspects of a patient’s health and well-being are addressed.

NewYork-Presbyterian Queens

NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, located in Flushing, New York, is a community teaching hospital affiliated with Weill Cornell Medicine, serving Queens and metro New York residents. The 535-bed tertiary care facility provides services in 14 clinical departments and numerous subspecialties. Annually, more than 17,000 surgeries and 4,000 infant deliveries are performed at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens. With its network of affiliated primary and multispecialty care physician practices and community-based health centers, the hospital provides approximately 162,000 ambulatory care visits and 128,000 emergency service visits annually. For more information, visit nyp.org/queens