Albert Einstein Medical Center Has Been Designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery
Philadelphia, PA – July 23, 2008 – Independence Blue Cross has announced Albert Einstein Medical Center as a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery.
To date, more than 200 facilities nationwide have received a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery designation.
Bariatric Surgery, or weight-loss surgery, refers to the various surgical procedures that can be performed to treat obesity,
which is widely recognized as a contributor to serious health risks. The surgeries involve modifications of stomach, intestines
or both. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the total number of bariatric surgeries increased
400 percent from 1998 to 2004. Bariatric surgery may help some individuals reduce extreme obesity and its associated health
risks, and Blue Distinction® provides objective information to help them make informed decisions when choosing a provider.
“This honor is richly appreciated,” says Ramsay Dallal MD, FACS, chief of Einstein Bariatrics. “At Einstein Bariatrics, we
have seen dramatic changes in the health and lifestyles of hundreds of patients. We welcome the recognition and distinction
that this honor brings.”
Albert Einstein Medical Center provides a full range of bariatric surgery care services, including inpatient care, post-operative
care, outpatient follow-up and patient education. Einstein Bariatrics’ team of surgeons, nutritionists, psychologists, exercise
physiologists and other support staff are noted for providing personalized treatment and unlimited access to its offices in
Einstein at Elkins Park.
“We are pleased that the designation of Blue Distinction Centers provides another opportunity to recognize those physicians
and hospitals in our network who deliver care that meets the high quality standards of the Blue Distinction program,” says
Dr. I. Steven Udvarhelyi, chief medical officer at Independence Blue Cross. “We congratulate Albert Einstein Medical Center
for their achievement in becoming a newly designated Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery.”
Albert Einstein Medical Center met numerous selection criteria thresholds necessary to be named as a Blue Distinction Center
for Bariatric Surgery, including:
- offering a full-service inpatient hospital facility;
- being fully accredited by The Joint Commission or Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program;
- performing a required volume of bariatric surgeries during the recent 12-month reporting period;
- being staffed by an experienced and appropriately credentialed bariatric surgical team;
- being supported by appropriate equipment and staffing;
- establishing documented policies and procedures for patient care and follow-up care;
- demonstrating a commitment to quality improvement, as shown by its ongoing quality management and improvement programs.
The full list of Blue Distinction selection criteria is available to the public at www.BCBS.com/bluedistinction.
Blue Distinction® is a designation awarded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in
delivering quality healthcare. The designation is based on rigorous, evidence-based selection criteria established in collaboration
with leading clinicians, medical societies and professional organizations. Today, more than 800 Blue Distinction Center designations
have been awarded to facilities nationwide, providing consumers with a framework for making informed decisions on where to
go for specialty care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cardiac care, complex and rare cancers, and transplants.
About Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network is a 1,200 bed integrated delivery network serving the communities of North Philadelphia
and Montgomery County, PA. A founding member of the Jefferson Health System, Einstein combines the best of academic medicine
and community service, employing nearly 7,000 people, and offering training programs for physician residents and fellows,
nurses and other health professionals. The Network provides healthcare services through the Albert Einstein Medical Center
and Einstein at Elkins Park hospitals, its MossRehab and Belmont Behavioral Health divisions, Germantown Community Health
Services, Willow Terrace (a nursing home), Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), outpatient facilities such as Center
One and Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare, network of primary care and specialist practices throughout the community. For more
information, visit www.einstein.edu or call 1-800-EINSTEIN.
About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. IBC and its affiliates provide coverage
to nearly 3.4 million people. For 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored
to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross is an independent
licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.
Note: Designation as Blue Distinction Centers means these facilities' overall experience and aggregate data met objective criteria
established in collaboration with expert clinicians' and leading professional organizations’ recommendations. Individual outcomes
may vary. To find out which services are covered under your policy at any facilities, please call your local Blue Cross and/or
Blue Shield Plan.
Publish date: July 23, 2008
