| Because of the increased utilization of laparoscopic
adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and the performance of these procedures in an
outpatient setting, Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) has developed an
international freestanding outpatient Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence
program.
In considering the parameters of the program, SRC's Bariatric Surgery Review
Committee recognized that patients treated in an international freestanding
outpatient Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence (BSCOE) should carry surgical
risk levels appropriate to the outpatient setting. Some of the general program
requirements are:
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The program requirements define a low-risk patient as less than 60 years old
with a BMI of less than 55, weight under 425 pounds, and an American Society of
Anesthesiologists classification of less than 4, with no prior history of deep
venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
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Outpatient procedures are limited to those which do not involve stapling or
division of the gastrointestinal tract.
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An outpatient facility must perform a minimum of 100 cases per year.
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Outpatient centers located less than one mile from or on the same campus as a
tertiary care facility may apply with the inpatient facility.
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Surgery centers that are located further than one mile away from a tertiary
care facility must apply to this program.
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There must be a formal transfer agreement to a tertiary care facility; however,
that facility does not have to be an SRC International Bariatric Surgery Center
of Excellence.
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The transfer facility must cooperate with a site inspection to examine
furniture, equipment and inpatient charts of all bariatric surgery
patients transferred to or hospitalized in their facility subsequent to
the surgery in the applicant freestanding center.
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Site inspectors must be allowed to interview staff at the transfer facility.
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Application fees to become an international freestanding BSCOE are the same as
the hospital-based international BSCOE program.
The outpatient program may be expanded in the future as additional procedures
which can be safely performed in an outpatient setting are developed and
approved. In the meantime, SRC believes that the international freestanding
BSCOE program is an important next step in ensuring the delivery of bariatric
surgical care globally with the highest levels of efficacy, efficiency and
safety.
For more information, please contact:
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Lynne Thompson, R.N.
Director, Clinical Quality and Compliance
4800 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite 160
Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
Toll Free 877.459.0710
Main 919.981.4460
Fax 919.981.4462
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