Bariatric Surgery Center Awarded Blue Distinction Designation
Little Company News
08/11/2008
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Names LCM's Bariatric Surgery Center a Blue Distinction Center
Evergreen Park, IL - August 8, 2008- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois has designated Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers as a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery. Blue Distinction�(r) is a designation awarded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies to medical facilities that have demonstrated expertise in delivering quality health care. To date, Little Company of Mary Hospital will be the seventh hospital in Illinois to receive the designation as a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery.
'It is an honor to be recognized as a Blue Distinction Center,' said Dr. Gerald Cahill, FAACP, Medical Director at Little Company of Mary, 'This distinction supports our commitment to not only offer comprehensive weight loss programs that help patients achieve their weight loss goals but also adapt long term lifestyle changes with the help of our specialized team.'
Obesity is widely recognized as a contributor to serious health risks. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the total number of Americans having weight-loss surgery more than quadrupled between 1998 and 2002, from 13,386 to 71,733. Part of the increase was driven by a 900 percent rise in surgeries on patients between the ages of 55 and 64. Blue Distinction provides objective information to help patients make informed decisions when choosing a provider.
Little Company of Mary's Bariatric Surgery Center provides a full range of bariatric surgery care services, including inpatient care, post-operative care, outpatient follow-up and patient education. Little Company of Mary 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 demonstrated by its ongoing quality management and improvement programs
The Blue Distinction�(r) 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. The full list of Blue Distinction selection criteria is available to the public at www.BCBS.com/bluedistinction.
Little Company of Mary's Bariatric Surgery Center's specialized team has vast experience in treating obesity. The Center is dedicated to safely and effectively treating patients who are chronically 100 pounds or more over their ideal body weight. Dr. Gerald Cahill, Medical Director of the Midwest Bariatric Institute has performed more than 1000 successful weight loss surgeries to date. In fact, we've also been rated an American Society of Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence based on quality and overall excellence. And, with comprehensive consultation, counseling, support and long-term follow-up, our complete team of specialists from our bariatric surgeon to a support staff including nutritionists, exercise therapists, psychologists and more bring their expertise together to give the best options in one place. That's why we are striving to reduce the problems related to obesity.
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.
'It is an honor to be recognized as a Blue Distinction Center,' said Dr. Gerald Cahill, FAACP, Medical Director at Little Company of Mary, 'This distinction supports our commitment to not only offer comprehensive weight loss programs that help patients achieve their weight loss goals but also adapt long term lifestyle changes with the help of our specialized team.' 
