Carteret Health Is First NC Hospital to Earn Bariatric Surgery CERTIFICATION FROM THE JOINT COMMISSION

Carteret Health Care today announced that it is the first hospital in North Carolina to be awarded The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Bariatric Surgery Certification. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care.

To reach this accomplishment, Carteret Health Care underwent a rigorous on-site review in April 2017. Joint Commission experts evaluated compliance with national disease-specific care standards as well as with bariatric surgery-specific requirements. Clinical practice guidelines and performance measures also were assessed.

“We are proud to be the first North Carolina hospital and only the sixth in the country to earn this quality achievement. This is another impressive accomplishment for our entire organization and one in which everyone associated with Carteret Health should take great pride” noted Dick Brvenik, Carteret Health Care President and CEO.

Established in 2002 and awarded for a two-year period, The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification evaluates clinical programs across the continuum of care and addresses three core areas:

• Compliance with consensus-based national standards;
• Effective use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care; and
• An organized approach to performance measurement and improvement activities.

"Carteret Health Care has thoroughly demonstrated a high level of care for patients with bariatric surgery,” said Patrick Phelan, executive director, Hospital Business Development, The Joint Commission. “We commend Carteret Health Care for becoming a leader in bariatric surgery care, potentially providing a higher standard of service for bariatric surgery patients in its community.”

Physician leaders of the Weight Loss Surgery Center are Dr. John “Ted” Johnson and Dr. Juozas Zavadzkas, both American Board Certified surgeons. Both bariatric surgeons demonstrate the willingness to take the extra step by offering free monthly seminars and support groups to ensure that patents are educated and engaged in their overall health.

Patients seeking surgical treatment for severe obesity and its related conditions have a high-quality choice for receiving treatment at a nationally accredited program that meets the highest standards for patient safety and quality of care in the eastern North Carolina region.

Benefits to patient’s health can include a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis and cancer. There is also noted improvement in obesity related diseases such as high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes and sleep apnea. Many patients are able to reduce or even discontinue current medications for these conditions.

Carteret Health Care’s Weight Loss Surgery Center was previously recognized in 2016 and accredited as a comprehensive metabolic and bariatric surgical center under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®). This is a joint program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

Brvenik added, “We have an amazing team here who are experts in their specialties including bariatric surgery. They truly care about our community and patients and want to help them live the happiest, healthiest life possible.”