Metabolic and Bariatric Program Receives Accreditation

Overland Park, Kan. — The University of Kansas Health System’s bariatric surgery program, located at Indian Creek Campus, recently received 3-year accreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program. This accreditation program is a joint effort of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

Bobi McCumber, RN, the health system’s clinical program coordinator for bariatric surgery and metabolic care, said the accreditation is important for many reasons.

“Having an accreditation means more medical insurance payors will be willing to cover the cost of care. It also designates our program as a comprehensive center, underscoring our surgical expertise and quality of care,” McCumber said.

The metabolic and bariatric care team at Indian Creek Campus has performed more than 400 bariatric surgeries since the program’s launch 3 years ago, including 167 over the past 12 months. The gastric sleeve option accounts for at least 65% of the team’s bariatric surgeries, followed by gastric bypass and biliopancreatic duodenal switch.

The bariatric surgery and metabolic care program’s multidisciplinary care team includes a dietitian, psychiatrist and pharmacist to ensure long-term physical and mental support. The team also offers a monthly bariatric patient support group led by McCumber – a former bariatric surgery patient herself.

In addition to offering services at Indian Creek Campus, the program provides bariatric surgery and metabolic care at the health system’s main hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, and at St. Francis Campus in Topeka.