PORTSMOUTH, Va. (November 07, 2007) – According to the Second Annual HealthGrades Bariatric Surgery Trends in American Hospitals Study, Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center ranks number one in Virginia and among the top five percent in the nation for bariatric surgery, which includes gastric bypass and laparoscopic procedures.  In addition, Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center received a five-star rating for clinical excellence in bariatric surgery from HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings organization.

The HealthGrades study analyzed the outcomes of 166,410 patients in hospitals in 19 states over the years 2003, 2004 and 2005.  The average length of stay for patients undergoing the procedure was 26 percent shorter for five-star hospitals than one-star hospitals. Average mortality rates were low across the board, but the average mortality rate in five star-rated facilities was almost half the rate of all other U.S. hospitals.

According to the study, large quality gaps existed between the “best” and the “worst” hospitals across most bariatric procedures studied.  Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center is one of 109 hospitals nationally to receive a five-star rating from HealthGrades. If all hospitals performed at a five-star level 5,902 patients could have avoided one or more inhospital complications. 

Morbid obesity is a growing epidemic and major public health problem in America that contributes to additional serious health risks.   As a result, there has been a dramatic growth in bariatric surgery over the last decade. 

“This designation by HealthGrades is another affirmation of the high quality, comprehensive program Bon Secours is committed to providing our community,” said Susan A. MacLeod, executive vice president/administrator, Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center.   “We are very proud of the team’s accomplishment.  It is through our collaboration with our surgeons, Dr. David D. Spencer and Dr. Glen Moore that makes this service possible.”  

For its 2007/2008 bariatric surgery ratings, HealthGrades independently analyzed the quality of care at hospitals in the 19 states that publish outcomes data, objectively assessing their clinical performance and quality.  HealthGrades risk-adjusted the data to account for hospitals with differing patient populations. Hospitals with risk-adjusted complication rates in the lowest 15 percent received a five-star rating. The 70 percent of hospitals with complication rates that were as expected received a three-star rating, and hospitals with complication rates in the highest 15 percent received a one-star rating.

The Second Annual Bariatric Surgery Trends in American Hospitals Study further validates that the quality of bariatric surgery varies widely from hospital to hospital,” explained Samantha Collier, MD, HealthGrades’ vice president of medical affairs. “While the most beneficial intervention for morbid obesity is bariatric surgery, it can carry significant risks, which can vary depending on the hospital. Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center rated among the best in the nation with some of the lowest complication rates in the nation for bariatric surgery,” Collier added.

HealthGrades’ bariatric surgery ratings are published, free of charge, on the HealthGrades consumer Web site, www.healthgrades.com.  Ratings for 28 other medical procedures and diagnoses – including cardiac, pulmonary, vascular, stroke, orthopedics, critical care, and gastrointestinal procedures and treatments – are also available on the HealthGrades Web site.