Portsmouth, VA (July 29, 2008) – Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center announced today that it has been recognized with a five-star rating for clinical excellence in bariatric surgery from HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings organization. In the Third Annual HealthGrades Bariatric Surgery Trends in American Hospitals Study, Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center ranked in the top five percent in the nation for bariatric surgery, which includes gastric bypass and laparoscopic procedures. 

Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center’s bariatric surgery clinical achievements include:

• 2008/2009 Specialty Excellence Award Recipient of the HealthGrades Bariatric Surgery Excellence Award™
• Recipient of the HealthGrades Bariatric Surgery Excellence Award™ Three Years in a Row – 2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2008/2009
• Ranked Among the Top 5% in the Nation for Bariatric Surgery Two Years in a Row – 2007/2008 – 2008/2009
• Five-Star Rated for Overall Bariatric Surgery Three Years in a Row - 2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2008/2009
• Ranked Best (#1) in VA for Overall Bariatric Surgery Two Years in a Row - 2007/2008 – 2008/2009

"For many people who are morbidly overweight, bariatric surgery can be a life-saver that not only allows them to drastically lose pounds, but can also reduce the chronic illnesses associated with obesity, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease," said David D. Spencer, DO, FACS, medical director and minimally invasive surgeon with Tidewater Surgical Specialists. "I am very proud to know that HealthGrades has rated our surgical weight loss program as best in Virginia for the second consecutive year."


The HealthGrades study analyzed the outcomes of 154,451 bariatric inpatient surgery procedures performed in 680 hospitals in 17 states from 2004 through 2006. A significant correlation between the number of surgeries performed and quality was identified. Five-star hospitals performed almost twice the volume of procedures compared to one-star rated hospitals. And bariatric surgery patients at top-rated hospitals have, on average, a 65 percent lower chance of experiencing major complications than at poor-performing hospitals, HealthGrades found.

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 93 hospitals nationally to receive a five-star rating from HealthGrades.  If all hospitals performed at a five-star level, more than 5,000 patients could have avoided one or more in hospital complications.  Complications associated with bariatric surgery include heart attack, kidney failure, stroke and post-surgical infections.

Morbid obesity is a growing epidemic and major public health problem in America that contributes to additional serious health risks.  The American Society for Bariatric Surgery estimates that such surgeries have increased 1,431 percent in the last decade to more than 250,000 annually.

“This designation by HealthGrades is another affirmation of the high quality, comprehensive program Bon Secours is providing for our community,” said Susan A. MacLeod, executive vice president/administrator, Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center.  “At Bon Secours Maryview, we are committed to delivering award-winning care.”   
For its 2008/2009 bariatric surgery ratings, HealthGrades independently analyzed the quality of care at hospitals in the 17 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. Average mortality rate in five star-rated facilities was almost half the rate of all other U.S. hospitals.
HealthGrades’ study identified the following:

• 93 hospitals stand out as “best” performers (5-star rated)
• 263 hospitals were rated as “as expected” performers (3-star rated)
• 99 hospitals were rated as “poor” performers (1-star rated)

 “The tremendous variation we are seeing in quality among bariatric surgery providers underscores the importance of readily available quality data to help consumers make a truly informed decision about where to seek care,” said Rick May, MD, a senior physician consultant with HealthGrades and an author of the study.

HealthGrades’ bariatric surgery ratings are published on the Web, free of charge, at www.healthgrades.com.  Ratings for 27 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. 

Bon Secours Surgical Weight Loss Center was named American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (AMBS) Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the Surgical Review Corporation, and recognized as a five star bariatric program by HealthGrades, ranking number one in Virginia based on patient outcomes.   The program has provided care to more than 1,400 individuals to overcome the physical and emotional challenges associated with morbid obesity.