Berlin, Md. – CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield has recognized Atlantic General
Hospital with a Blue Distinction® Center designation in the area of
bariatric surgery for the Atlantic General Bariatric Center as part of
the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers
are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver quality
specialty care based on objective measures that were developed with input
from the medical community for patient safety and better health outcomes.
To receive a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery designation,
a healthcare facility must demonstrate success in meeting patient safety
as well as bariatric-specific quality measures, including complications
and readmissions, for gastric stapling and/or gastric banding procedures.
A healthcare facility must also have earned national accreditations at
both the facility level and the bariatric care-specific level.
Bariatric surgeries are among the most common elective surgeries in the
U.S., which provides a significant opportunity to improve quality within
the healthcare system. Atlantic General Hospital is proud to be recognized
by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield for meeting the rigorous selection criteria
for bariatric surgery set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.
Research shows that facilities designated as Blue Distinction Centers
demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients compared
with their peers.
The Atlantic General Bariatric Center offers a variety of surgical procedures,
including sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and laparoscopic banding
(lap-band). At the Atlantic General Bariatric Center and within one comprehensive
program, patients have access to a comprehensive medical evaluation, dietary
monitoring and support, pre- and post-operative counseling and resources,
and an online patients support group and community.
For more information about Atlantic General Bariatric Center
and its services,
visit www.atlanticgeneral.org/bariatrics.
Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients
find quality providers for their specialty care needs in the areas of
bariatric surgery, cardiac care, maternity care, complex and rare cancers,
knee and hip replacements, spine surgery, and transplants while encouraging
healthcare professionals to improve the care they deliver. For more information
about the program and for a complete listing of the designated facilities,
please visit
www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.
About Atlantic General Hospital
Atlantic General Hospital has been providing quality health care to the
residents of Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset (Md.) and Sussex (Del.) counties
since May 1993. Built by the commitment and generosity of a dedicated
community, the hospital’s state-of-the-art facility in Berlin, Md.,
combines personal attention with the latest in technology and services.
It provides quality specialty care such as weight loss surgery, orthopedics,
outpatient infusion for individuals with cancer or blood/autoimmune disorders,
retina surgery and a comprehensive women’s diagnostic center. Atlantic
General Health System, its network of more than 40 primary care providers
and specialists, care for residents and visitors throughout the region.
For more information about Atlantic General Hospital, visit
www.atlanticgeneral.org.
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