Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP)

Abstract

Metabolic and bariatric procedures provide effective solutions for durable weight loss. This helps to alleviate obesity-related comorbidities and reduce mortality in the morbidly obese population. As such, healthcare facilities are preparing to meet the everincreasing demand for these services. The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) was started to achieve a single set of national accreditation standards for bariatric surgery centers in the United States and Canada by combining the accreditation programs of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Accreditation is for a period of 3 years. Designations include low acuity centers, comprehensive centers, comprehensive centers with adolescent qualifications, and adolescent centers, depending on fulfillment of criteria. Better outcomes have been documented in patients who undergo bariatric surgery at accredited centers than those who undergo such procedure at non-accredited centers.