Forest Hills Hospital's Bariatric Surgery Program: Only Queens Hospital to Receive Center of Excellence Distinction
September 4, 2007
After undergoing a comprehensive evaluation process, Forest Hills Hospital has been accredited as a bariatric center of excellence by the American College of Surgeons. Forest Hills is one of 53 hospitals nationwide and the only one in Queens to obtain the College’s certification.
To receive accreditation, the hospital’s bariatric program underwent a rigorous six-month evaluation by the College. The process included thorough examinations of the operating, emergency, endoscopy and dialysis rooms, a review of medical charts and patient outcomes, along with extensive interviews of surgeons, psychiatrists, medicine and rehab physicians, nutritionists, nurses, and support staff. The review analyzed the degree to which the hospital accommodates and cares for its bariatric patients, including education, quality of care, surgical and case management, services and equipment available, as well as the level of training and experience of surgeons and other clinical staff. The college commended the hospital’s staff for “providing high quality care” in its review.
“Since 2003, the bariatric program at Forest Hills hospital has offered patients both Lap-Band and gastric bypass surgery,” said Moises Tenembaum, MD, FACS, director of surgery. “The accreditation by the college confirms the high standard of care we provide.”
Michael Drew, MD, FACS, the hospital’s associate director of surgery concurred. “We perform nearly 100 bariatric surgeries per year,” he said. “Our program has a stellar reputation in the community and the review by the College of Surgeons further cements that reputation.”
Robert Hettenbach, executive director, recognized that bariatric surgery can significantly improve the quality of life and overall health status of patients. “The hospital adheres to the rigorous quality and safety standards of the North Shore-LIJ Health System. We are proud that this has been recognized and that we have been designated as a Center of Excellence by the American College of Surgeons.”
Media Contacts: Ted Lehman (718) 830-1964 and Brian Mulligan (516) 465-2618
To receive accreditation, the hospital’s bariatric program underwent a rigorous six-month evaluation by the College. The process included thorough examinations of the operating, emergency, endoscopy and dialysis rooms, a review of medical charts and patient outcomes, along with extensive interviews of surgeons, psychiatrists, medicine and rehab physicians, nutritionists, nurses, and support staff. The review analyzed the degree to which the hospital accommodates and cares for its bariatric patients, including education, quality of care, surgical and case management, services and equipment available, as well as the level of training and experience of surgeons and other clinical staff. The college commended the hospital’s staff for “providing high quality care” in its review.
“Since 2003, the bariatric program at Forest Hills hospital has offered patients both Lap-Band and gastric bypass surgery,” said Moises Tenembaum, MD, FACS, director of surgery. “The accreditation by the college confirms the high standard of care we provide.”
Michael Drew, MD, FACS, the hospital’s associate director of surgery concurred. “We perform nearly 100 bariatric surgeries per year,” he said. “Our program has a stellar reputation in the community and the review by the College of Surgeons further cements that reputation.”
Robert Hettenbach, executive director, recognized that bariatric surgery can significantly improve the quality of life and overall health status of patients. “The hospital adheres to the rigorous quality and safety standards of the North Shore-LIJ Health System. We are proud that this has been recognized and that we have been designated as a Center of Excellence by the American College of Surgeons.”
Media Contacts: Ted Lehman (718) 830-1964 and Brian Mulligan (516) 465-2618