The Current Status and Necessity of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation System in Foreign Country

ABSTRACT

In United States, national facility accreditation in bariatric surgery was first implemented in 2004 by the ASMBS and by the ACS in 2005. The two programs unified to a single program in 2012 the MBSAQIP (Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation & Quality Improvement Program). Accreditation in bariatric surgery signifies that the center has the infrastructure and equipment to care for the morbidly obese, has experienced and qualified staff and surgeons, and participates in data reporting and quality improvement initiatives. In an effort to improve the quality of service offered to bariatric patients worldwide, IFSO elected to form an international board that will advise and endorse national and regional 'centers of excellence' programs. The creation of guidelines that could be applied to different global areas and define surgeon's credentials and institutional requirements for safe and efficient management of morbidly obese patients was the main task. Substantial data have shown that the presence of bariatric facility accreditation is associated with improved outcomes. Therefore, we have to develop and establish a new metabolic and bariatric surgery accreditation system for surgeons and facilities adapted to our country to ensure the safe and effective performance of bariatric surgery.