ATLANTIC GENERAL HOSPITAL RECOGNIZED FOR QUALITY BARIATRIC SURGERY

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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