Summerville Medical Center's Bariatric Program receives MBSAQIP re-accreditation

Summerville Medical Center and Coastal Carolina Bariatrics & Surgical Center are proud to announce that the hospital’s bariatric program has received re-accreditation as a Comprehensive Center with Obesity Medicine Qualifications by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), a joint Quality Program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

More than 13 years ago, Summerville Medical Center and the practice of Coastal Carolina Bariatrics & Surgical Center launched the bariatric program for patients seeking weight loss options for obesity. The nationally accredited program meets the highest standards for patient safety and quality across Dorchester County and surrounding communities.

Summerville Medical Center’s commitment to quality care begins with expertly trained staff and the leadership of the program’s experienced bariatric medical director, Dr. Logan Rawlins. The program is tasked with continuous review of data as they continue improving the structure and outcomes expertise necessary to provide safe, efficacious, and high-quality care to all metabolic and bariatric patients.

“Bariatric Center of Excellence accreditation represents the highest level of quality care,” commented Dr Rawlins. ”We are so very appreciative of all of our staff whose tireless efforts and hard work allow us to achieve such great heights. This collaborative effort and dedication to excellence enables our program to provide the best bariatric care to patients in the Lowcountry.”

To earn MBSAQIP Accreditation, the bariatric program met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure and patient care pathways, ensuring its ability to support patients with obesity. The center also participates in a national data registry that yields semiannual reports on the quality of its surgical outcomes and identifying opportunities for quality improvement. The MBSAQIP Standards, Optimal Resources for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, are published by the ACS and the ASMBS. 

After applying for MBSAQIP Accreditation, the program underwent an extensive site visit by an experienced bariatric surgeon who reviewed the program’s structure, processes and clinical outcomes data. Facilities that earn accreditation are awarded a specific designation level, depending on how many patients it serves annually, critical care capabilities, and the types of procedures provided.

“Summerville Medical Center is proud to be among the elite number of facilities in the area that have been rated as an Accredited Comprehensive Center with Obesity Medicine Qualifications by the MBSAQIP,” said Stephen Chandler, CEO of Summerville Medical Center. “This means our bariatrics team has demonstrated compliance with the MBSAQIP’s rigorous quality standards and reinforces our dedication to providing patient-centered care. We are committed to being a lifestyle educator, a skilled medical partner, and a trusted support team as our patients continue on their weight loss journey.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates about 93 million adults in the United States are affected by obesity and that number continues to increase. The disease of obesity increases the risks of morbidity and mortality because of the diseases and conditions that are commonly associated with it, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, among other health risks. Metabolic and bariatric surgery has proven to be effective in the reduction of comorbid conditions related to obesity. Working together, the ACS and the ASMBS have developed accreditation standards for metabolic and bariatric surgery to assist patients with obesity in identifying centers that provide optimal patient care.