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Bariatric surgery is arguably one of the most effective treatments available for reducing obesity and obesity-associated complications such as diabetes. Consequently, bariatric surgery has been an increasingly accepted approach for treating obesity and obesity-related complications. Drs Tapan Mehta and David Allison investigated how much variation in outcomes is too much in a center of excellence for bariatric surgery. Coincident with the greater acceptance of these operations has been increased attention on improving the safety and quality of care for patients who undergo bariatric surgery and reducing health care costs. One approach attempting to improve patient safety was the establishment of bariatric centers of excellence (COEs). These 2 independent efforts were combined in 2012 into a single Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program that designates bariatric surgery centers as COEs. The 7 core standards for accreditation address case volume, commitment to quality, appropriate use of equipment and instruments, critical care support, continuum of care, data collection, and continuous quality improvement.
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