Women's Choice Award® Designates Monongahela Valley Hospital as One of America's Best Hospitals for Bariatric Surgery
For the second consecutive year, the Women's Choice Award® has recognized Monongahela Valley Hospital as One of America's Best Hospitals for Bariatric Surgery. MVH is one of 202 award recipients representing the hospitals that have met the highest standards for bariatric surgery across the U.S. The 2021 award signifies that MVH is in the top 3% of the 4,542 U.S. hospitals reviewed.
The methodology for the bariatric surgery award is unique in that it combines national accreditations, Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results and hospital outcome scores with primary research about women's health care preferences. It is the only award recognizing excellence in bariatric surgery based on robust criteria that consider patient satisfaction and clinical excellence. MVH achieved the America's Best distinction by meeting the following criteria:
- Accreditation by the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery joint-sponsored Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).
- At least 72% of patients reporting on the HCAHPS survey that they would definitely recommend the hospital.
- A high patient safety ranking based on 11 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' measures of infection and complication rate.
"Women tend to be very selective when choosing hospitals. We take pride in helping them choose with confidence by verifying the hospitals that are the very best at providing patient care," said Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women's Choice Award. "There are many women who struggle with their weight, especially as they age. For some, diet and exercise alone aren't enough and they need to turn to bariatric procedures to reduce their weight for their overall good health."
An American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery study found that the risk of death from any cause is considerably less for bariatric patients than for individuals affected by severe obesity who have never had the surgery. The data shows that cancer mortality is reduced by 60% for bariatric surgery patients and death as a result of diabetes and heart disease is reduced by more than 90% and 40%, respectively.
"Our Weight and Wellness Program, which includes bariatric surgery, has been very well received in our community," explained Louis J. Panza Jr., president and CEO of Monongahela Valley Hospital. "We are very pleased to offer people this surgery that improves their quality of life."
In addition to the Women's Choice Award, MVH has been recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.