title: Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Initiatives in Contemporary Metabolic and Bariatric Surgical Practice.
abstract: Patient safety and quality improvement have been part of bariatric surgery since its inception, and there have been significant improvements in outcomes of bariatric surgery over the past 2 decades. A strong accreditation program exists. This program defines 2 tiers of accredited centers: low-acuity and comprehensive centers similar to the trauma systems. Accreditation has been shown to have a favorable impact on outcomes of bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery lends itself well to improvements in processes and use of perioperative protocols, such as ulcer and thromboembolic prophylaxis prevention or gallstone prevention and management.
authors.affiliation: Section of Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, H3680A, Stanford, CA 94305-5655, USA.
authors.forename: Dan E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Azagury
authors.affiliation: Section of Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, H3680A, Stanford, CA 94305-5655, USA. Electronic address: morton@stanford.edu.
authors.forename: John Magaña
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Morton
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010359:Patient Readmission; D061214:Patient Safety; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D058996:Quality Improvement; D014481:United States
keywords: Bariatric surgery; Outcomes; Patient safety; Quality improvement