St. John’s Weight Loss Surgery Institute Recognized with the Blue Distinction® Center for Bariatric Surgery designation

The St. John's Weight Loss Surgery Institute program offers all of the key components that contribute to weight loss success.

OXNARD, CA - March 5, 2018 –  The St. John’s Weight Loss Surgery Institute at St. John’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) has been recognized with the Blue Distinction® Center for Bariatric Surgery designation as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated health care facilities that show expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community.

To receive a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery designation, a health care facility must demonstrate success in meeting patient safety measures as well as bariatric-specific quality measures, including complication and readmission rate for laparoscopic procedures in sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and adjustable gastric band. A health care facility must also be nationally accredited at both the facility and bariatric program-specific levels.

In 2017, the Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery program expanded to include not only the type of service provided, but also the site of care. Health care facilities were evaluated as either a comprehensive center or as an ambulatory surgery center. 

“This most recent accolade highlights the program and hospital’s commitment to helping people live healthier lives. Being designated as Blue Distinction Center assures our patients that the bariatric surgery program at St. John’s adheres to the highest standards in patient safety and outcomes,” said Helmuth Billy, MD, Medical Director of the St. John’s Weight Loss Surgery Institute. “We are pleased that our efforts to achieve excellence in patient education, outcome and long-term support are being recognized. This achievement means patients can be confident that the best results they can experience will be at the St. John’s Weight Loss Surgery Institute.” 

Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, maternity care, knee and hip replacements, spine surgery, and transplants, while encouraging health care professionals to improve the care they deliver. Research shows that, compared to other health care facilities, those designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients. 

“Earning Blue Distinction is a testament to the commitment of the hospital, staff and the bariatric surgeons to patient safety and excellence in outcomes,” said Amir Mehran, MD, Bariatric Surgeon at the St. John’s Weight Loss Surgery Institute.

The St. John’s Weight Loss Surgery Institute program offers all of the key components that contribute to weight loss success:

• Free seminars and patient education
• Extensive physical and psychological assessments and support
• Post-operative visits, calls, lab tests, and monitoring
• Nutritional and lifestyle modification counseling
• Customized fitness program
• Personal assistance with navigating insurance coverage
• Bilingual language assistance (English/Spanish)

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About Dignity Health St. John’s Regional Medical Center
St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard is a recipient of the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence and rated among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care by Healthgrades. St. John’s Regional is a member of Dignity Health Central Coast, an integrated network of top quality hospitals, with physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services - all recognized for quality, safety and service. Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central Coast region include Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo. Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities.