Bariatric Times July/August 2007

Bariatric Center Spotlight Bariatric Times • July/August 2007 In addition to its state-of-the-art technology, University General Hospital is also focused on patient and family comfort. director and manager determine department specific competencies. These competencies are either procedures or interventions, which are determined to be low frequency, low volume, and/or problem prone. One or more of the following methods will be utilized to validate competency for a new employee: verbal interaction feedback, return demonstration/direct observation, online testing, and proctoring. makeup artist, plastic surgery and surgeons, exercise and physical trainers. Our program dietitian attends all support group meetings and addresses all nutritional questions. University General also hosts an online support group. Many of our patients travel from out of town for surgery and are not able to attend live support group meetings but are in need of support. Our online support group has proven to be a very active and positive forum that positively supports patients. Our online message board is consistently monitored by our bariatric program's director, dietitian, psychologist, and medical director to ensure all medically related issues are answered appropriately. Another support program we have is a quarterly clothing exchange. This program is a very positive way for patients to support each other through their weight loss process and mitigates costly clothing expenses that occur following weight loss surgery for our patients. All remaining clothing from this exchange is donated to charity. PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR PATIENT EDUCATION PROGRAM. WHAT TYPES OF PATIENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED AT YOUR FACILITY? Our hospital-based patient education program is a multipronged program that provides patient education via the following: (1) initial patient introduction and educational seminar, (2) nutritional education via evaluation, consultation, and weekly nutritional classes (three per week), (3) psychological evaluation and consultation, and (4) ongoing support. Our bariatric program staff are available to all program patients before and after surgery. Additionally, each surgeon and their designated office staff meet with patients prior to surgery and continue the education process throughout patient follow-up. As it relates to support group services, University General offers monthly meetings that include both a guest speaker and emotional support. Support group meetings are typically two hours in duration. Group discussion topics and guest speakers represent a wide spectrum of topical items important to our patients, such as: meditation, cooking, fashion, psychologist, WHAT LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP MEASURES ARE PRACTICED AT YOUR FACILITY? University General has implemented the Remedy MD database for all bariatric patients. This online system can be accessed and updated by both our hospital staff and the doctors' offices. A database entry assistant, another member of our team, works with our program staff and doctors to maintain data by entering updates and routing patient follow-up action items as appropriate. http://www.bariatricadvantage.com http://www.bariatricadvantage.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Bariatric Times July/August 2007

Cover Editorial Message Table of Contents Editorial Board Letter to the Editor Malpractice Preventative Maintenance: Record Protocols and Happy Lawyers Resolution of Fibromyalgia Following Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass University General Hospital Bariatric Program at University General Hospital Journal Watch Category List Trade Name Index Company Index Products and Services

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