All authorities suggest weight loss surgery must be done with a properly constructed program utilizing a “multidisciplinary approach”, in an “appropriate facility” by properly “experienced and trained surgeons” and provide “long-term” follow-up. Bridging Health Options can assist you in meeting their guidelines and all the other standards of care.
Our approach is to determine your goals and needs. We offer you a proposal that provides our services where we think it will help you the most.
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What We Do...
- Review facilities to determine level of compliance with standards in regard to equipment and supplies appropriate for treatment of the morbidly obese (A written report is provided with recommendations);
- Provide quality control guideline consultations for hospital processes, e.g., Surgeon Credentialing, Quality Assurance, Continuous Performance Improvement, Case Management, Utilization Review, Coding, Clinical Pathways;
- Provide assistance in devising effective Bariatric Surgery Oversight and effective Risk Management;
- Describe financial models that work towards fiscal success;
- Assist with inservices to personnel in re sensitivity to obesity patient issues, description and rationale for the “program” and clinical care of morbidly obese patients;
- Assist with community education/public relations program to enhance facility image;
- Establish a patient support/preparation program that meets or exceeds all guidelines;
- Assist with design, location, furnishing and staffing appropriate office space;
- Provide Policies and Procedures, Patient Manuals, design all necessary forms and logos, etc.;
- Provide all patient protocols necessary to complete the “multidisciplinary” process and document informed consent; and
- Establish an insurance processing procedure to obtain pre-authorization, pre-certification and overturn denials.
- Make available BariBase, our copyrighted, trademarked computer database program which allows for greater efficiency;
- Design a marketing/advertising campaign;
- Establish long-term support group protocols for effective support groups;
- Act as facilitator for any advanced surgery training that may be desired;
BHO also offers management services. We can manage your program on a fee for service, risk sharing arrangement.
Description of Services...
Facility Review
Purpose: Helps determine appropriateness of facility for bariatric surgery
- BHO physically inspects all departments and areas in hospital that bariatric patients use
- Evaluates attitudes of personnel toward bariatric surgery program
- Provides written report of findings
Inservice Education for Hospital Personnel
Purpose: Increases staff knowledge and confidence in establishing a bariatric program
- Provided by M.D. or RN experienced in care of morbidly obese
- The nature of morbid obesity
- The rationale for surgical treatment
- Description of surgical procedures
- Sensitivity and compassion issues
- Clinical care
- Description of program and its need
Scientific Presentation to Medical Staff
Purpose: Successful programs benefit from support of the entire medical staff – the expected complications and medical justification for obesity surgery are documented
- Provided by surgeon experienced in Bariatric surgery
- The nature of morbid obesity
- The medical justification for surgical treatment
- Description of program and why program is needed
Community Relations/Marketing/Advertising
Purpose: To provide a steady stream of appropriate patients
- Provide demographic data
- Do market analysis (Cost depends on complexity)
- Design public education programs and conduct public seminars (2) featuring your hospital and surgeon(s)
- Suggest/outline advertising campaign
- Manage community relations/marketing/advertising
- Separate cost for this service is: by Contract depending on complexity of market analysis desired
Quality Control
Purpose: Decrease exposure to risk and increase reimbursement
- Present suggested surgeon credentialing criteria with justification
- Provide criteria for CQI/concurrent program evaluation
- Provide criteria for medical staff quality review (peer review)
- Provide criteria for case management/utilization review
- Provide suggested coding for bariatric surgery
- Provide suggested care map and clinical guidelines
- Suggest appropriate oversight plan for facility
- Includes all necessary liaison with appropriate personnel and committees
Data Management
Upgrade to include research grade package for statistical analysis of outcome data.
Purpose: Maintain complete and accurate patient and surgery information
- BariBase –a complete office management program
- Complete patient demographic information
- Detailed Medical and Diet History
- Forms and Letters necessary in the day to day operation of program are automatically generated with the push of a button
- Instant update on patient status (insurance, medical/psychological evaluation, etc.)
- Includes Follow-Up (Appointments, Weight Loss, Support Group Attendance, Lab Work, etc.)
- Outcome data available (Surgical Procedure Graph, Number of Surgeries in Queue, Number of Consults Plotted, Inquiries tallied and in Pie Chart Form, etc.)
- Includes a physician database
- User friendly
Surgical Support Program
Purpose: Successful day to day operation of bariatric program and quality patient care
- Physical Plant (including complete furnishings, equipment, employee hiring, BariBase software and computer network setup)
- Policy and Procedure Manual
- Form Manual
- Patient Manual(s) (Surgery Specific)
- Support Group Manual and design
- Emergency Response Card(s) (Surgery Specific)
- On-Site Training
Management Services
- BHO will manage the support program under a management contract
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