February 13, 2023 – HCA Florida Brandon Hospital has been recognized among 101 facilities across the nation as one of the Best Hospitals for Bariatric Surgery by Money.com and The Leapfrog Group. HCA Florida Brandon Hospital is the only facility with an active bariatric program in the Tampa Bay area to earn this designation.
Money.com created this distinguished list in partnership with The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers, focused on healthcare safety and quality. The list identifies the best hospitals for bariatric surgery that consistently deliver the safest, highest-value care for patients and excellence in hospital experience.
“We always strive to provide the treatment patients need and the quality of care they deserve,” said Dr. Alan Harmatz, chief medical officer at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital. “This recognition demonstrates just how well the bariatric program at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital performs, while also providing the highest quality of care in a safe and compassionate environment.”
The designation is based on four factors:
- Hospitals must achieve the Leapfrog standard for bariatric surgery, including:
- the annual volume of bariatric procedures must be at least 50, and
- the hospital’s privileging process must include the surgeon performing at least 20 procedures.
- Hospitals must achieve the Leapfrog standard for a Safe Surgery Checklist.
- Hospitals must have fewer than the expected number of infections for central line bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) (Standardized Infection Ration less than 1).
- Hospitals must receive an A or B Leapfrog Safety Grade.
“We are honored to be recognized for this accomplishment, based on the volume and safety of the bariatric surgeries that are performed at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital,” said Tripp Owings, chief executive officer at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital. “We hope to be an outstanding option for those that are considering weight-loss surgery.”
HCA Florida Brandon Hospital received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group in the Fall of 2022. The national distinction recognizes the hospital’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and errors.
About HCA Florida Brandon Hospital
Accredited by The Joint Commission, HCA Florida Brandon Hospital is a 455-bed acute care facility that is nationally ranked as a Top 100 Hospital by IBM Watson. The hospital offers a number of specialty services including a Heart and Vascular Center of Excellence, Children’s Emergency Center, Inpatient Rehabilitation Center, Burn and Plastic Surgery Center, Weight Loss Surgery Center of Excellence, Comprehensive Stroke Center and The Women’s Center, which includes the baby suites and Level III neonatal intensive care units. Additional services include an orthopedic program, comprehensive hand program and lymphedema surgery. The hospital’s ER is one of the busiest in the state, with adult and children’s centers on its main campus and five additional emergency locations in Lakeland, New Tampa, Plant City, Riverview and Temple Terrace. The hospital is located at 119 Oakfield Drive in Brandon, FL. For more information, visit HCAFloridaBrandonHospital.com.
