April 11, 2011 (CHARLESTON, SC) - The National Association For Continence (NAFC) designated the Virginia Mason Medical Center's Pelvic Floor Center as a Center of Excellence (COE): Continence Care. Virginia Mason is the first medical center in Western U.S. to receive this honor and joins only one other medical center in the country that has achieved this status. Drs. Fred Govier, Kathleen Kobashi, Alvaro Lucioni and Ksenija Stefanovic are the principal physicians in this COE.

It's estimated that over 25 million adult Americans experience loss of bladder or bowel control. Because age is a risk factor for such health problems, the prevalence of those experiencing these problems is likely to grow because of the aging baby boomer generation. Each day another 10,000 Americans turn 65 years of age. NAFC's National Centers of Excellence: Continence Care program was established to offer consumers, seeking solutions to their bladder and bowel control problems and related pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), a reliable, trustworthy means of finding an experienced and credentialed expert. The COE designation is based on evidence of extensive training, clinical experience, interdisciplinary resources and patient satisfaction statistics that meet established standards. Health care institutions seeking to apply for this designation must first meet prequalification requirements set by NAFC and its COE Review Committee. A complete list of the requirements can be found on NAFC's website.

A multi-step process must be completed to achieve COE status. First, a qualified health care facility, together with two or more physicians, completes an application. Once minimal requirements are deemed satisfied, patient satisfaction data collection is then initiated by means of a confidential survey, results of which are analyzed and discussed with all individuals who are a part of the application, for interim status. Once interim status is achieved, a qualified NAFC staff member makes a visit to the facility and interviews the entire team of providers and the support staff. A full written report is subsequently submitted to the COE Review Committee to determine if COE designation can be granted or if additional data is needed. From beginning to end the entire process is patient-centered in criteria. Fully approved status is valid for three years before renewal.

Recognized nationally for their expertise in prostate cancer, incontinence, erectile dysfunction and sexual dysfunction, the Virginia Mason urologists have played a vital role at the medical center for more than 80 years. "I am proud to be a part of the Virginia Mason team, which fosters excellence in patient care and constantly strives to provide outstanding medical education for the betterment of our community," stated Kathleen Kobashi, MD. In regards to the pelvic floor specialty Fred Govier, MD, said "Continued advances in surgical techniques, pharmacology and technology have kept the field very exciting and have allowed us to better serve our patients."

"This is a great honor for our Pelvic Floor Center and Virginia Mason," said Jim Cote, vice president of clinic operations. "Our team of providers and staff are well-respected and sought for their comprehensive, collaborative approach to incontinence care and other pelvic floor challenges. This can be a difficult and deeply personal issue for our patients. I'm confident this Center of Excellence recognition upholds our team members' commitment to exceptional patient care and service." In 2010, more than 7,500 patents were diagnosed and treated at Virginia Mason's Pelvic Floor Center.

About Virginia Mason Pelvic Floor Center
Since its inception in 2000, Virginia Mason's Pelvic Floor Center has successfully treated more than 2,500 surgical patients. Virginia Mason physicians have researched and launched many of the newer techniques for treating female incontinence, which are now in widespread use across the country and around the world. Virginia Mason's highly respected physician teams, as well as specialized nurse clinicians, provide collaborative care for patients at clinic locations including Seattle, Bellevue, Federal Way, Issaquah and Lynnwood. Virginia Mason Medical Center, founded in 1920, is a nonprofit comprehensive regional health care system in Seattle that combines a primary and specialty care group practice of more than 440 physicians with a 336-bed acute-care hospital.