Inova Hospitals Among Nation’s Top 5 Percent for Clinical Excellence
January 26th, 2010
National Study Finds Hospitals Deliver Consistent Quality Care
Falls Church, VA – Inova Alexandria, Inova Fair Oaks, Inova Fairfax and Inova Loudoun hospitals earned the 2010 Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence Award™ by HealthGrades, an independent healthcare-ratings organization.
HealthGrades analyzed patient outcomes during 2006, 2007 and 2008 from nearly 5,000 hospitals nationwide. Just 269 hospitals — about 5 percent — received the Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence Award.
HealthGrades found that if all hospitals performed at the level of Distinguished Hospitals, more than 150,000 deaths may have been prevented and more than 13,000 in-hospital complications may have been avoided. On average, patients who are treated at a Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence are 29 percent less likely to face in-hospital mortality and 9 percent less likely to suffer from in-hospital complications.
“Patients in communities with a Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence should feel proud of the hospital’s accomplishments, and confident that the level of care there is among the very best in the nation,” said Rick May, MD, a vice president with HealthGrades and an author of the study.
For the full list of the 269 award-winning hospitals, go to www.HealthGrades.com.
Health Grades, Inc. (Nasdaq: HGRD – News) is the leading independent healthcare ratings organization, providing quality ratings, profiles and cost information on the nation’s hospitals, physicians, nursing homes and prescription drugs. Millions of patients and many of the nation’s largest employers, health plans and hospitals rely on HealthGrades’ quality ratings, advisory services and decision-support resources. The HealthGrades Network of Web sites, including HealthGrades.com and WrongDiagnosis.com, is a top-ten health property according to ComScore and is the Internet’s leading destination for patients choosing providers. More information on the company can be found at www.healthgrades.com.
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.
Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children Medical Team Traveling to Haiti on Relief Mission
January 14th, 2010
Physicians, Nurses Specializing in Pediatrics to Care for the Wounded
Falls Church, VA – In response to Tuesday’s earthquake in Haiti, a medical team from Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children is traveling to the island nation to offer emergency triage care. As part of a coordinated relief effort with the non-profit Community Coalition for Haiti (CCH), the hospital’s medical response team will depart for Haiti as soon as the airport in Port-au-Prince is ready and the team has received clearance to travel (most likely sometime this weekend).
“This devastating event has left millions of Haitians without basic necessities like food, water and medical care,” said Knox Singleton, CEO, Inova Health System. “Inova has a longstanding relationship with CCH and the wonderful people of Haiti. It is our absolute obligation to offer our services and expertise to as many of the sick and wounded as we possibly can.”
Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children has also partnered with Father Rick Frechette, a Roman Catholic priest ministering in Haiti, who founded St. Damien Hospital for Children in Port-au-Prince. Utilizing St. Damien Children’s Hospital as a triage and emergency-care facility, aid from the medical team will encompass clinical care by pediatric physicians, surgeons and specialists, and humanitarian care in the form of medicine, food, clothing and clean water.
Inova officials also are shipping pallets of life-sustaining emergency supplies, such as bandages, gauze, intravenous fluids, water, baby formula, catheters and crutches.
Inova has set up a fund through the Inova Health System Foundation that will funnel 100 percent of the money donated to CCH and other international aid organizations that have immediate ability to help the people of Haiti. To contribute to Haitian earthquake relief efforts, go to inova.org/donate, then click the “Make an online gift today” link. When filling out the form, be sure to choose “Haiti Relief” from the Designation drop-down list. Those interested in contributing may also call 703-289-2072.
Inova Blood Donor Services Urges Public to Donate Blood during National Blood Donor Month
January 6th, 2010
Each Donation Can Save up to Three Lives
Sterling, VA — Inova Blood Donor Services (IBDS) is encouraging individuals to participate in National Blood Donor Month. Observed throughout the month of January, National Blood Donor Month provides an opportunity for people to donate blood or pledge to give blood at a time of the year when it is typically in short supply.
“Every donation can save up to three lives, so becoming a regular blood donor is an excellent way to make a difference in one’s community,” says Terri Craddock, director, Inova Blood Donor Services. “Our goal is to help ensure that blood is available to patients whenever and wherever it is needed, because it is the blood on the shelves that saves lives.”
With a shelf life of only 42 days, blood is traditionally in short supply during the winter months, when regular blood donors’ schedules can be adversely affected due to the holidays, travel schedules, inclement weather and illness. January, in particular, is a difficult month for blood centers to collect blood donations.
A reduction in turnout can put our nation’s blood inventory at a critical low. Every day in our country, approximately 39,000 units of blood are required in hospitals and emergency-treatment facilities for patients with cancer and other diseases, for organ transplant recipients, and to help save the lives of accident victims.
In recognition of National Blood Door Month, IBDS is thanking donors with an embroidered fleece scarf throughout the month of January. Individuals who are at least 17 years of age (16-year-olds can donate with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and meet other general requirements may be eligible to donate blood.
IBDS encourages donors and potential donors to make giving blood a regular part of their lives. Those interested in donating blood are encouraged to visit inova.org/donateblood or call 1-866-BLOODSAVES to find a convenient blood-donation site and to schedule an appointment.
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.
Inova Health System Offering H1N1 Shots to Public
January 5th, 2010
Vaccine Highly Recommended for Children, Pregnant Women
Falls Church, VA – Inova Health System is offering 2009 novel H1N1 vaccinations as well as seasonal influenza vaccinations to children and adults at its hospital-based clinics through the end of the month. The H1N1 vaccine is the most effective way of preventing the spread of the H1N1 virus.
Persons at high risk for serious complications from H1N1 and seasonal influenza include:
- Children and young adults six months to 24 years of age
- Adults 50 and over
- Adults and children who have medical conditions that lower the body’s immune system, such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and HIV, among others
- Persons who live in, work at or have contact with anyone in institutions, such as schools, nursing homes and/or hospitals
- Women who are pregnant in any trimester, or who may deliver during flu season
The cost for the seasonal flu vaccine is $25 per person (cash or check accepted). The cost for the H1N1 vaccine is $10 per person (cash or check accepted). Medicare Part B is also accepted for influenza and H1N1 vaccinations.
H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccinations are being offered at:
Inova Alexandria Hospital
1/8, 1/15, 1/22
HEC Auditorium
3 – 6 p.m.
4320 Seminary Road
Alexandria, VA 22304
Inova Fairfax Hospital
1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30
The Atrium
9 a.m. – noon
3300 Gallows Road
Falls Church, VA 22042
Inova Fair Oaks Hospital
1/16, 1/23
Medical Plaza Building Conference Room
12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
3700 Joseph Siewick Drive
Fairfax, VA 22033
Inova Loudoun Hospital
1/17
Conference Room A&B
noon – 3 p.m.
44045 Riverside Parkway
Leesburg, VA 20176
Inova Mount Vernon Hospital
1/12
Hospital Lobby
9 a.m. – noon
2501 Parker’s Lane
Alexandria, VA 22306
For more information about immunizations and locations, call 703-750-8818 (or call 1-877-895-5BUG, toll-free) or visit inova.org/flu.
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.
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