Inova Hospitals Implement Visitation Limitations for Flu Season
January 11th, 2013
Curbing Influenza exposure top priority
FALLS CHURCH, VA – Due to the outbreak of influenza (flu) throughout Northern Virginia, effective January 11, 2013, all Inova hospitals have instituted temporary changes to their visitation policy. The following measures apply until further notice. Patient care companions are exempt.
- No visitors under the age of 18
- No visitors with any symptoms of influenza-like illness
- Two blocks of visiting hours – from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Visitors will be limited to two persons
- Visitors may be issued masks or other protective clothing for use when visiting
- For *Women’s and Children’s Units additional measures may apply.
- Patient care companions are exempt
*Please note Inova Women’s Hospital’s (at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus) visitation guidelines:
- Visitors will be limited to spouses/significant others and grandparents only.
- Spouses/significant others will be exempted from limits to visiting hours
- With the exception of Labor and Delivery, grandparent visitation hours: 11am-1pm and 6pm-8pm.
- All visitors may be screened for flu-like symptoms.
- High Risk Perinatal unit- additional measures will apply based on a case by case approval by physician.
“These temporary measures will help protect against influenza infection of the most vulnerable among us, including inpatients with compromised immune systems as well as our caregivers,” observed Dr. Loring Flint, Inova’s Chief Medical Officer. “We appreciate everyone’s consideration and cooperation as, together, we work to assure the health and safety of our community during this challenging flu season.”
For more information on Inova flu vaccination clinics, please visit “Inova Schedules Additional Flu Vaccination Clinics”
Inova is a not-for-profit healthcare system located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, serving over two million people with over 1,700 licensed beds based in Northern Virginia. Inova consists of five hospitals including the area’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care unit. Inova encompasses many health services including the nationally and internationally recognized Inova Heart and Vascular Institute (IHVI), Inova Translational Medicine Institute (ITMI) on genomics, Inova Neuroscience Institute and Inova Children’s Hospital. Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. More information and statistics about Inova is at www.inova.org.
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Quality Matters – Inova’s 2011/2012 Quality Report
November 12th, 2012
First, do no harm – it’s a defining mandate for those who devote their lives to caring for others’ health. Recent studies have shown, however, that approximately 100,000 patients nationwide die unnecessarily in healthcare institutions. Several national organizations, including the Joint Commission, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Agency for Health Care Research in Quality (AHRQ) and the National Quality Forum, are a few that have responded by establishing standards of care and by giving healthcare organizations quality measurement tools.
Dr. Flint, CMO, Inova
At Inova, we have taken up the call to evaluate and improve our care at every level, using the best hospitals in the nation as our benchmarks. A component of this effort involves transparency with both internal and external stakeholders. This report is the first publication to share our progress with all members of the Inova community.
So, how did Inova do? Overall, we had a dramatic improvement in 2011 as compared to 2009 and 2010, and those improvements have continued in the first six months of 2012. We are continuing to accelerate our improvement by adopting nationally-accepted standardized best practices. This report will highlight those best practices, both in our quality results and in the success stories that follow.
One measure you will see in the following report is something we call “perfect care.” We use this term to indicate that a patient has received 100 percent of the steps in the process of care for a given condition. In other words, patients received the correct treatment and prophylaxis at the proper time and got the information and advice they needed to maintain and improve their health after discharge. Consistent, high-quality care – “perfect care” – is what drives us at Inova.
I hope this report inspires each of us at Inova to achieve even higher levels of excellence throughout the rest of 2012 as we continue to deliver leading edge, best in class healthcare throughout the region.
Download Inova’s 20122/2012 Quality Report – “Quality Matters”
Sincerely yours,
Loring Flint, Chief Medical Officer
Inova Health System
U.S. News Ranks Inova Fairfax Hospital # 1 in the Washington, DC Metro Area
July 18th, 2012
All Inova Hospitals Rank in top 20
FALLS CHURCH, VA – U.S. News & World Report today released its annual Best Hospitals rankings, citing Inova Fairfax Hospital as the top Washington, DC Metro hospital. All of Inova Health System’s five hospitals advanced to the top 20 with 4 in the top ten. This year’s Best Hospitals, the 23rd annual edition, showcases more than 720 of the nation’s roughly 5,000 hospitals. Fewer than 150 are nationally ranked in at least one of 16 medical specialties. The rest of the recognized hospitals met a standard of performance nearly as demanding in one or more specialties.
“Inova is reinventing healthcare, increasing value for our patients,” observed Knox Singleton, CEO of Inova Health System. “Our care model emphasizes collaboration between physician, patient and family underscoring wellness, education, research and care management as part of our commitment to improving the health of the community we serve.”
The hospital rankings, said U.S. News Health Rankings Editor Avery Comarow, are like a GPS-type aid to help steer patients to hospitals with strong skills in the procedures and medical conditions that present the biggest challenges. “All of these hospitals are the kinds of medical centers that should be on your list when you need the best care,” said Comarow. “They are where other hospitals send the toughest cases.”
The rankings were published by U.S. News in collaboration with RTI International, a research organization based in Research Triangle Park, N.C. Highlights of the 2012-13 rankings will appear in the U.S. News Best Hospitals 2013 guidebook, to go on sale in August.
The complete rankings and methodology are available at http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is a multi-platform publisher of news and analysis, which includes the digital-only U.S. News Weekly magazine, www.usnews.com, and www.rankingsandreviews.com. Focusing on Health, Personal Finance, Education, Travel, Cars, and Public Service/Opinion, U.S. News has earned a reputation as the leading provider of service news and information that improves the quality of life of its readers. U.S. News & World Report’s signature franchise includes its News You Can Use® brand of journalism and its annual “Best” series of consumer web guides and publications that include rankings of colleges, graduate schools, hospitals, mutual funds, health plans, and more.
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit health care 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.
Kids Put the ER in Summer
July 5th, 2012
Summer is in session and kids have a lot more free time. The Washington Post’s Petula Dvorak recently got a run down on how kids boredom can sometimes result in a visit to the ER.
In the article, Inova Fairfax Hospital’s pediatric emergency room medical director, Katherine Fullerton shared, “In addition to warmer weather and longer days, summer means a dramatic increase in pediatric visits to our emergency department,” in the hospital’s annual safety announcement. “Not all accidents can be avoided, but many can. Focus on things that can be done to prevent injury — proper childproofing of your home and outdoor areas is essential.”
Accidents: Leading Cause of Child Mortality
June 18th, 2012
Prevention is key, especially during Summer Months
Fairfax, Va – It all happened so fast—a phrase often uttered by parents in Inova emergency rooms and those across the country astounded by how quickly their child suffered severe, or even fatal, accidental injuries. Accidental injury is the leading cause of death among children and adolescents, with nearly a third of childhood deaths attributed to the catch-all cause which includes drowning, motor vehicle accidents, burns and falls, among others.
“In addition to warmer weather and longer days, summer means a dramatic increase in pediatric visits to our emergency department,” said Dr. Katherine Fullerton, Medical Director of the Inova Fairfax Hospital Pediatric Emergency Room. “Not all accidents can be avoided, but many can. Focus on things that can be done to prevent injury—proper childproofing of your home and outdoor areas is essential.”
While some accidents are unavoidable, many can be prevented. This summer, follow some of these simple steps to prevent accidental injury:
- If you have a swimming pool at home, it should be surrounded with four-sided fencing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “drowning has been the second leading cause of death to children under age 5, after motor vehicle incidents.”
- Be sure that children—and adults—are always wearing helmets when participating in wheeled sports such as bicycling and skateboarding. More than 2.6 million children are treated in U.S. emergency department each year for sports and recreation-related injuries.
- Secure children in appropriate car seats and seat belts when riding in the car. Rear facing up to age three, followed by forward facing until they reach the height and weight limit specified by the manufacturer. Children under 12 should ride in the back seat. Never leave a child unattended in a car. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among children.
- Be sure that your home is properly childproofed. Outlets should be covered; medications, cleaning supplies and other potential poisons stored out of reach. Every day, more than 300 children in the United States are treated in an emergency department, and two children die, as a result of accidental poisoning.
Not all accidents are preventable. Be prepared for when they do happen by teaching children how to dial 911 in an emergency and taking simple steps like learning infant and child CPR.
Inova is not only dedicated to providing high-quality care to children in our emergency rooms and pediatric programs, they are also committed to helping to prevent injuries as much as possible. To learn more about infant and child CPR, first aid and other courses offered through Inova HealthSource go to inovahealthsource.org.
To schedule an interview with Dr. Katherine Fullerton please call Joanna Fazio at 703-776-4057.
Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children and Cox Communications Invite Families to ‘Cox Movies Under the Moon’
May 23rd, 2011
Free Outdoor Movie Event Featuring Big-Screen Hits to Benefit Hospital and Cox Charities
Falls Church, VA — Bring the kids and a blanket – and settle down under the stars for four nights of box-office hits. From Thursday, June 23, through Sunday, June 26, Cox Communications will host its annual Cox Movies Under the Moon® at Van Dyck Park in Fairfax. The free outdoor film festival offers family–friendly entertainment and benefits Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children and Cox Charities.
“This is Cox’s ninth year bringing Movies Under the Moon to the community, and we are pleased to say that every year, the event gets better and better – both in terms of entertainment and what we are able to contribute to our community,” says Allen Roberts, VP Operations, Cox Virginia. “For the first time this year, proceeds from Movies Under the Moon will go toward Cox Charities, which supports youth education in Northern Virginia, in addition to the hospital. We appreciate the community’s support in coming out for this great event and giving back in a fun and meaningful way.”
WHAT:
Cox Movies Under the Moon
WHEN:
6:30 p.m. Field opens
8:30 p.m. (or dusk) Movies begin
Thursday, June 23: The Wizard of Oz (PG)
Movie Look-a-like Contest: Come dressed as your favorite character – best costume wins the prize!
Friday, June 24: How to Train Your Dragon (PG)
PET NIGHT! Bring your leashed pet to the festival. We will be holding a pet trick contest – best trick wins! Prizes for pet night are provided by The Happy Woof.
Saturday, June 25: Iron Man 2 (PG-13)
Come dressed as your favorite superhero – best costume wins the prize!
Sunday, June 26: Real Women Have Curves (PG-13)
¡Bienvenidos! (Welcome!) Come for tasty Latin treats!
WHERE:
Van Dyck Park
3730 Old Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA
Spectators are encouraged to bring blankets and beach chairs, and purchase hotdogs, fresh popcorn and other treats from on-site vendors. There will also be pre-movie music each night, including the City of Fairfax Band on Thursday and Nocturnal Rush on Friday. Funds raised from the event will go to programs at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children and Cox Charities. The event raises an average of $10,000 each year.
The films are shown using state-of-the-art digital projection on a giant 40-foot by 20-foot
outdoor screen with a Dolby surround sound system. Cox is partnering with the City of Fairfax to present the event. For more information, call the hospital Event Hotline at 703-776-2235 or visit Cox Communications’ website.
Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children is a 186-bed full-service children’s hospital devoted to the healthcare of infants, children and adolescents. It is Northern Virginia’s only pediatric tertiary care center and includes a full-service pediatric emergency department, the area’s only pediatric intensive care unit and the region’s largest neonatal intensive care unit. As a not-for-profit healthcare provider, Inova relies on the support of the community to achieve its mission to provide world-class medical care to patients close to home.
Cox Charities awards grants to qualifying organizations for education programs that further the academic achievement and development of youth through science and technology, mentoring, literacy, and other areas. Cox Communications has a long history of supporting the communities it serves through donations and in-kind services. Cox Charities enables Cox to focus its giving and leverage its business partnerships to accomplish more on behalf of children.
About Inova Health System:
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.
About Cox Communications:
Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and wireless services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves more than 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising.
Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For seven years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; for six years, Cox has ranked among DiversityInc’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity, and the company holds a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.
Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children is Joining the ‘March for Babies’ to Support the March of Dimes
May 9th, 2011
Last year's Inova Fairfax Hospital Team raised $55,000 for the March of Dimes
Inova Hopes for 550 Walkers to Raise $60,000
Falls Church, VA – Hundreds of employees from Inova Fairfax Hospital and Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children will take part in this year’s ‘March for Babies’ event at Reston Town Center. To date, the hospital has more than 300 registered walkers and hopes to raise $60,000. Inova Fairfax Hospital was the number one team last year, raising more than $55,000 for the March of Dimes.
WHAT:
March of Dimes ‘March for Babies’
WHEN:
Sunday, May 15
9 a.m. Registration
10 a.m. Walk start time
WHERE:
Reston Town Center
11900 Market Street
Reston, VA
Funds raised by the March for Babies in Northern Virginia support local community programs, including delivery of pre-natal care to underprivileged women and counseling to families with a baby in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Donations are also directed into research for prevention of birth defects and premature births.
Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children is home to the largest subspecialty NICU in Northern Virginia. Nearly 1,200 babies come through the hospital’s NICU each year. The neonatal mortality rate for infants born at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children is one of the lowest in the nation.
More information about the event can be found on the March of Dimes Web site.
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 to Host Family-Friendly Fundraiser
February 14th, 2011
‘Every Kid’s a Rock Star’ Welcomes Children for a Night of Music and Games
Falls Church, VA – Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children will crank up the music and celebrate its youngest patients at the “Every Kid’s a Rock Star” fundraiser on Sunday, Feb. 27, at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner. A crowd of more than 300 families, donors, physicians and Inova team members are expected to attend this family- and kid-friendly event.
WHAT:
Every Kid’s a Rock Star Fundraiser
WHEN:
Sunday, Feb. 27
5 to 8 p.m.
WHERE:
The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner
1700 Tysons Boulevard
McLean, VA
This unique event will feature live entertainment by nationally recognized “A+ Dropouts” and DJ Jamie Biden. There will be numerous interactive games and activities like Mega Make-it Mix (to mix your own songs), Dimmer the Robot, Immersitron technology (to superimpose yourself into video games via chroma key technology), Guitar Hero, and DJ Hero. Families will have the chance to meet Caitlin Uze, Miss Virginia 2010; Megan Lawless, Miss American Sweetheart 2011; and the Washington Wizard Girls.
The featured auction items include a one-week stay at a villa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, an Omega watch made famous by Peirce Bronson in the James Bond movies, a consultation and color treatment by Michael Canale (Jennifer Aniston’s hair colorist), an Alex Ovechkin autographed hockey stick and Caps tickets, Rock Star Birthday Parties and some amazing pieces of jewelry.
All proceeds will go to Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children, a 186-bed full-service children’s hospital devoted to the healthcare of infants, children and adolescents. It is Northern Virginia’s only pediatric tertiary care center and includes a full-service pediatric emergency department, the area’s only pediatric intensive care unit and the region’s largest neonatal intensive care unit. As a not-for-profit healthcare provider, Inova relies on the support of the community to achieve its mission to provide world-class medical care to patients close to home.
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 Honors Artists from Local Schools
January 17th, 2011
Elementary and High School Students Brighten Hospital Walkway with Artwork
Falls Church, VA – Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children hosted an art reception on January 16 to honor student artists in our community. Students from Oakton Elementary School and Falls Church High School donated their artwork to be displayed on the wall of the hospital’s well-traveled walkway to the garage. The artwork was displayed for three months for patients, visitors and staff to see. On Sunday, the students and their families came to proudly see their artwork and to receive a certificate of recognition.
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 Welcomes Santa and Friends for Santa’s Ride 2010
December 22nd, 2010
Fairfax County Police Department and Sheriff’s Office Spread Holiday Cheer
Falls Church, VA – Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children welcomed Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph on December 16 for Santa’s Ride 2010.
Officers and deputies from the Fairfax County Police Department and Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office collected toys from the community to give out to patients.
The children and their families enjoyed seeing their favorite holiday characters and had the chance to share their Christmas wishes with Santa.
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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