Innovative technology, comforting care support new Inova Children’s Hospital

The Best in Care for Kids

As a national leader in the evolving future of health, Inova recognizes that great medical care begins at life’s earliest stages. This means delivering the highest level of dedicated pediatric care, from state-of-the-art technical innovation to comforting and supportive settings where children and their families can focus on the healing process.

It’s a holistic approach to healing that forms the core of the newly expanded Inova Children’s Hospital, which officially opened in January 2016. The hospital, alongside the updated Inova Women’s Hospital, is housed within a brand-new, 12-story tower on the Inova Fairfax Medical Campus in Falls Church, VA.

“We care as deeply about the Hospital’s advanced facility as the children and families receiving care inside the facility,” explains Erin Hodson, Vice President of Inova Children’s Hospital. “When given equal weight, the result is a powerfully therapeutic environment that expedites the healing process.”

High-tech pediatric services

The new 226-bed Children’s Hospital offers increased capacity and capabilities in all areas of care, including the neonatal, pediatric and cardiac intensive care units; and the hematology/oncology, cardiac step-down and general pediatric units. In addition to having expanded capacity, these units have also added services. In particular, the medical/surgical unit has hard-wired EEG monitoring rooms for diagnosing certain seizure disorders; and the dedicated hematology/oncology unit features a positive-pressure-ventilated, protective care environment to accommodate patients with compromised immune systems.

The new 108-bassinet Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) — the largest Level IV NICU in the mid-Atlantic region and the second largest on the East Coast — has transitioned from an open bay model of care to a much more family-friendly model that is based on private and twin rooms.

Gently enveloping all this medically advanced technology are special amenities, unique kid- and family-friendly spaces, and volunteers and staff to help soothe parents’ anxieties.

“We took special care to create a friendly and beautiful environment where parents always feel welcome to stay with their child,” explains David Ascher, MD, Chairman, Inova Children’s Hospital. “This keeps parents involved, which helps everyone cope much better in what can be scary situations.”

Keeping family close during a hospital stay

All-private pediatric rooms offering sleeping chairs and sofa sleepers allow families to remain by their children’s bedsides day and night. There are also three welcoming indoor playrooms and one outdoor park, so little ones and their families can let off steam in a child-safe space packed with fun diversions.

Meanwhile, parents have access to three family lounges, equipped with computer workstations, where they can video chat with family members back home, keep friends up to date, connect with the office and charge up mobile devices. And the hospital includes a Ronald McDonald Family Room, which complements the on-campus Ronald McDonald House. The Family Room includes lounge space and is staffed by specially trained Ronald McDonald volunteers.

Making a hospital stay as stress-free as possible for kids

“As pediatric specialists, we know that bringing your child to the hospital can be traumatic, so our new Children’s Hospital goes the extra mile to remove as much stress as possible,” says Lucas R. Collazo, MD, Medical Director, Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery, Inova Children’s Hospital. “This means a comfortable place to recover, of course, but it also means qualified emotional support at every turn.”

Dr. Collazo is referring to Inova’s skilled network of experts ready to explain procedures, translate medical jargon and defuse confusing situations. In addition to physicians and nurses, these experts include Child Life specialists, volunteers and staff at the Inova Fairfax Medical Campus Ronald McDonald House, and specially trained volunteers available to spend time with a child when parents can’t be in the hospital.

High-risk care in the NICU

High-risk infants are continuing to receive unparalleled specialized care at Inova’s expanded level IV NICU, although the unit’s new design and location will also introduce a significant benefit for moms and dads.

“Our NICU is located in the same building as the Inova Women’s Hospital, so newborns moved to the NICU are never far from their parents. That’s very important,” Dr. Ascher stresses. “And to give baby and parents undisturbed time to gently and lovingly bond in a homelike setting, our new NICU rooms are either private or twin rooms. Each room has a comfortable sleep chair, too, so moms and dads are encouraged to stay with their babies as long as they like.”

Dr. Collazo brings up yet another comforting point: “We’ve always provided leading-edge pediatric care, but I think our new home takes us to an even higher level. Whether we’re talking about a newborn or a 21-year-old, our community members can now receive superior care right here — in their own backyard.”

Continuing a reputation for pediatric excellence

While the Inova Children’s Hospital building may be new, with state-of-the-art technological advancements and expanded child and family-centered care, one thing will never change: the hospital’s dedication to excellence.

In 2015, U.S. News & World Report ranked Inova Children’s Hospital 29th best in the nation in neonatology — up from 42nd in 2014 — and 47th in pediatric cardiology and heart surgery.

“We are extremely proud at Inova Children’s Hospital, not only to be once again ranked among the best in the nation for neonatology, but to add our world-class cardiology and heart surgery specialty to the top 50 rankings,” says Dr. Ascher. “The significant jump from 42nd to 29th in ranking is a reflection of the extraordinary care our physicians, nurses and staff provide in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I would also like to congratulate Inova Children’s Heart program for being recognized as one of the top 50 best programs in the nation. Every year, our pediatric heart specialists perform hundreds of cardiac surgeries on young children, including fragile newborns facing complex health challenges.”

Dr. Ascher continues, “As we prepare to open our new Children’s Hospital, this dedication to pediatric excellence will strengthen our position as a leader in the future of health.”

Here’s Looking at You, Kid

Learn more about Inova Children’s Hospital at www.inovachildrens.org

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