Inova Fairfax Hospital’s Prematurity Program Awarded Joint Commission Certification

First Prematurity Program in nation to receive Gold Seal of Approval

Falls Church, VA – (August 16, 2011) – Inova Fairfax Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s first ever Gold Seal of Approval™ for Prematurity (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for healthcare quality and safety in premature birth care. The certification awarded Inova Fairfax Hospital, part of the world-class healthcare provider Inova Health System which had in excess of 20,000 birth’s in 2010, recognizes the hospital’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards.

“This Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval™ validates that the care premature babies receive in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit not only consistently meets but exceeds the national standards leading to the best care possible,” commented Reuven Pasternak, CEO of Inova Fairfax Hospital and SVP, Inova Health System.  “To be the first in the United States to achieve this certification is a tribute to the multidisciplinary team of enthusiastic and knowledgeable professionals who are truly dedicated to improving the health of the diverse community we are privileged to serve through excellence in patient care.”

The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification Program, launched in 2002, is designed to evaluate clinical programs across the continuum of care. Certification requirements address three core areas: compliance with consensus-based national standards; effective use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care; and an organized approach to performance measurement and improvement activities.  A team of Joint Commission expert reviewers evaluated Inova Fairfax Hospital for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients and families, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.

“This certification is a tribute to the care and commitment of our doctors, nurses and staff who, over many years, have developed a neonatal program offering a full spectrum of services available from the time of  delivery until discharge.  This includes advanced clinical procedures for treating premature babies as well as newborns suffering from birth defects, injury, illness or life-threatening conditions,” according to John M. North, MD, Medical Director, NICU, Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children.  “We are proud to provide excellence in patient care, which ranks among the best in the nation.”

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 19,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States as well as providing certification of more than 1,700 disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services.

“In achieving this Joint Commission certification, Inova Fairfax Hospital has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its premature birth patients” observed Jean Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q. executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, The Joint Commission. “Certification is a voluntary process and I commend Inova Fairfax Hospital for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”

An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

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.