Inova Fairfax Hospital Receives Medal of Honor for High Organ Donation Rates

Hospital Achieves Donation Rate of 75 Percent, Contributes to National Increase In Organ Transplants

Falls Church, VA – (November 29, 2007) — For the second year in a row, Inova Fairfax Hospital has been awarded the Medal of Honor for Organ Donation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The award is given to the nation’s largest hospitals for achieving and sustaining a donation rate of 75 percent or more of eligible donors.

Inova Fairfax Hospital was one of 392 hospitals to receive this recognition. The award was presented at the third annual National Learning Congress on Organ Donation and Transplantation held last month in Nashville, TN. Hospital officials received their Medal of Honor from organ donor recipients or the families of donors.

In addition, Inova’s Transplant Center has joined the Transplant Growth and Management Collaborative, a new initiative that aims to dramatically increase the number of deceased donor organs transplanted at each hospital. Each organ and tissue donor can save the lives of up to eight people and enhance the lives of 50 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. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.