Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Achieves National Recognition for Nursing Excellence

Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Honored with Magnet™ Designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center

Fairfax, VA – (March 23, 2009) — Inova Fair Oaks Hospital has achieved one of the highest levels of recognition a hospital can achieve for excellence in nursing services. The Magnet Recognition Program® of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has honored Inova Fair Oaks Hospital by designating it a Magnet™ organization.

“Magnet designation is a tremendous achievement for Inova Fair Oaks Hospital,” said John Fitzgerald, CEO of Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. “It formally recognizes the excellent work our nurses do each day and reflects the commitment of our entire staff to serve as a team, providing the highest-quality care possible for the people of our community.”

The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes healthcare organizations that demonstrate excellence in nursing practice and adherence to national standards for the organization and delivery of nursing services. Applicants undergo a rigorous evaluation that includes extensive interviews about and review of nursing services. Research shows there are clear benefits to the communities served by hospitals that are awarded Magnet status:

• Healthcare consumers have more confidence in the overall quality of a hospital if it has achieved the level of excellence established by the Magnet Recognition Program.
• Magnet-designated facilities consistently outperform other facilities in recruiting and retaining nurses, resulting in increased stability in patient care and patient satisfaction.
• Magnet status becomes an attractive force that extends to the entire facility. Recruitment and retention of talented and experienced staff is improved because quality nursing is one of the most important factors in enlisting high-caliber physicians and specialists.

“In addition to providing a proven process for continual improvement, Magnet facilities attract and retain the best and brightest nurses, who in turn provide world-class care, resulting in optimal patient outcomes,” stated Marie M. Dennis, RN, MSN, NEA-BC and Chief Nurse Executive of Inova Fair Oaks Hospital.

Inova Fair Oaks Hospital joins fellow Inova Health System facilities, including Inova Fairfax Hospital/Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children and Inova Loudoun Hospital, in achieving Magnet designation. ANCC is the largest and most prominent nursing credentialing organization in the United States. Inova Fair Oaks Hospital’s Magnet status is valid for four years.

The Magnet Recognition Program® and ANCC Magnet Recognition® name and logos are registered trademarks of the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Magnet™, Journey to Magnet Excellence™, and the National Magnet Conference™ are trademarks of the American Nurses Credentialing Center. All rights reserved.

Inova Fair Oaks Hospital is a 182-bed advanced acute-care community hospital serving the rapidly growing suburbs of Northern Virginia. The hospital specializes in obstetrics, gastroenterology and surgical services, including bariatric, joint replacement, spine, vascular and minimally invasive surgery. Inova Fair Oaks Hospital was one of two organizations in the state to be honored with the prestigious U.S. Senate Productivity and Quality Award (SPQA), for being a model organization and demonstrating excellence and maturity in its business approaches, deployment and results. The American Nurses Credentialing Center has designated Inova Fair Oaks Hospital as a Magnet facility, the highest merit hospitals can receive for excellence in nursing services. In addition to these esteemed awards, Inova Fair Oaks Hospital has received the designation as a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

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.