Inova Health System Hospitals Earn Outstanding Achievement Award for Quality Cancer Centers

Inova Alexandria, Inova Loudoun Hospitals’ Cancer Programs Named Among Top in the Nation

Falls Church, VA – (March 17, 2009) — Three hospitals within Inova Health System now hold the Outstanding Achievement Award (OAA) from the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer (CoC). Inova Alexandria and Inova Loudoun hospitals were two of just 93 hospitals nationwide to win the 2008 OAA; Inova Fairfax Hospital won in 2007. The award recognizes cancer programs that strive for excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients.

“Being presented these outstanding achievement awards acknowledges Inova Health System’s commitment to providing excellent cancer care, as well as the high-quality work of our staff and physicians,” said Kirsten Edmiston, MD, Medical Director, Inova Cancer Services. “When providing state-of-the-art cancer care, we look at the full scope of options available to all of our patients. We are extremely proud that the CoC has named all of our Cancer Centers as outstanding performers.”

To be considered for the award, hospitals undergo rigorous on-site evaluations by a physician surveyor. Facilities are evaluated every three years on the following criteria:

• Clinical services
• Research
• Cancer data management
• Community outreach
• Quality improvement
• Cancer committee leadership
• Professional education and staff support

Inova Health System’s Cancer Centers offer patients a comprehensive treatment program that includes advanced diagnostic tools, surgery treatments, and education and support programs. The radiation-therapy programs include external therapies as well as internal therapies, such as prostate-seed implants. Physicians use Tomotherapy™ and Trilogy™, the latest in image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) technology, to obtain high-resolution 3-D images before each treatment, enabling them to provide precise and accurate radiation treatment. Inova Cancer Services also offers Life with Cancer®, a comprehensive program that provides an array of support services for patients and their families. All of these programs work in tandem to diagnose, treat and prevent cancer.

The CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education and the monitoring of comprehensive quality care.

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.