Inova Loudoun Hospital, Inova Emergency Care Center – Leesburg Certified as Primary Stroke Centers

Facilities Recognized for Meeting Specialized Needs of Stroke Patients

Leesburg, VA – (April 2, 2009) — The Joint Commission officially certified Inova Loudoun Hospital as a Primary Stroke Center, making it one of just 11 centers in Virginia. The certification also covers the Inova Emergency Care Center – Leesburg, located on Cornwall Street, which is the first free-standing emergency department in the state to be designated a Primary Stroke Center.

Certification signifies that the services provided by the hospital have the critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes. It also serves as a signal to the community that the quality care provided by the hospital is effectively managed to meet the unique and specialized needs of stroke patients.

“Stroke patients need immediate and specialized care in order to lessen the long-term effects of a stroke,” said Edward Puccio, MD, Medical Director, Emergency Department, Inova Loudoun Hospital. “This certification lets our community know that we have a dedicated and highly-trained staff, as well as the resources to effectively treat a stroke patient during an emergency.”

For certification, clinical experts reviewed the hospital’s standard practices and outcomes. Inova Loudoun Hospital earned the certification by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for stroke care, quality and safety.

Inova Alexandria and Inova Fairfax hospitals are the only other hospitals in Northern Virginia to be designated Primary Stroke Centers. As part of its stroke program, Inova has partnered with the American Stroke Association to take part in Operation Stroke, a program designed to increase awareness about stroke, its warning signs and risk factors, and to improve patient outcomes.

The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization, is the nation’s predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare. Its Primary Stroke Center Certification program was developed through a collaboration with the American Stroke Association.

According to the American Heart Association, about 795,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. Stroke kills more than 143,000 people a year and is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Visit Inova’s website for additional information about stroke and the warning signs.

Inova Loudoun Hospital, serving Loudoun County for nearly 100 years, is part of Inova Health System, 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.