Inova Fairfax Hospital Earns Recertification As Primary Stroke Center

Achievement Recognizes Specialized Treatment for Stroke Patients

Falls Church, VA – (August 18, 2009) – The Joint Commission has recertified Inova Fairfax Hospital as a Primary Stroke Center, indicating that the hospital’s services provide patients with the best chance of survival, minimize the results of a stroke and improve recovery. Inova Fairfax Hospital, Inova Alexandria Hospital and Inova Loudoun Hospital are three of only four hospitals in Northern Virginia to be designated as Primary Stroke Centers.

“Inova Fairfax Hospital has earned this recertification due to our efforts to consistently provide the best stroke treatment possible,” said Reuven Pasternak, MD, CEO, Inova Fairfax Hospital. “The Primary Stroke Center recertification lets our community know that our physicians, clinical staff and other support teams provide world-class stroke care here, every day.”

For recertification, clinical experts reviewed the hospital’s standard practices and outcomes. Because it was able to demonstrate compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for stroke care, quality and safety, Inova Fairfax Hospital was recertified as a Primary Stroke Center.

An independent, not-for-profit organization formed in 1951, The Joint Commission maintains state-of-the-art standards that focus on improving the quality and safety of care provided by more than 16,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the U.S. The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center Certification program was developed with collaboration from the American Stroke Association.

Inova Fairfax Hospital was also recognized in 2009 as being among the top 5% of stroke centers in the nation and the top stroke center in Virginia by HealthGrades Inc., a leading independent health-ratings agency.

For more information about stroke treatment at Inova hospitals, visit www.inova.org/stroke.

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.