Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Earns Spine, Joint Replacement ‘Gold Seal of Approval’

Hospital Earns Two Gold Seals for Spine and Joint Replacement

Fairfax, VA – (January 27, 2010) — Inova Fair Oaks Hospital’s Spine and Joint Replacement Surgery programs have earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for healthcare quality. The Joint Commission awarded the hospital “Disease-Specific Care Certification” for its Cervical and Lumbar Spine Surgery, and Knee and Hip Joint-Replacement Surgery programs.

To earn this distinction, a disease management program undergoes an extensive, unannounced, on-site evaluation by a team of Joint Commission reviewers every two years. The program is evaluated against Joint Commission standards through an assessment of a program’s processes, the program’s ability to evaluate and improve care within its own organization, and interviews with patients and staff.

“This certification means Inova Fair Oaks Hospital offers exemplary care for spine and joint-replacement patients,” says Jean E. Range, MS, RN, executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.

“Earning the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval for Spine and Joint Replacement Surgeries is an accomplishment we are proud of. Our hospital voluntarily pursued this comprehensive, independent evaluation of both our spine and joint-replacement programs to demonstrate our commitment to excellence in providing disease specific care. This certification enhances the safety and quality of care we provide to our patients,” said John Fitzgerald, Senior Vice President, Inova Health System, and CEO of Inova Fair Oaks Hospital.

When the Joint Commission launched its “Disease-Specific Care Certification” program in 2002, it was the first program of its kind in the country to certify disease management programs. A list of programs certified by the Joint Commission is available at www.jointcommission.org.

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,800 other health care organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also accredits health plans, integrated delivery networks, and other managed care entities. In addition, the Joint Commission provides certification of disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, the Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about the Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

Inova Fair Oaks Hospital is a 182-bed advanced acute care community hospital serving the rapidly growing suburbs of Northern Virginia. 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.