Inova Heart and Vascular Institute Awarded Advanced Heart Failure Certification

Certification Recognizes Hospitals Making Exceptional Efforts to Foster Better Quality of Care and Outcomes for Patients

Falls Church, VA – (December 14, 2010) – Inova Heart and Vascular Institute at Inova Fairfax Hospital has earned Advanced Certification in Heart Failure from The Joint Commission. The certification, developed in collaboration with the American Heart Association, recognizes hospitals that are making exceptional efforts to foster better quality of care and outcomes for heart failure patients. Inova Heart and Vascular Institute is one of just two hospitals in the Washington, D.C. region to receive this distinction.

Inova’s heart failure program underwent an extensive on-site evaluation by The Joint Commission. Reviewers interviewed staff and patients, and appraised the hospital’s program on its processes and its ability to evaluate and improve care.

“This certification is a testament to the high-quality treatment we provide,” said Patricia Knowles, RN, Interim Administrator, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute. “It signifies that our services have met the elements needed to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes. It’s also a signal to the community that we can effectively manage the unique and specialized needs of heart failure patients.”

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, about 5.7 million people in the U.S. have heart failure, and it results in about 300,000 deaths each year.

Inova Heart and Vascular Institute at Inova Fairfax Hospital is one of the most technologically-advanced cardiac care centers in the United States. It recently earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for its treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), or heart attack, and the hospital holds a three-star rating, the highest available, from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

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.