Inova Loudoun Hospital’s Emergency Department One of Four to Receive Top Performance Recognition

Leesburg, VA – July 9, 2015 – The Emergency Nurses Association announced that four U.S. emergency departments were awarded the prestigious 2015 Lantern Award™. The award recognizes emergency departments that exemplify exceptional practice and innovative performance in the core areas of leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research. Recipients are considered the gold standard in emergency department excellence.

The Lantern Award is a symbol of an emergency department’s commitment to quality, safety, presence of a healthy work environment and accomplishment in incorporating evidence-based practice and innovation into exceptional emergency care.

“In the two years as Director, I have seen the hard work, teamwork, and dedication of nursing, physicians, and ancillary staff displayed in the Emergency Department every day.  They are driven, as a team, in providing excellence in every aspect of care giving for our community.  Receiving the prestigious Lantern award is the culmination of all the aforementioned qualities, coming together.  And I, the Director, have never been more proud to be a part of such an amazing team,” said April Brown, director, Inova Loudoun Hospital Emergency Departments.

2015 Lantern Award recipients are:

• Inova Loudoun Emergency Department (Leesburg)
• Boston Children’s Hospital Emergency Department (Boston)
• Pennsylvania Hospital Emergency Department – Penn Medicine (Philadelphia)
• Swedish Medical Center – Emergency Department – HCA-HealthONE (Englewood, Colo.)

“Congratulations to our 2015 Lantern Award recipients for their commitment to emergency nursing excellence,” said ENA president Matthew F. Powers, MS, BSN, RN, MICP, CEN. “The Lantern Award application and review process is rigorous, as we’re looking for the highest level of performance in emergency departments. These emergency departments go above and beyond to ensure quality safe practice and care.”

All emergency departments are eligible to apply for the Lantern Award, but only a select few meet the highest excellence standards. Emergency departments are required to submit detailed performance metrics, narratives and exemplar responses. A team of reviewers thoroughly evaluate the submissions through a blinded review process.

The Lantern Award designation is valid for three years and recipients may re-apply after three years. The Lantern Award is named in honor of Florence Nightingale, who is credited with changing nursing from an untrained job to a skilled, science-based profession. She is referred to as the “Lady of the Lamp” for her actions during the Crimean War when she worked deep into the night, bringing a lantern with her as she tended to wounded British soldiers as they slept.

Media Contact: Reneé Brohard, APR, renee.brohard@inova.org

The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) is the premier professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership. Founded in 1970, ENA has proven to be an indispensable resource to the global emergency nursing community. With more than 40,000 members worldwide, ENA advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards and guidelines, and guides emergency healthcare public policy. ENA members have expertise in triage, patient care, disaster preparedness, and all aspects of emergency care. Additional information is available at www.ena.org.

Inova Loudoun Hospital, serving Loudoun County for over 100 years, is part of Inova, 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. Visit us on the web at www.inova.org/ilh. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InovaLoudounHospital.