Inova’s ASTEC Earns Coveted Comprehensive Accredited Education Institute Status

Washington DC – August 11, 2015 – Inova’s Advanced Surgical Technology and Education Center (ASTEC) at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus (IFMC) has earned the American College of Surgeons’ (ACS) status as a “Comprehensive Accredited Education Institute” (AEI). Only 88 other facilities worldwide hold the AEI designation.

The ACS AEI program was created in 2005 to uphold rigorous standards for surgical educational and training at its designated institutes. The goal of the program is to promote patient safety through simulation, develop new education technologies, identify best practices and promote research and collaboration.  Members can apply for “comprehensive” or “focused” accreditation, with comprehensive being the top designation.

“Our comprehensive accreditation is a testament to Inova’s commitment to patient safety, education and research,” said IFMC Surgery Chairman John Moynihan, MD. “This coveted status opens the door for multi-site collaboration in advancing healthcare innovation and technologies, and shows the outstanding work of our staff.”

ASTEC officially reopened in June 2014 and recently received the “2015 Health & Life Sciences Innovator of the Year” award from the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. The Center also received “test center” designations for Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS), Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES) and Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy (FUSE).  These accolades have helped ASTEC expand its reputation and outreach with reservation requests from clinicians around the metropolitan area and across the country for training.

Read more about ASTEC and training opportunities at inova.org/astec.

Media Contact: Tracy Connell, tracy.connell@inova.org