Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital Attains Level I Verification from the American College of Surgeons

Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital has been named a Level I Verified Children’s Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons Children’s Surgery Verification Quality Improvement Program (ACS CSV).

Developed to improve the quality of pediatric surgical care, the ACS CSV program is based on other nationally recognized ACS quality improvement programs that have measurably improved surgical quality and outcomes. Institutions seeking verification complete an extensive application and undergo a comprehensive site visit by an ACS team of surveyors.

“Every day, our team works to provide outstanding care to children,” says Stephen Kim, MD, FACS, Medical Director and Division Chief of Pediatric Surgery for Inova Health System. “The collaboration extends far beyond the operating rooms and the designation from the ACS fortifies Inova’s commitment to deliver the highest quality of evidence-based care. Our young patients receive exceptional care from the moment they arrive through discharge and beyond.”

Verified centers must meet criteria outlined in the standards document, Optimal Resources for Children’s Surgical Care, which ensure that pediatric surgical patients receive care under a multidisciplinary program with quality improvement and safety processes, data collection and appropriate resources at the hospital. Level I centers have specialty trained children’s surgeons in every discipline, with pediatric anesthesiologists and dedicated operating rooms for children available 24 hours a day. They also train future leaders in education and research and participate in community outreach.

Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure and care protocols, ensuring its ability to appropriately care for pediatric surgical patients. The hospital also participates in a national data registry that yields semiannual reports on the quality of its processes and outcomes, thus identifying opportunities for continuous quality improvement.

“This achievement is a testament to our team’s allegiance to Inova’s mission to deliver world-class care to the children and families we have the privilege to serve,” says Joanna Fazio, VP and Administrator of the Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital and the Pediatric Service Line. “Families can be assured their children are in the best possible hands for surgical care.”