Inova offers new technology to increase ease, speed of mammograms

Getting a mammogram is not the most comfortable experience for women. In addition to the anxiety that it can trigger, the screening itself can cause physical discomfort. For these reasons, Inova takes steps to update its technology to provide the best possible experience.

Comfortable Equipment: One way the Peterson Family Breast Center at Inova Loudoun Hospital (ILH) recently made the patient experience better is by adding a new SmartCurve^TM stabilization system to its 3D mammography equipment. “The new system provides more comfort,” says Crystal Dooms, RT(R)(M), Imaging Clinical Coordinator at the center. “Instead of the [compression] paddle being square and symmetrical, it’s concave and curved, so the part that goes against the chest mimics the chest’s shape and is more comfortable.”

This minor change demonstrates the commitment that ILH has to providing the best care around, she says. The breast care center at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital (IFOH) also plans to add the SmartCurve technology later this year. “We offer the best technology and a skilled clinical team of experts including fellowship- trained breast imagers,” Dooms says. “We also focus on the little things that make the patient experience better, like offering warm robes.”

Cutting Edge: IFOH has also upgraded its technology recently, adding GeniusTM 3D mammography capability. This provides radiologists and surgeons better visualization, creating a clearer picture on which to base diagnoses. Studies show that it detects between 20% and 65% more invasive breast cancer compared to 2D mammography. “The Genius 3D system is more comfortable for women and it’s faster, so not only is the workflow more efficient … but women also spend less time compressed,” says Stephen Hunt, Director of Diagnostic Imaging, IFOH.

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Breast Cancer Awareness
Learn more about Inova’s approach to breast cancer.

The post Improved Breast Cancer Care at Inova appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Arts and Healing program makes a difference for cancer patients at Inova

The Arts and Healing program at Inova Schar Cancer Institute (Inova Schar) promotes the healing power of the environment on those affected by cancer, both through art installations and clinical applications. Thoughtfully selected original art can be much more than a simple distraction; it is a source of healing inspiration and hope to those facing life-changing illness. The healing arts initiative began at Inova Schar at Fair Oaks, thanks to the generous philanthropic support of Lisa and Michael Ellis and Sandi and Jerry Croan.

The goal of the Arts and Healing program is to minimize suffering and restore well-being by providing an environment that promotes healing and wellness. Art in its many forms supports those in treatment and recovery, as well as their loved ones. The Fair Oaks program is a hallmark of the flagship Inova Schar, a department of Inova Fairfax Hospital, which opened on May 13.

This innovative program has a robust permanent art collection and ongoing exhibition along with an Artist in Residence program to provide art expression throughout the facility. Together with Life with Cancer^®’s Integrative Oncology program, focused on art therapy, acupuncture, nutrition, mind-body techniques and support groups, these programs truly focus on whole-person wellness for individuals, families, loved ones and the community. They reinforce Inova Schar’s core mission to provide patient-centered care and inspire and encourage all those who come through its doors.

Unmatched Support

Support from the Inova Fair Oaks Hospital (IFOH) Auxiliary is the foundation of philanthropic efforts. Most recently, funding from the IFOH Auxiliary allowed the Life with Cancer^® program to continue providing Integrative Oncology and Arts and Healing programs to patients. Auxiliary members are always working on ways to improve the hospital. Recently, they played a large role in bringing the latest 3D mammography equipment to IFOH, making it a more comprehensive source of care for members of our community. “The Auxiliary has been very generous to the hospital and radiology for the past several years, and they’re amazing in their sense of commitment,” notes Stephen Hunt, Director of Diagnostic Imaging at IFOH.

The post Art in Action for Cancer Care appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Inova provides inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services for all ages in Loudoun and western Fairfax counties

The numbers are staggering; millions of people are affected by mental health conditions annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 50% of all Americans are diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime.  Inova understands that access to behavioral health and acute crisis interventional resources are imperative for a community to thrive.

“We’re here for our community every day,” says April Brown, DNP, Senior Director of Emergency, Trauma and Behavioral Health Services at Inova Loudoun Hospital (ILH). “Because Inova provides easy access to multiple mental health and addiction treatment services, they may come to us sooner — enabling us to be proactive instead of reactive.”

Some key behavioral health services for Loudoun County and western Fairfax County residents:

Inova outpatient behavioral health offerings

Inova offers an array of outpatient behavioral health services across Loudoun and western Fairfax counties. These offices accept nearly all commercial health plans as well as Medicaid and Medicare. “We’re one of the few providers in the area that can say this,” explains Maria C. Hadjiyane, MA, LPC, CSAC, Senior Director of Inova Behavioral Health Adult Ambulatory Services.

Inova Kellar Center: It has been providing pediatric and adolescent outpatient behavioral health services for 25 years.  In addition to the facilities in Fairfax, the Inova Kellar Center opened its first location in Loudoun County in 2018.  It offers the community a full continuum of outpatient mental health, substance use disorder treatment services and special education programs for children, adolescents and their families.

Behavioral Health Outpatient Center at Fair Oaks: This center, serving people 18 years of age and older, provides four on-site therapists. It provides individual therapy, assessments prior to bariatric surgery, and medication management with a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Inova Behavioral Health Outpatient Center at Fort Evans Road (Leesburg): Adults have access to individual therapy, medication management and an intensive outpatient addiction program. The Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Services (CATS) program involves three-hour sessions, three times a week for 10 weeks. Coming this summer: a second intensive outpatient program, which will be focused on mental health and mood disorders. This program will also meet three times a week.

Inova Primary Care With Behavioral Health Services: Inova has taken the important step of integrating behavioral health services into several primary care locations, giving patients 18 years and older easier access to a therapist. Here are those locations:

• Ashburn (Filigree Crt)
• Ashburn HealthPlex (Landmark Crt)
• Gainesville
• Centreville
• Dulles South
• Manassas
• *Chantilly

*Services coming late 2019 

Abuse and crisis intervention for behavioral health issues

FACT: The Inova Ewing Forensic Assessment and Consultation Team (FACT) serves the unique emotional and physical needs of abused children and adults. FACT provides expert medical evaluation, forensic evidence collection and expert interpretation for victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, strangulation and/or child abuse.

In May 2018, Inova Loudoun Hospital opened a FACT department on its Cornwall medical campus in Leesburg. Before its opening, police drove victims from Loudoun to Fairfax. “Opening this location at our Cornwall Medical Campus was one of our proudest moments,” says Brown of ILH.

LAMPS: Located on the Inova Loudoun Cornwall Medical Campus (Leesburg), Loudoun Adult Medical Psychiatric Services (LAMPS) is an inpatient, 22-bed program that serves adults (18+ years of age) who are experiencing an emotional crisis. Services include individual therapy, group therapy and medication management. “Our goal is to help these patients stay safe and transition into wellness,” Brown says.

If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health or substance use emergency, please visit the closest emergency room (ER) or contact your county for 24/7 assistance.

• Loudoun County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Assessment Center: 703.777.0320
• Fairfax County Community Services Board (CSB): 703.573.5679

Help for moms

Whether you have just welcomed your first or fourth baby into the family, there’s a possibility that you may experience feelings of postpartum depression. This condition is loosely defined as having extreme feelings of worry, sadness, high-anxiety or a disconnect to your baby for more than two weeks post-delivery.

If you experience any of these symptoms, there are two things to remember, says Marie Tolliver, BSN, RNC-OB, Women’s Health Navigator, Perinatal Services, Inova Loudoun Hospital (ILH): 1. You’re not alone.  2. You need to seek help.

To ignite the healing process for new moms, Inova Fair Oaks Hospital (IFOH) and ILH host free Postpartum Depression & Anxiety Support Groups, offering a combination of social support and facilitated talk therapy. If further intervention is needed, the facilitator can help. 

For new moms seeking general support in a nonjudgmental environment, both hospitals offer free support groups for moms with babies at varying ages.

Postpartum & Depression Anxiety Support Groups:

IFOH: 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month, 7:30–9 p.m. For more information, email fairoaks@postpartumva.org.
ILH: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. For more information, email loudoun@postpartumva.org.

Moms & Babies Support Groups:

IFOH: Wednesdays, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
ILH: Babies 0–4 months, Fridays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Babies 4–8 months, Mondays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

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The Right Care
Learn more about Inova’s behavioral health services.

To make an appointment at an outpatient center, please call 703.289.7560 for adults and 703.218.8500 for children and teens.

The post Behavioral Health Services Focus on Healthy Minds appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Inova experts urge patients to look at markers of success and safety 

It’s not always possible — such as in an emergency — to handpick where you’ll receive medical care. But if you’re undergoing elective surgery or other treatment, key indicators of a hospital’s track record can reliably steer you to a place that has been shown to provide the best results.

A bevy of national accolades and accreditations points to Inova’s superior patient outcomes. All of Inova’s hospitals, for example, have earned a grade “A” for safety by The Leapfrog Group, a national organization using 28 measures to assign grades to about 2,600 hospitals across the United States.

Inova Fair Oaks (IFOH) and Inova Loudoun (ILH) hospitals stand out in many additional ways, perhaps most notably by earning Center of Excellence designations in stroke care, hip and knee replacement and spine surgery. Bestowing these honors is The Joint Commission — the country’s oldest and largest standards-setting organization in healthcare — following rigorous evaluations, inspections and interviews. 

IFOH is also an accredited Comprehensive Center for bariatric surgery under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP^®).

“When researching hospitals, be sure to look for Joint Commission-designated Centers of Excellence,” comments Donald Brideau, MD, President of IFOH. “This designation proves that the hospital’s quality and safety outcomes are better. A Center of Excellence is designed to provide the greatest level of care for that service.”

“The designation process is rigorous and thorough,” states Christopher Chiantella, MD, Chief Medical Officer at ILH. “It is confirmation that the programs are providing patients with excellent quality of care.”             

Reassuring evidence for top hospitals in Virginia

“In addition to patient outcomes, patient instruction and education also contributes to the success of a program,” says Rachna Krishnan, Growth Officer at ILH.

“To become a Joint Commission Center of Excellence, the hospital often has additional requirements,” Krishnan explains. “Patient education both before and after surgery is imperative so they know what to expect and can take better care to help themselves heal and recover. This ultimately leads to better outcomes.”

Community members — particularly those planning to undergo elective surgery — can use a Center of Excellence or other national achievement to help with their decision-making when shopping for the best hospital for them. Chris Silveri, MD, Co-Chair of Inova Spine Institute at IFOH, advises prospective patients to look critically at any facility describing itself as a spine center.

“We haven’t just named our spine program as part of a spine Center of Excellence. We’ve been able to prove to The Joint Commission that we have, in fact, achieved the level of excellence in cervical and lumbar spine surgery,” he says. “IFOH is the only hospital in the area to have 10 years of continuous, successful designations by the Joint Commission for this.”

Dr. Silveri’s colleague, Donald Hope, MD, also Co-Chair of the Inova Spine Institute, said patients can gain reassurance from such a national honor.

“Certainly, a Center of Excellence is really a report card or a certification based on a proven process that has been shown to work,” Dr. Hope says. “It’s considerably safer for patients to have procedures at a hospital that has received these awards.”

Proactive patients are key in hospital decision-making

When choosing a hospital, patients have two options. They can first choose a doctor to perform their procedure and then ask where that doctor performs surgeries, or they can first choose the hospital for their procedure and then select a doctor that performs their procedures there. Patients have the right to request a specific facility for their surgery, since many doctors have privileges at multiple hospitals. It is also important to speak with your insurance company to determine your medical coverage for a specific doctor or facility.

“It’s most important that the patient is an active participant in the process,” Dr. Chiantella says. “If you’re having an elective procedure, make sure you’re heavily engaged in your own care and that you have a great support system.”

Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Surgery

When shopping for a surgeon, it’s especially crucial to determine their expertise and safety record. Inova doctors suggest asking the following:

• How many of these surgeries have you performed over the past year? Past five years? Look for a surgeon who handles a high volume of the same procedure.
• What are your complication rates for this surgery? What are the most frequent complications your surgical patients experience?
• What can I expect as my outcome? How do you envision my recovery?
• Where do you perform your surgeries?

The post Choosing the Best Hospital appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

By Rick Place, MD, Medical Director of the Pediatric Emergency Department at Inova Children’s Hospital, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus

Nothing is scarier to a parent than having a sick child. At Inova, we are committed to caring for children within both our emergency and urgent care facilities.

Inova Children’s Hospital (ICH) at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus (IFMC) has a dedicated pediatric emergency room (ER). ICH offers 24/7 access to pediatric specialist physicians on-site as well as Child Life specialists, who are trained to ease anxiety in children and explain procedures in an understandable and com-forting fashion. In addition to IFMC, Inova Children’s dedicated pediatric ERs are at two other locations — Inova Fair Oaks and Inova Loudoun hospitals.

Across Inova, our child-friendly approach entails providing the specialized skills, expertise and resources pediatric patients need. For example, all Inova ERs offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to minimize discomfort during minor procedures, like stitches. And all Inova ERs and four pediatric Inova Children’s urgent care centers (Tysons, West Springfield, Reston and Dulles South – Chantilly) have connectivity to ICH for telemedicine consultations, which provide 24-hour access to pediatric specialists.

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ER For Kids
Find a pediatric ER at Inova.

The post Why Should I Take My Child to an Inova Pediatric ER or Urgent Care Center? appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Inova Fairfax Medical Campus displays excellence

Earlier this year, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus (IFMC) received a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Three other Inova hospitals also received this rating: Inova Fair Oaks, Inova Loudoun and Inova Mount Vernon hospitals. Of the more than 4,500 hospitals evaluated by CMS nationwide, only 337, or 7%, received five-star ratings. “The five-star rating speaks to the superior level of care that we provide,” says Susan Carroll, Acting President of IFMC and Executive VP of Inova.

Also, IFMC was recognized by Healthgrades, a respected arbiter of healthcare quality, as one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals and for its 2019 Outstanding Patient Experience. Healthgrades evaluates hospital performance using quality measures such as clinical outcomes, patient safety and patient experience.

IFMC has won the America’s 250 Best Hospitals award for the last three years in a row as well as a number of Healthgrades awards for clinical specialties including cardiac, GI, general surgery, pulmonary and neuroscience. Such awards reflect Inova’s excellent treatment and clinical outcomes. 

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Top Billing

Learn more about Inova Fairfax Medical Campus’ (IFMC’s) performance in Healthgrades. Read about all of IFMC’s accolades.

The post Array of Awards for Inova appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Ivan P. Harnden, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. He specializes in the TIF procedure, a new treatment option for chronic indigestion or acid reflux, at Inova Fairfax Hospital and Fair Oaks Hospital.

There’s a reason that drugstores have an entire aisle devoted to antacids. Heartburn is extremely common. For about 1 in 5 people, that heartburn is caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. GERD is a chronic form of acid reflux that causes heartburn, cough and sore throat. Over time, it can damage the esophagus, irritate the lungs or cause other serious problems.

Luckily, many people with GERD find relief by modifying their diets and taking acid-reducing medications (both over-the-counter and prescription). But some people have reservations about taking those drugs every day for years on end. Others still experience symptoms, despite medications and diet changes.

For those patients, a new procedure called TIF could be a great option for long-term relief.

TIF: Tightening Leaky Valve

GERD can occur for a variety of reasons. One of the most common causes is a leaky valve at the bottom of the esophagus, which allows stomach acid to back up where it shouldn’t. Another cause is a hiatal hernia, which occurs when a small part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm.

In many cases, TIF can solve these problems. Short for transoral incisionless fundoplication, the procedure allows us to tighten the leaky valve — without a surgical incision. Instead, we pass an instrument called an endoscope through the patient’s mouth and into the stomach. Using the device, we use sutures (stitches) to tighten and lengthen the valve.

TIF is very safe, and most patients go home the same day. They have to follow a modified diet while they heal over the next few weeks. But as the valve heals, it becomes nice and strong. More than 80% of patients can stop taking acid-reducing medications after TIF.

Surgical Treatments for GERD

Other procedures have been available to treat GERD before now. While they’re safe and effective overall, they do have some downsides.

• Fundoplication tightens the valve in a similar way to TIF, but it requires small incisions in the abdomen. Patients who have this procedure often experience gas and bloating, because the valve can be so tight that they aren’t able to belch.
• The LINX procedure implants a string of metal beads to tighten the muscle at the bottom of the esophagus. But some patients experience a feeling of difficulty swallowing.

For the right patients, TIF is a promising alternative that avoids these complications, requires no incisions and leaves no scars. Still, like all surgical procedures, there are side effects to TIF too, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about the right treatment for you.

Who Is a Candidate for the TIF Procedure?

For a lot of people, acid reducers do a good job of controlling symptoms of GERD. But you might want to consider a procedure like TIF if you:

• Still have symptoms despite taking medication and/or changing your diet.
• Require higher and higher doses of acid-reducing medications to control your symptoms.
• Can control heartburn with medication, but continue to have other problems such as cough or asthma-like symptoms (which can be caused by the regurgitation of stomach contents into the lungs).
• Do not want to be committed to using long-term acid-reducing medications.

Some people aren’t able to have the TIF procedure because of their anatomy. We do some testing ahead of the procedure to determine which patients are good candidates. TIF is a good option to correct GERD in people with small hiatal hernias, for example. But people with large hernias often need to have the hernia repaired through traditional surgery, rather than TIF.

TIF at Inova

The TIF procedure is a cutting-edge treatment for GERD, and its popularity is growing quickly as happy patients spread the word about their success with the treatment. Inova is still one of the only providers in the region that offers TIF, both at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital and Inova Fairfax Hospital. Other treatment options for digestive health are also available at Inova Alexandria Hospital through the Inova Heartburn Treatment Center.  It’s all part of our commitment to providing the latest, most effective treatments for digestive disorders.

To make an appointment with a doctor trained in the TIF procedure, contact:

• Richard Allen Blosser, MD at 703-810-3591
• Hiran Fernando, MD at 703-783-5810
• Ivan Peter Harnden, MD at 703-783-5417
• Iris Lee, MD at 703-783-5417

The post Is GERD giving you grief? New TIF procedure could be the answer appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Lose weight with these creative exercise tips

Mustering the energy to exercise is a struggle many of us are all too familiar with. If you’ve attempted and failed to maintain an exercise regimen in order to lose weight, you’re not alone. Nearly half of adults in the U.S. (49%, to be exact) have tried to lose weight at one point in time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Sticking to a regular exercise routine can be challenging, which is why many people give up after a few months, or even a few weeks. Luckily, late summer and early fall are the perfect time to begin exercising. The weather cools down to a temperature that’s primed for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, cycling and hiking. Research shows those who exercise outdoors may reap more benefits than their indoor-exercising counterparts.

“Ten-minute sessions of exercise 3 times a day is a great way to get in physical activity even on your busiest days,” says Nick Graves, an exercise physiologist at the Inova Fair Oaks Hospital.  

Follow these tips to get moving this fall and beyond:

Get an exercise buddy. Accountability can be a great tool when it comes to exercise. If you have an exercise buddy and you’ve both agreed to take a class or go for a jog together, you’ll be less likely to bail since you’re not just letting yourself down, but someone else, too. 

Put something on the line. In order to take motivation one step further, consider putting something on the line if you fail to exercise. For example, make an agreement with a friend that you’ll pay them $20 or treat them to lunch if you miss a workout. Or, download an app like Pact. If you skip a workout, you pay other users, and if you go, you get the money they lost by skipping a workout.

Sign up for a class. Classes have several benefits. For one, you get a healthy dose of camaraderie by working out in a group. Plus, classes often have fees if you cancel. If you sign up ahead of time, you’ll be more motivated to go in order to avoid a hefty $10 or $15 no-show or cancellation fee.

Listen to a podcast or audiobook. If you opt for solo exercise like cycling or jogging, consider downloading a podcast or audiobook that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Make a deal with yourself that you’ll only listen to the podcast or audiobook while you’re exercising. If you pick something that’s particularly thrilling, you’ll be eager for your next run or bike ride.

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Need some help on your weight-loss journey? Learn more about weight-loss programs and services available at Inova.

The post Get Moving This Fall appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Falls Church, VA – All five Inova hospitals were awarded ‘A’ grades for the fall 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades.  A national distinction, Leapfrog recognizes Inova’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer healthcare.

This is the third consecutive grading period that all five Inova hospitals have received an ‘A’ grade.  In fact, Inova Loudoun Hospital has received straight A’s for 16 consecutive grading periods; Inova Fair Oaks for 15; Inova Mount Vernon for 11; and, Inova Fairfax and Inova Alexandria Hospitals for three consecutive grading periods.

“At Inova, our mission is to provide world-class healthcare to every patient we have the privilege to serve. This means a relentless commitment to providing the highest level of quality care across our system” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and CEO, Inova Health System. “Achieving the highest grades at every hospital is a reflection of this commitment by our doctors, nurses, clinical, and non-clinical team members for our patients every day.”

“‘A’ hospitals show us their leadership is protecting patients from preventable medical harm and error,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “It takes genuine commitment at every level – from clinicians to administrators to the board of directors – and we congratulate the teams who have worked so hard to earn this A.”

The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization driven by employers and other purchasers of health care committed to improving health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers. The Safety Grade assigns an ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to all general hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care.

Developed under the guidance of a national Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.

To see Inova’s full grade details, learn how employers can help, and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.

Media Contact: Tracy Connell, tracy.connell@inova.org, 703-289-2087

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About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider, recognized in 2019 by U.S. News & World Report which named Inova Fairfax Hospital the #1 hospital in the Washington, DC region. Four of Inova’s five hospitals hold five-star rankings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 18,000 team members serve more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes. Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,800 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.

About The Leapfrog Group

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections. 

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Bariatric surgery can help with many life goals, including having a baby

Weight loss is the obvious goal with bariatric surgery, but for many people, it’s not the only one. Treating obesity successfully can lead to better health, increased physical activity, improved sleep and countless other benefits.

The main reason for Meg Appel to have surgery stemmed from her and her husband’s desire to start a family.

Meg had weight loss surgery at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital in October 2015, after a fertility specialist suggested that her weight — then 330 pounds — may be why the couple was struggling to get pregnant. They turned to Inova bariatric surgeon Amir Moazzez, MD, and the considerable resources available through Inova, from dietitians to behavioral health experts.

When Meg found out last July that she was expecting, one of her first calls was to the Inova team.

“I wanted to make sure that I would be on a good nutritional track while pregnant,” says Meg, whose baby is due early this year. “Everyone was super-excited and supportive, and they helped to ease my anxieties about how having the surgery would affect the pregnancy.”

For example, she notes, bariatric surgery increases sugar sensitivity, which means that certain glucose tests would likely make her feel ill. The Inova team has been able to recommend different, more appropriate, tests as well as guide her through food changes that will support her pregnancy.

Understanding that patients like Meg will need resources on an ongoing basis is part of what sets Inova apart, says Dr. Moazzez. “Obesity is a chronic condition, like hypertension,” he says. “Having a program that recognizes that is what makes our success rate so high.”

Meg appreciates that the bariatric team has stepped up to make her and her baby’s health such a priority. “I didn’t expect them to be with me every step of the way like this, but I’m thrilled that they are,” she says. “The support they’ve shown didn’t stop after I had the surgery. I feel like they’re here for me no matter what life changes come my way.”

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Journey to Good Health 

Watch a video about Meg Appel’s weight loss experience at Inova.

The post Reaping the Rewards of Weight Loss appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

By Donald Brideau, MD, MMM

I’m extremely excited to work with the Inova Fair Oaks Hospital (IFOH) team. They have a commitment to excellence that is evident every day. My immediate goal is to get to know the team and any issues or barriers facing IFOH so that we can better work together and continue to offer excellent care. 

One of the advantages that I have as an executive, both formerly at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital (IMVH) and now at IFOH, is that I’m still a practicing physician. As a physician, you learn how important it is to listen to all of the stakeholders on any given issue, so everyone has the ability to be heard. As an executive, I’m involved in strategic decisions and know the importance of including those who will be impacted directly by any strategic changes. Their input affects the outcome. In addition to my roles as CEO and a practicing physician, I love to educate. I lecture in the community about topics such as smoking cessation and heart disease prevention. I hope to see you at one of my lectures!

Learn more about Donald Brideau, MD, MMM.

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Inova explores benefits of medical music therapy program

Music therapy has the power to improve our physical and psychological health. This is the basis for the partnership between A Place to Be and a special music therapy program offered at Inova Loudoun Hospital, Inova Fair Oaks Hospital (IFOH) and Inova Fairfax Medical Campus.

“We’re not just playing music to make patients happy. We choose our music carefully — using it as a clinical tool to help meet a patient’s individual physiological or psychological needs,” explains Raymond Leone, MMT, MT-BC, music therapist and Director of Medical Music Therapy at A Place to Be.

Julie Hudtloff, CPXP, CEC, Patient Experience Manager at IFOH, often asks patients how a music therapy session affected them. “Music therapy can help soothe anxiety, stress, agitation and, in some cases, help with pain management,” she says. 

 A small 2018 Inova research study on music therapy in intensive care unit patients revealed these benefits along with positive effects on patients’ blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and respiration. The report was recently published in the American Journal of Critical Care.

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Music to Our Ears

Philanthropy makes programs like this possible. Donate or learn more.

The post Take Note With Inova appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

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Inova doctor’s inspiring medical story convinces patient to undergo open aortic surgery

Raymond Fernandez had already been through extensive treatment for his abdominal aortic aneurysm. To have it repaired, he had undergone minimally invasive endovascular procedures with a specialist twice in the past 10 years.

So he was feeling deeply depressed and confused when he had to be hospitalized last summer for the same life-threatening medical issue — further enlargement of the aneurysm with pending rupture. He was in excruciating pain, and while he had been operated on before for the aneurysm, to repair it this time would require open aortic surgery, which he had never experienced.

“I’m 79 years old and performed physical labor most of my life,” Raymond remarks. “The facts [about survival odds] combined with years of smoking did not provide me with the encouragement I needed to take on open aortic surgery.”

Resigned to an aneurysm

Raymond felt that even if the aneurysm proved fatal — which was very likely — his time would be better spent with his family rather than going through a long and painful healing and rehabilitation process. However, that mind-set changed when he talked with Homayoun A. Hashemi, MD, Chief of Vascular Surgery at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital.

“I was under a lot of stress when I met Dr. Hashemi,” Raymond states. “What a blessing this meeting was for my family and me. He introduced himself and explained the procedure on the computer, [showing me] the size of the aneurysm and the complexities of the operation.”

While Raymond appreciated the Dr. Hashemi’s ability to explain the surgery and how it would affect him, it was the doctor’s personal story that made him feel he was in the right hands.

“What gave me and my family faith and trust in Dr. Hashemi was after he showed us a picture of his father on his cell phone,” Raymond says. “Dr. Hashemi had performed a similar operation on his 88-years-young father eight years ago, and his father [who is also a physician] is now in his 90s and still active in the medical field.”

Moving ahead with surgery

Hearing this story gave Raymond the encouragement to go ahead with the open aneurysm surgery, which was a success. Raymond explains that Dr. Hashemi’s care didn’t end at the operating room: Once the patient was in stable condition, Dr. Hashemi walked him and his family through the recovery process and continued checking in on him each day — even feeding Raymond his first mouthful of solid food days after the operation. After being discharged, Raymond entered rehabilitation where he received calls from Dr. Hashemi and worked with physical therapists to get back to his regular life.

“Dr. Hashemi is a modern-day doctor with the bedside manner of a small-town doctor, and my family and I will always be grateful for his skill and the care he showed us,” Raymond says.

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In the Right Hands at Inova

Learn more about heart and vascular care at Inova.

The post A Tale From the Heart appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

FALLS CHURCH, VA– Inova announces that Steve Motew, MD, MHA, has been named Inova Health System’s Chief Physician Executive (CPE), effective today.  In this role, Dr. Motew will be responsible for building a comprehensive and integrated clinical and physician enterprise as the centerpiece of Inova Health System. This newly created role is a key part of Inova’s transformation.

A vascular surgeon, Dr. Motew most recently was Senior Vice President, Novant Health, President of Novant Health Institutes and Innovation Centers, where he was responsible for clinical care delivery across the enterprise service lines. Prior to this, Dr. Motew served as President of Novant Health’s Winston-Salem market overseeing clinical operations, growth, care delivery, quality and outcomes. Dr. Motew is known for his excellence in clinical care transformation, strategy development and execution, consumer focused healthcare, medical group and clinician leadership.

“Steve brings an impressive breadth of experience leading change, improving clinical outcomes and growing clinical programs,” commented J. Stephen Jones, MD, Inova President and CEO.  “He shares our values – keeping patients at the center. Given his style and ability, Steve has a critical role in establishing Inova as a best-in-class, high reliability organization.”

Dr. Motew received his BA in Anthropology from Emory University, MD Doctor of Medicine from the University of Illinois, College of Medicine, and his MHA Masters in Healthcare Administration from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 

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About Inova:

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider, employing more than 18,000 team members and serving more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes such as the Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Inova Schar Cancer Institute and Inova Neuroscience and Spine Institute. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Founded in 1956 as the Fairfax Hospital Association, Inova has grown with its surrounding community and the region to provide a full spectrum of health services, including Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,800 licensed beds.

Four of Inova’s five hospitals have received five-star rankings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; they are the only hospitals in the Washington, DC region to have earned the highest rating from the federal agency. To achieve its mission of providing world-class healthcare to a diverse community, Inova is home to prominent clinicians and scientists who drive innovation to improve patient care, prevent disease and promote wellness. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.

The post Steve Motew, MD, MHA Named Inova Chief Physician Executive appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Falls Church, VA – Inova is proud to announce that all five Inova hospitals were awarded ‘A’ grades from The Leapfrog Group’s spring 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. The designation recognizes Inova Health System’s efforts to achieving excellence by protecting patients from harm and providing safer healthcare.

This is the second consecutive grading period that all five Inova hospitals have received an ‘A’ grade.  Inova Loudoun Hospital has received straight A’s for 15 consecutive grading periods; Inova Fair Oaks for 14; Inova Mount Vernon for 10; and, Inova Fairfax and Inova Alexandria Hospitals for two consecutive grading periods.

“I want to recognize and thank our dedicated team members, whose relentless commitment to excellence has helped all five Inova hospitals achieve straight A’s from the Leapfrog Group,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and CEO, Inova Health System. “Our team’s dedication to high reliability and keeping patients at the center of all we do helps Inova deliver the best and safest of care to the community we are privileged to serve.”

The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization committed to improving health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers. The Safety Grade assigns an ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care.

“To be recognized nationally as an ‘A’ hospital is an accomplishment the whole community should take pride in,” said Leah Binder, President and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Hospitals that earn an ‘A’ grade are making it a priority to protect patients from preventable medical harm and error. We congratulate hospital leaders, board members, staff, volunteers and clinicians who work so hard to earn this A.” 

Developed under the guidance of a national Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.

To see Inova’s full grade details, and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.

About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider, employing more than 18,000 team members and serving more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes such as the Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Inova Schar Cancer Institute and Inova Neuroscience and Spine Institute. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Founded in 1956 as the Fairfax Hospital Association, Inova has grown with its surrounding community and the region to provide a full spectrum of health services, including Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,800 licensed beds.

Four of Inova’s five hospitals have received five-star rankings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; they are the only hospitals in the Washington, DC region to have earned the highest rating from the federal agency. To achieve its mission of providing world-class healthcare to a diverse community, Inova is home to prominent clinicians and scientists who drive innovation to improve patient care, prevent disease and promote wellness. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.

About The Leapfrog Group

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections. 

The post All Five Inova Hospitals Receive an ‘A’ for Spring 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Inova hospitals receive recognition for quality of care

Inova Fair Oaks (IFOH) and Inova Loudoun (ILH) hospitals continue to receive national recognition for their care efforts, which reflect, among other measures, that patients feel positively about their experiences and safety is sound.

Healthgrades, a leading resource for healthcare information, recently ranked IFOH and ILH among the 250 Best Hospitals in the U.S. IFOH received further designation as one of the 100 Best Hospitals, according to Healthgrades. 

Also this year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its quality ratings for hospitals nationwide. Both IFOH and ILH received the top designation: five stars. Of the more than 4,500 hospitals evaluated by CMS nationwide, only 337 — or 7% — received five-star ratings. 

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Kudos to Inova
Learn more about Inova’s awards.

The post A Winning Combination for Inova Fair Oaks and Inova Loudoun Hospitals appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Inova trips to the Philippines yield positive results

Here in the United States, we can take access to quality healthcare for granted. In that spirit, Inova medical staff recently completed two mission trips to the Philippines, where healthcare for low-income residents is often inadequate.

In 2018 and early 2019, the two teams of Inova specialists set up medical clinics with local doctors and performed dozens of surgeries. “Since I’m from Lipa, Philippines, I thought organizing a medical mission trip and providing vital medical care would be a great way to help people,” says Gerry Alcantara, CRNA at Inova, who spearheaded both missions.

Prior to the trip in 2018, he contacted the mayor and hospital administration in Lipa, who graciously accepted his request to stage the mission there. “We paid for our own airfare, and asked friends and family to donate other funds for things like accommodations, food and personal supplies,” Alcantara explains.

For the most recent trip, eight team members from across Inova Fair Oaks (IFOH) and Inova Loudoun (ILH) hospitals participated, with surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and surgical techs among those represented. IFOH and ILH also donated medical supplies and equipment for the mission.

More trips are planned, possibly as early as 2021. “The support of the staff members, both from Inova and those in the Philippines, was incredible,” says Chelsea Verdin, RN, of this year’s trip. “Everyone worked together to help make people’s lives better. It was truly inspirational.”

The post Medical Missions Accomplished appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

FALLS CHURCH, VA– All five of Inova Health System’s hospitals have been rated with 5 out of 5 stars in the most recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Five-Star Quality Rating System report.  Inova is the only health system in the country comprised of more than 3 hospitals where all are 5 star rated.  A CMS five‐star quality rating is based on extensive data that measures patient experience, infection rates, readmissions and mortality.

Inova Health System’s 5 Star hospitals are Inova Fairfax, Inova Fair Oaks, Inova Alexandria, Inova Mount Vernon and Inova Loudoun Hospital.

CMS, the top health agency of the federal government, created the Five-Star Quality Rating System as an evidence-based evaluation reflecting a hospital’s standard of care. The rating system is based on quality measurements that have real meaning for patient health and well-being, including safety, timeliness and effectiveness of care.

“A relentless focus on our patients and putting their needs at the center of every aspect of our work at Inova has earned this exclusive CMS recognition. I am incredibly proud of our team members and their commitment to safety, clinical excellence and delivery of an exceptional experience every time, every touch.” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Inova. 

CMS hospital rating results, comprising up to 51 patient quality measures, are accessible on its Hospital Compare page. The resource was created to help consumers, their families, and caregivers compare and evaluate hospital quality to set expectations and better inform their decision about a healthcare provider. Based on the CMS Five-Star rating, Inova is the premier destination in the Metro DC area for the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience.

Media Contact: Tracy Connell, tracy.connell@inova.org, 703-289-2087

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About Inova:

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider, recognized in 2019 by U.S. News & World Report, which named Inova Fairfax Hospital the #1 hospital in the Washington, DC region. All five Inova hospitals were awarded ‘A’ grades for the fall 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, recognizing Inova’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer healthcare. Each of Inova’s five hospitals hold 5-star ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), distinguishing Inova as the highest rated large health system in the U.S. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve.  Inova’s 18,000 team members serve more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes. Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,800 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.

The post All Five Inova Hospitals Earn Highest CMS Five-Star Quality Rating appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

The post A Message from Our CEO – April 23, 2020 appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Falls Church, VA – All five Inova hospitals were once again awarded ‘A’ grades for the spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades.  A national distinction, Leapfrog recognizes Inova’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer healthcare.

This is the fourth consecutive grading period that all five Inova hospitals have received an ‘A’ grade.  In fact, Inova Loudoun Hospital has received straight A’s for 17 consecutive grading periods; Inova Fair Oaks for 16; Inova Mount Vernon for 12; and, Inova Fairfax and Inova Alexandria Hospitals for four consecutive grading periods.

“Excellence is one of our core values at Inova” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and CEO, Inova Health System.  “Leapfrog focuses on quality and safety, which have always been critical at Inova, but now more than ever.  Leapfrog has rated all five Inova hospitals as Grade A for quite some time.  This Spring 2020 Grade A rating across all five Inova hospitals is even more important as our patients, team members and community all value safety and quality care during this global public health pandemic. We’re privileged to continue to provide safe, quality care to all in our community.”

“As the Nation copes with a challenging pandemic, our gratitude extends to hospital leadership and health care workers everywhere for their tremendous dedication,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We hope this ‘A’ helps to thank the people who work and volunteer for Inova. They are role models in putting patients first, and their service has been extraordinary in our country’s time of need.”

The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization driven by employers and other purchasers of health care committed to improving health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers. The Safety Grade assigns an ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to all general hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care.

Developed under the guidance of a national Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.

To see Inova’s full grade details, learn how employers can help, and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.

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

About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider, recognized in 2019 by U.S. News & World Report, which named Inova Fairfax Hospital the #1 hospital in the Washington, DC region. All five Inova hospitals were awarded ‘A’ grades for the spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, recognizing Inova’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer healthcare. Each of Inova’s five hospitals holds a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), distinguishing Inova as the highest-rated large health system in the U.S. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 18,000 team members serve more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes. Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,800 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.

The post All Five Inova Hospitals Nationally Recognized with an ‘A’ for the Spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Inova Health System’s Gynecology Program Ranks in Top 10 Nationwide

Falls Church, VA. – Inova Fairfax Medical Campus (IFMC) was named the #1 hospital in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area for the second consecutive year and sixth time ever, according to U.S. News & World Report 2020-21 Best Hospitals rankings. Inova’s gynecology department was named one of the top 10 best programs in the country, ranking #9 in the nation. Three of Inova’s five hospitals ranked in the top ten in the DC region for 2020.

The annual Best Hospitals rankings and ratings, now in their 31^st year, are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or for common elective procedures.

2020-2021 Rankings

Hospital	Washington, DC	Virginia
Inova Fairfax Medical Campus	#1	#3
Inova Alexandria Hospital	#4	#9
Inova Fair Oaks Hospital	#7	#12

Also noted by U.S. News & World Report in the Best Hospitals rankings, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus ranked #3 in Virginia; Inova Alexandria Hospital ranks #4 this year in Washington, DC, and #9 in the state; and Inova Fair Oaks Hospital is ranked #7 in DC and #12 in Virginia.

Importantly, Inova is also the only large health system in the nation with every hospital rated five stars by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

“During this unprecedented time, it is especially encouraging that Inova has been recognized regionally and nationally among the best hospitals for our continued commitment to providing world-class healthcare to the communities we are privileged to serve,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and CEO, Inova Health System. “Our hospitals have consistently ranked in the top 10 in the region for the past two years, confirming that we are among the leading health systems in the nation.”

For the 2020-21 rankings and ratings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 medical centers nationwide in 16 specialties, plus 10 procedures and conditions. In the 16 specialty areas, 134 hospitals were ranked in at least one specialty. In rankings by state and metro area, U.S. News recognized best regional hospitals based on high performing rankings across multiple areas of care.

“For more than 30 years, U.S. News & World Report has been helping patients, along with the help of their physicians, identify the Best Hospitals in an array of specialties, procedures and conditions,” said Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis at U.S. News. “The hospitals that rise to the top of our rankings and ratings have deep medical expertise, and each has built a track record of delivering good outcomes for patients.”

The U.S. News Best Hospitals methodologies in most areas of care are based largely on objective measures such as risk-adjusted survival and discharge-to-home rates, volume and quality of nursing, among other care-related indicators.

Best Hospitals was produced by U.S. News with RTI International, a leading research organization based in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

For more information about the 2020-21 rankings and ratings, please visit the FAQ. The rankings will be published in the “Best Hospitals 2021” guidebook (ISBN 9781931469951), available in stores October 6.

For more information, visit Best Hospitals and use #BestHospitals on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contact: Tracy Connell, tracy.connell@inova.org, 703-289-2087

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About Inova                              

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider, recognized in 2019 and 2020 by U.S. News & World Report, which named Inova Fairfax Hospital the #1 hospital in the Washington, DC region. All five Inova hospitals were awarded ‘A’ grades for the spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, recognizing Inova’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer healthcare. Each of Inova’s five hospitals holds a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), distinguishing Inova as the highest-rated large health system in the U.S., and the only system to have all hospitals receive five stars. Inova Fairfax Medical Campus was named to the Fortune/IBM Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals list, ranking in the top 10 nationwide among Major Teaching Hospitals. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 18,000 team members serve more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes. Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,800 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. A digital news and information company focused on Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars and News, USNews.com provides consumer advice, rankings and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

The post U.S. News & World Report Names Inova Fairfax Medical Campus #1 Hospital in DC Area for Second Year in a Row appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

All Hospitals Earn an “A” for Patient Safety for Fifth Time in a Row

Falls Church, VA – Inova Health System’s five hospitals were nationally recognized with an ‘A’  from The Leapfrog Group, an independent hospital watchdog organization committed to healthcare quality and safety. It is the fifth consecutive grading period in which all of Inova’s hospitals received this national distinction, which recognizes achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care. 

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is a letter grade Leapfrog assigns to all general hospitals in the United States twice a year. The grade is based on a hospital’s performance preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents and infections. Developed with guidance from leading quality and patient safety experts, the grade analyzes 27 measures of publicly available safety data among 2,600 acute-care hospitals. Methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.

The safety grade comes just one week after Inova Alexandria, Inova Fair Oaks and Inova Loudoun hospitals received The Leapfrog Group’s elite 2020 Top Hospitals award, which recognizes the highest quality hospitals in the United States. Recipients must achieve top performance on rigorous safety standards, including infection rates, safe surgery practices, maternity care, and capacity to prevent medication errors. Inova Alexandria, Inova Fair Oaks and Inova Loudoun hospitals are among just 105 facilities nationwide to earn this distinction.

“Being recognized by The Leapfrog Group for the highest safety performance nationally validates Inova’s efforts to provide the best quality care to our patients in the safest environment possible,” says J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and CEO of Inova Health System. “To achieve this recognition anytime is impressive; to earn it in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic is extraordinary, and further reassures our community that safety is a priority at Inova.”

“The Leapfrog Group is extremely grateful to hospitals and healthcare workers who have remained steadfast in prioritizing patient safety as our nation battles COVID-19,” says Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Top Hospital and Safety Grade are a testament to the care and commitment of everyone at Inova whose efforts made this possible.”

To learn more about Inova’s Safety Grade A rating, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org.

To see the full list of organizations honored as 2020 Leapfrog Top Hospitals, visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.

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About The Leapfrog Group

The Leapfrog Group is a nonprofit watchdog organization that serves as a voice for healthcare consumers and purchasers, using their collective influence to foster positive change in U.S. healthcare. Leapfrog is the nation’s premier advocate of transparency in healthcare—collecting, analyzing and disseminating data to inform value-based purchasing and improved decision-making.

About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider, recognized in 2019 and 2020 by U.S. News & World Report, which named Inova Fairfax Hospital the #1 hospital in the Washington, DC region. Each of Inova’s five hospitals holds a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), distinguishing Inova as the highest-rated large health system in the U.S., and the only system to have all hospitals receive five stars.  All five Inova hospitals were awarded ‘A’ grades for the Fall 2020 [I1] Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, recognizing Inova’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer healthcare. Inova Fairfax Medical Campus was named to the Fortune/IBM Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals list, ranking in the top 10 nationwide among Major Teaching Hospitals. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 18,000 team members serve more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes. Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,936 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.

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Perhaps you’ve tried every diet and exercise routine under the sun. And yet, the weight just doesn’t want to budge. If you feel like you’re stuck in an endless cycle of dieting, then regaining the weight, you may be considering bariatric surgery. 

Inova Weight Loss Surgery Program is a nationally recognized weight loss (bariatric) surgery program designed to meet your every need. Located at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, we are a fully accredited Comprehensive Center for Bariatric Surgery.

Our commitment is to you and to high-quality weight loss surgery. Our expert weight loss surgeons have performed more than 8,000 procedures – more than any other physician group in the Northern Virginia and Washington, DC regions.

If you’re thinking about getting weight loss surgery, ask yourself these questions:

1. Am I ready for this change?

Bariatric surgery will help you lose weight, but it’s also a commitment to a lifestyle change. Your bariatric team will recommend an eating and exercise plan to follow after surgery. Sticking to that plan helps you maintain your weight loss.

The good news is you won’t do it alone. You’ll have plenty of encouragement along the way from all of the professional support services we have available.

2. Do I qualify for bariatric surgery?

Talk to your primary care doctor about bariatric surgery. Your doctor can help you decide if this surgery is your next weight-loss option.

Typically, doctors recommend bariatric surgery for people with a:

• BMI of greater than 40 or those who weigh more than 100 pounds over their healthy weight
• BMI greater than 35 to 39 with a weight-related medical problem, such as sleep apnea or diabetes
• History of failed weight loss programs

3. Do I understand the long-term effects and risks?

While bariatric surgery may feel like a magic bullet, it’s major surgery. You may have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and vitamin deficiencies after the surgery. Some patients develop infections, gastric bleeding or ulcers.

This information should not scare you. Thousands of patients have bariatric surgery safely every year. But it’s helpful to understand what may happen. Discuss all of your concerns with your doctor and bariatric team so that you understand the risks.

4. Have I thought about other options?

If you’re seriously considering bariatric surgery, then you’ve probably already tried different weight-loss solutions. Before bariatric surgery, you will most likely need to try a six-month diet that you document, particularly if you expect your health insurance to cover the procedure.

Whether you are having weight loss surgery or hope to lose excess weight through medical weight loss program, we can answer your questions. Our multidisciplinary approach provides all the support and assistance you will need, from preparation through follow up and postsurgery lifestyle changes.

5. Have I thought about how to share this news with friends and family?

Sudden weight loss is different than a typical diet: people will notice almost immediately. You will have to take time off from work to recover from surgery. And since you need to change your eating habits, your friends and family may notice. Hopefully, everyone in your life will support your decision, but some may challenge you or disagree. That lack of support may make you question your decision.

Discuss this decision with some trusted friends and loved ones. Many bariatric surgery centers hold in-person or online seminars so you can learn about their approach. Consider bringing along someone who will give you honest and empathetic feedback.

Managing health is a lifelong process. Bariatric surgery may be the next step in your weight management plan. Or maybe you want to think about it for longer. In either case, do as much research as you can, so you can feel confident in your choice. Learn more about Inova’s Bariatric Surgery Program.

The post Should You Consider Bariatric Surgery? appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Deciding to get bariatric surgery is a big moment. And you want to feel 100-percent comfortable with the weight loss surgery center you choose.

Get to know the center. Most weight loss centers hold virtual seminars so you can hear their general approach to the weight loss surgery process. The seminar should cover what to expect, how it will affect your life long term, and insurance and payment information.

Respected bariatric centers have teams of weight loss professionals. Look for a center that has:

• An experienced bariatric surgeon
• A psychologist or therapist
• Nutritionists or dietitians
• Patient coordinators who help you with appointments and insurance

“Weight loss surgery has to be combined with a lifelong commitment to lifestyle changes and eating habit changes,” says Amir Moazzez, MD, Medical Director of Bariatrics at Inova. “We follow our patients very closely in our office for years to come, and we have every help available if they need a dietitian, a behavioral specialist or an exercise specialist.”

Inova Weight Loss Surgery Program is a nationally recognized weight loss surgery program designed to meet your every need. Located at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, we are a fully accredited Comprehensive Center for Bariatric Surgery.

Our commitment is to you and to high-quality weight loss surgery. Our expert weight loss surgeons have performed more than 8,000 procedures – more than any other physician group in the Northern Virginia and Washington, DC regions. When you meet with the bariatric surgeon for a consultation, we want to make sure you feel truly heard and seen.

Here are questions to consider of what to look for in a center, so you can make an empowered and thoughtful decision.

1. Did the team explore my goals and desires?

Your surgeon should ask you about your goals, not just your health history. While bariatric surgery will help you lose weight, it requires a lifelong commitment to a new eating style.

Explore your feelings and concerns with your surgeon and express your goals. An experienced team will answer your questions with empathy and help you feel comfortable.

2. Did they explain all of the different types of bariatric surgery, including the pros and cons?

Some patients do a lot of research before they start talking to a bariatric surgeon. It’s helpful to understand all of your options, so you can ask questions and have an informed conversation. The goal of bariatric surgery is to shrink the stomach to limit food intake.

Here are the fast facts about four common types of bariatric surgery:

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding

A bariatric surgeon places an inflatable band over the top of the stomach. The band divides the stomach into a top, smaller portion and a bottom, larger portion. You control the tightness of the band through a small port in the skin.

Gastric banding limits the amount of food you can eat, resulting in weight loss. You can have the band removed if you no longer want it.

Sleeve gastrectomy

This procedure is the most popular bariatric surgery. The surgeon removes 75 to 85 percent of the stomach. Because the stomach size is so small, you’ll most likely lose a large amount of weight. The procedure also affects your gut hormones, making you less hungry. You cannot reverse this procedure.

Gastric bypass

The surgeon first staples the stomach and creates a small pouch. Then the surgeon connects the small intestine to the small pouch, bypassing a large part of the stomach and intestines.

The smaller stomach holds a limited amount of food. Bypassing parts of the stomach and intestines also limits the calories and nutrients you absorb. And the procedure affects the hunger hormone, making you less hungry. These effects all combine to help you lose weight.

However, because the surgery affects nutrient absorption, it’s important to work with a dietitian. Your dietitian will help you develop an eating plan that ensures you’re getting the nutrition you need. This procedure, like gastric banding, can be reversed.

Duodenal switch

This surgery, the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch or BPD/DS procedure, is a more complex operation. It’s less common than the other procedures are. Doctors usually recommend it for people with a very high BMI (greater than 50).

Surgeons perform a sleeve gastrectomy, creating a smaller stomach. Then they reroute your digestive system, so the food doesn’t pass through the small intestine. This procedure affects how much you can eat, how many calories and nutrients you absorb and how your body breaks down food. All these effects result in weight loss.

3. Did I meet with a nutritionist, psychologist and other staff, besides a bariatric surgeon?

Most insurance plans will cover the costs of bariatric surgery if you follow a documented weight loss plan for six months before surgery. This process demonstrates that you are ready for the lifestyle changes that accompany weight loss surgery.

A nutritionist can help guide you to the right eating plan before surgery and can continue to help you after surgery. Counseling helps prepare you for the changes to your lifestyle after weight loss surgery.

4. Did I research more than one center?

Even though you may feel pulled toward one bariatric surgeon that you meet, make sure you talk to others. Many centers offer convenient telehealth visits and online seminars. Come to those consultations with a list of questions, so you can compare apples to apples when thinking through who to choose.

5. Did I feel comfortable?

Don’t underestimate the power of your intuition. If you don’t feel comfortable with the surgeon or the approach, then rethink it. Bring a trusted friend or family member with you to get another point of view. No matter how much research you’ve done, you probably have many questions you need answered. We invite you to join us to learn about the benefits of weight loss surgery at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital by registering for a free online seminar with one of our bariatric and metabolic surgeons. Click here to register and learn more of about benefits of weight loss surgery at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital.

The post What to Look for in a Bariatric Surgery Center appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Falls Church, VA – Once again, all five Inova hospitals received an “A”gradein the spring 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing Inova’s achievements in protecting patients from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.  The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades program is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospitals’ prevention of medical errors and other harms to patient care.

In addition to this significant achievement, Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, Inova Loudoun Hospital and Inova Mount Vernon Hospital have received 5-star ratings for the 2021 CMS Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating.  Inova Fairfax Medical Campus and Inova Alexandria Hospital also received impressive 4-star ratings from the federal agency.  Inova is still the only hospital system in the Washington, DC region with 5-star rated hospitals from CMS and is the highest ranked system in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“Safety at Inova has always been a priority, and even more so during the past year as we have more protocols in place to protect our patients, visitors and team members from COVID-19,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and CEO, Inova Health System. “We know that excellence in healthcare is a never-ending journey and the recognition from Leapfrog and CMS confirm that we consistently make it a top priority to keep our patients safe. With our relentless focus on putting our patients and their safety first and foremost, we are on the right path to becoming one of the leading health systems in the nation.”

“An ‘A’ safety grade is an elite designation that your community should be proud of,” said Leah Binder, President and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “The past year has been extraordinarily difficult for hospitals, but Inova shows us it is possible to keep a laser focus on patients and their safety, no matter what it takes.”

Inova Loudoun Hospital has received straight A’s for 19 consecutive grading periods, since the inception of the program.  Inova Fair Oaks has received A grades for 18 consecutive grading periods; Inova Mount Vernon for 14; and, Inova Fairfax and Inova Alexandria Hospitals six consecutive times.

Developed under the guidance of a national Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,700 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.

Inova’s 5-star ratings from CMS were earned through a rigorous analysis of 48 patient care standards during a three year period – July 2016 – June 2019 – including safety of care, re-admission rates, patient experience, effectiveness and timeliness of care, efficient use of medical imaging, and value of care. Of the 3,355 hospitals surveyed in the country, only 13% received the 5-star rating from CMS – and Inova holds three of those coveted ratings. These ratings help our patients make informed decisions about where they or a loved one may seek the care they need.

“This achievement is a credit to the dedication of each and every team member to provide safe, quality, high reliability and world-class healthcare to the communities we are privileged to serve,” said Dr. Jones. “The recognition by CMS underscores our commitment to Patient Always and reminds our patients that we are dedicated to providing excellent care every time they need us.”

Media Contact: Tracy Connell, tracy.connell@inova.org, 703-289-2087

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About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 18,000 team members serve more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes.  

Inova’s five hospitals are consistently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for excellence in healthcare.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,936 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org. 

The post Inova Hospitals Nationally Recognized for Excellence by The Leapfrog Group and CMS appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Falls Church, VA – Inova Fair Oaks Hospital (IFOH) has been recertified as an accredited Spine Center of Excellence by The Joint Commission. IFOH has been a Spine Center of Excellence for the past 11 years, placing them among an elite group of hospitals nationwide to achieve excellence in spine care. The Joint Commission is a credentialing body that evaluates healthcare organizations on the safe and effective delivery of patient care. Designation is based on compliance with consensus-based national standards and the effective use of evidence-based clinical practice. 

IFOH underwent a rigorous, multi-day onsite review of the spine program where they were evaluated for environment of care, infection prevention, medication management, quality of surgical care throughout the pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative care continuum, as well as clinical outcome measures, patient education and patient satisfaction.

The Joint Commission’s standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help healthcare organizations measure, assess and improve performance. The surveyors also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“At Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, we continue to lead the way in orthopaedic and neurosurgical spinal care, offering the latest advancements in technology and surgical options for patients,” said Christopher Silveri, MD, Co-Medical Director, Inova Spine Program, Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. “We have set a benchmark in our region and the country with six consecutive Joint Commission re-certifications as a Spine Center of Excellence.”

“We strive to bring the best in spine care to our patients including non-surgical care, pain management and surgical care,” added Donald Hope, M.D., Co-Medical Director, Inova Spine Program, Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. “Our re-certification reflects our continuous effort and commitment to providing safe and effective spine care for our patients.”

The Inova Spine Program is a collaboration between Inova Neurosciences and the Inova Musculoskeletal service lines and is an inter-disciplinary team of Inova and Inova-affiliated physicians consisting of physiatrists, anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, neuroradiologists, musculoskeletal specialists, rehabilitation specialists, therapists and nurses. The spine program helps patients determine the best treatment option for back and neck pain and spinal conditions whether in pain management, physical medicine and rehabilitation or surgical care with access to the latest surgical technologies and imaging equipment. To learn more about the Inova Spine Program, find a clinic location, a spine urgent care location, or hear from spine patients, go to www.inovaspine.org. To learn more about Inova Neurosciences, click here. Or, to read Inova Neurosciences Outcomes Report, click here.

“As a private accreditor, The Joint Commission surveys health care organizations to protect the public by identifying deficiencies in care and working with those organizations to correct them as quickly and sustainably as possible,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, Chief Operating Officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and Chief Nursing Executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend Inova Fair Oaks Hospital for its continuous quality improvement efforts in patient safety and quality of care.”

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.

Media Contact: Tracy Connell, tracy.connell@inova.org, 703-289-2087

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About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 18,000 team members serve more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes.  

Inova’s five hospitals are consistently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for excellence in healthcare.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,936 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org. 

The post Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Neurosciences Recertified as a Spine Center of Excellence by The Joint Commission appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Falls Church, VA – Inova Fair Oaks Hospital (IFOH) has been recertified as an accredited Knee and Hip Replacement Center of Excellence by The Joint Commission. IFOH has been a Joint Replacement Center of Excellence for the past 11 years, placing them among an elite group of hospitals nationwide to achieve excellence in spine care. The Joint Commission is a credentialing body that evaluates healthcare organizations on the safe and effective delivery of patient care. Designation is based on compliance with consensus-based national standards and the effective use of evidence-based clinical practice. 

IFOH underwent a rigorous, multi-day review of the joint replacement program where they were evaluated for environment of care, infection prevention, medication management, quality of surgical care throughout the pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative care continuum, as well as clinical outcome measures, patient education and patient satisfaction.

The Joint Commission’s standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help healthcare organizations measure, assess and improve performance.

“We understand that quality, safety and reliability matter most to our patients, which is why we make it a top priority to improve positive patient outcomes through evidence-based care processes,” said Dr. James Reeves, Chair of Orthopedic Surgery at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. “The Inova Fair Oaks Hospital team is truly honored with the reaccreditation as a Center of Excellence for Hip and Knee Replacement and we celebrate the knowledge, teamwork and dedication of our entire hospital staff.”

Patient Safety and quality of care are at the forefront of the Joint Commission standards and this recertification aligns directly with the Inova Health System’s drive to excellence and mission to provide the highest quality healthcare to all of the members of our community we have the privilege to serve.

“As a private accreditor, The Joint Commission surveys health care organizations to protect the public by identifying deficiencies in care and working with those organizations to correct them as quickly and sustainably as possible,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, Chief Operating Officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and Chief Nursing Executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend Inova Fair Oaks Hospital for its continuous quality improvement efforts in patient safety and quality of care.”

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.

Media Contact: Tracy Connell, tracy.connell@inova.org, 703-289-2087

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About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 19,000 team members serve more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes.  

Inova’s five hospitals are consistently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for excellence in healthcare.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,936 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org. 

The post Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Recertified as Hip and Knee Replacement Center of Excellence by The Joint Commission appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Inova Gynecology and Neurology Rank Nationally

Falls Church, VA – Inova is proud to announce that once again, Inova Health System has been recognized as the region’s leading health system.  Inova Fairfax Medical Campus (IFMC) claimed the top spot in the U.S. News & World Report 2021-22 Best Hospitals report with a number one overall ranking in both the Washington DC Metropolitan area and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Additionally, IFMC’s Gynecology department ranked #6 in the country, and Inova Loudoun’s department of Neurology and Neurosciences is among the top 50 in the nation at #41. These rankings are a result of U.S. News evaluating more than 4,750 medical centers across the country.

Inova Fair Oaks Hospital ranked #4 in DC and #10 in Virginia, and Inova Alexandria and Inova Loudoun Hospitals tied at #7 in DC and #13 in the state.

In addition to overall best hospital rankings, all five Inova hospitals received recognition for high-performance in several specialties and common adult procedures and conditions. Earlier this year, Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital ranked #40 nationwide in Neonatology.

“We are extraordinarily proud to have top-ranked hospitals in both Virginia and the Washington, DC region,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and CEO, Inova Health System. “Excellence in healthcare is an ongoing journey and year after year all five Inova hospitals demonstrate unwavering commitment to providing world-class care to the communities we are privileged to serve. People-centered care and patient safety is at the core of everything we do, and we are grateful that we continue to have the trust and support of our patients and community as the leading healthcare system in the region.”

The annual Best Hospitals rankings and ratings, now in their 32nd year, are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or for common elective procedures.

U.S. News introduced new data-driven inpatient Rehabilitation specialty ranking this year and added seven new categories in “Adult Procedures and Conditions” for evaluation (Heart Attack, Stroke, Pneumonia, Diabetes, Kidney Failure, Hip Fracture, and Back Surgery).

For the 2021-22 rankings and ratings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,750 medical centers nationwide in 15 specialties and 17 procedures and conditions. In the 15 specialty areas, 175 hospitals were ranked in at least one specialty. In rankings by state and metro area, U.S. News recognized hospitals as high performing across multiple areas of care.

“This year’s expanded report from U.S. News includes new ratings for important procedures and conditions to help each patient pick the right hospital for the type of care they need,” said Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis at U.S. News. “Hospitals faced incredible challenges this past year, and the best of them have provided great care throughout the pandemic and continue to offer excellent care today.”

The U.S. News Best Hospitals methodologies in most areas of care are based largely on objective measures such as risk-adjusted survival and discharge-to-home rates, volume, and quality of nursing, among other care-related indicators.

Best Hospitals was produced by U.S. News with RTI International, a leading research organization based in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

For more information about the 2021-22 rankings and ratings, please visit the FAQ. The rankings will be published in the U.S. News “Best Hospitals 2022” guidebook (ISBN 9781931469975), available for pre-order now from the U.S. News Online Store and for purchase at other bookstores October 5.

For more information, visit Best Hospitals and use #BestHospitals on Facebook and Twitter.

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About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 19,000 team members serve more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes.  

Inova’s five hospitals are consistently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for excellence in healthcare.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,936 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org. 

The post U.S. News & World Report Names Inova Fairfax Medical Campus #1 in Virginia and DC appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Falls Church, VA  –The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, once again awarded all five Inova Hospitals with “A” Hospital Safety Grades for achieving the highest national standards in patient safety. The Leapfrog Group assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to all general hospitals across the country, using more than 30 measures of safety data including rates of preventable errors, injuries and infections, while also accounting for whether hospitals have systems in place to protect patients from harm.

“Patient safety is paramount at Inova and I am extremely proud that all five of our hospitals are consistently awarded the top grade for hospital safety from Leapfrog,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and CEO, Inova Health System. “It takes the dedication of every single team member to earn an ‘A’ grade year after year and our community can be assured they will always receive the safest, highest quality of care at every Inova hospital.”

Inova Loudoun Hospital is one of only 23 hospitals in the United States to be awarded an “A” every grading cycle since 2012, with 20 consecutive A’s earned.  Inova Fair Oaks has received 19 consecutive “A” grades; Inova Mount Vernon has received 15 in a row since 2014; and Inova Alexandria Hospital and Inova Fairfax Hospital have received the top grade 7 times since 2018.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

“Inova has made a clear and consistent effort to protect patients from harm,” said Leah Binder, President and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Establishing and maintaining systems that optimize patient safety is especially critical during times of crisis. I am grateful to the leadership and workforce of Inova Health System for their unwavering dedication to protecting patients.”

To see more details on Inova’s performance and to access hospital safety tips for patients, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.

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

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About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 20,000 team members serve more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes.  

Inova’s five hospitals are consistently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for excellence in healthcare.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,936 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org. 

About The Leapfrog Group

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.

The post All Five Inova Hospitals Nationally Recognized for Straight ‘A’s by the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Jennifer Fraczkiewicz Taylor is always on the go. Between activities with family and friends, traveling, a range of hobbies that include training for triathlons and half-marathons, and her full-time work as a pediatric speech-language pathologist, Jennifer isn’t one to sit still. But a spine injury changed everything, derailing her quality of life for years – until Jennifer had spine surgery at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital.

When Jennifer was just 29 years old, she was in a minor car accident. She walked away feeling fine that day, but when she bent down to retrieve some laundry from her dryer the next day, she couldn’t straighten back up. She had a herniated disc in her spine.

The body’s spinal discs function as shock absorbers, enabling the spine to bend, flex, and twist. When a disc is damaged (as when it herniates), it can irritate and inflame the nerves traveling through the spine, causing shooting pain in the back and legs. Without treatment, the pain tends to get worse over time.

For the next seven years, Jennifer dealt with pain every day. She had regular physical therapy sessions, cortisone injections every three months, visits to a chiropractor, and daily medication for inflammation and nerve pain. She consulted with a surgeon at age 32, but she wasn’t ready to have back surgery.

“In my mind, I was too young to have to go through back surgery,” Jennifer remembered. “I had just started a new job also.”

By the time she was 35, the injections weren’t working well anymore, and she was frequently in so much pain that it was difficult to walk. In 2020, she met with orthopedic surgeon Christopher Silveri, MD, Co-Medical Director of the Inova Spine Program at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, which has been certified as a spine center of excellence by The Joint Commission for the last 12 years, to discuss her options.

“I followed her for a year before the operation. That’s what you need to do to give the patient the best opportunity to get better without surgery, because many times back and leg pain will improve with a multidisciplinary approach to conservative care, rehabilitation, proper physical therapy, adjustment in body mechanics, posture and activities of daily living,” Dr. Silveri said. “Unfortunately, Jennifer had considerable chronic back pain in addition to leg pain, which proved refractory to non-operative care, and eventually became intolerable.”

Jennifer knew she needed surgery. What she wasn’t sure about was how to fit surgery and recovery into her busy life – she was getting married in October. Typically, a person with Jennifer’s level of spine injury would have to undergo a spinal decompression and fusion, which requires a longer recovery and results in a less mobile spine. But because Jennifer was such a young and active person, Dr. Silveri recommended a more efficient procedure, known as an anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF). Dr. Silveri also worked with Jennifer to help her manage her symptoms so that she could wait to have surgery until after the wedding. During this time ,Dr. Silveri focused on determining the anatomical pain generators responsible for her chronic symptoms.

“An ALIF is a less invasive option that, in Jennifer’s case, would be as effective as a traditional posterior fusion but with less damage to the muscles and soft tissues in the back,” Dr. Silveri explained. “An ALIF allows us to remove the offending discs and restore the anatomy to its proper alignment and spacing, resulting in elevating the disc space to its normal height and providing decompression of the foramina which allows for more room for the nerve.”

In January 2021, Jennifer underwent a successful two level minimally invasive ALIF surgery at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, part of the Inova Spine Program. The Inova Spine program is Northern Virginia’s leading spine surgery program, combining the latest technology, experts with decades of experience and unmatched expertise, and comprehensive support services including dedicated patient navigators, a range of nonsurgical treatments and innovative pain management options.

 “The minute I woke up from surgery, my nerve pain was gone. All my spine pain was gone instantly,” Jennifer said. “I was in the hospital bed saying, ‘Why didn’t I do this sooner?’”

While she was in the hospital, she worked with Inova’s physical and occupational therapy team to learn how to walk, tie her shoes, get out of bed, and manage at home without lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds. “I was very pleased with the care of Dr. Silveri and his team, including his advanced practice provider, the nurses, and the therapists. Everyone was extremely thorough and on top of things,” Jennifer said.

Jennifer went home the day after surgery, and she was moving around normally within two to four weeks. Today, she is happy to report that she no longer needs medication. “I might take an ibuprofen once a month now,” she said.

Jennifer’s advice to others who are dealing with chronic back pain but have been putting off surgery?

Just do it. “Tomorrow is not guaranteed, and your quality of life is so important,” she said. “I put my quality of life on the backburner. I spent way too many days in pain when I should have spent it living.” Thanks to a successful spine surgery, Jennifer is back to doing exactly that: living her life to the fullest.

To learn more about Inova’s Spine Program at Inova Neurosciences, visit inovaspine.org.

The post After Seven Years of Pain, Jennifer’s Life Now Runs Smoothly After Spine Surgery appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Inova is launching an extension of its acute healthcare services with DispatchHealth, the nation’s first comprehensive in-home medical care provider. This partnership brings on-demand medical care in the comfort of a patient’s home for urgent illnesses and injuries that do not require an emergency room visit.

Inova will be leveraging DispatchHealth’s complete platform which delivers, provides, and coordinates medical care to patients for a wide range of injuries and illnesses, to include:

• Viral infections including COVID-19 and Influenza
• COPD exacerbations
• Congestive heart failure
• Minor fractures, sprains, strains, and bruises
• Pneumonia
• And more.

“Inova is excited to launch this new integrated care delivery solution that will provide expanded access for patients seeking acute medical care from the comfort of their homes 365 days a year,” says Toni Ardabell, MSN, MBA, Chief of Clinical Enterprise Operations. “This partnership with DispatchHealth complements Inova’s existing urgent care, primary care and emergency services in Northern Virginia.”

To request care, patients can call 571-393-1944, visit DispatchHealth.com or access a free mobile app, with no referral needed. Once requested, an emergency care trained DispatchHealth medical team that includes a nurse practitioner or physician associate, along with a medical technician, will arrive at the patient’s home equipped with the necessary tools and treatments to treat the patient in the home, including on-site diagnostics. DispatchHealth partners with most major insurance companies and handles billing directly with those companies.

For life-threatening and time-sensitive injuries and illnesses, patients should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. DispatchHealth shouldn’t be used in a life-threatening emergency, and it doesn’t replace a primary care provider.

“DispatchHealth’s proven value-based care approach redefines what is possible for a patient’s health care journey and empowers health systems to go beyond traditional care settings,” said Dr. Mark Prather, CEO and co-founder of DispatchHealth. “We are pleased to partner with Inova to bring high-quality care to patients with the proven convenience of effective care in the home.”

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

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About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 20,000 team members serve more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes.  

Inova’s five hospitals are consistently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for excellence in healthcare.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,936 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org. 

About DispatchHealth

DispatchHealth is building the world’s largest in-home care system to deliver trusted and compassionate care to all. DispatchHealth offers on-demand acute care and an advanced level of medical care for people of all ages in the comfort of their own homes. DispatchHealth’s emergency medicine and internal medicine trained medical teams are equipped with all the tools necessary to treat common to complex injuries and illnesses. DispatchHealth works closely with payers, providers, health systems, EMS, employer groups and others to deliver care in the home to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits, hospital stays and readmissions. Acute care medical teams are available seven days a week, evenings and holidays and can be requested via app, online or a quick phone call. DispatchHealth is partnered with most major insurance companies. For more information, visit DispatchHealth.com.

The post Inova Announces New Partnership with DispatchHealth to Provide In-Home, Same-Day Acute Care appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Falls Church, VA – Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, Inova Fair Oaks and Inova Loudoun hospitals were named Top Hospitals nationally by The Leapfrog Group. Announced today, the Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive. The Top Hospital designation is bestowed by The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers recognized as the toughest standard-setters for health care safety and quality.

“In addition to all five Inova hospitals being awarded A grades for safety by The Leapfrog Group, we proudly recognize that Inova Fair Oaks and Inova Loudoun hospitals have the honor of being named Top General Hospitals,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and CEO, Inova Health System. “Our team members truly understand the importance of providing every patient with a safe and quality care environment and we applaud their commitment to providing world-class healthcare to our community.”

Over 2,200 hospitals were considered for the award. Among those, Inova Fair Oaks and Inova Loudoun hospitals received the Top General distinction. A total of 149 top hospitals nationwide were selected as Top Hospitals, including:

• 8 Top Children’s
• 46 Top General
• 23 Top Rural
• 72 Top Teaching

The quality of patient care across many areas of hospital performance is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, surgery, maternity care, and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication and other errors. The rigorous standards are defined in each year’s Top Hospital Methodology.

“We are pleased to recognize Inova Fair Oaks and Inova Loudoun hospitals as Top Hospitals this year,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Even with the continued strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, Inova Fair Oaks and Inova Loudoun have demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to excellent health care in Northern Virginia. We congratulate the board, leadership, staff and clinicians who put their patients first.”

To qualify for the Top Hospitals distinction, hospitals must rank top among peers on the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which assesses hospital performance on the highest standards for quality and patient safety. To see the full list of institutions honored as 2021 Top Hospitals, visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.

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About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information, they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections. 

About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 19,000 team members serve more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes.  

Inova’s five hospitals are consistently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for excellence in healthcare.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,936 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org. 

The post Inova Fair Oaks and Inova Loudoun Hospitals Earn 2021 Leapfrog Top Hospital Award for Outstanding Quality and Safety appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

FALLS CHURCH, VA– Inova Health System issued its annual Community Report for 2020, highlighting its $334 million investment in the Northern Virginia community while enhancing excellence in patient care, commitment to team member well-being, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In 2020, Inova’s robust community investment included its commitment to charity care, research, education, and other programs benefiting patients and the region.  The health system focused on addressing the most pressing needs of the community including health equity, access to care and social determinants of health and implemented programs and strategies to address these community needs.

“Whether it is delivering world-class clinical outcomes, ensuring a smooth patient experience, or delivering compassionate care to every patient we serve, excellence is our goal,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and CEO, Inova Health System. “We have a responsibility to our communities – regardless of their status, background, or ability to pay – to tirelessly pursue the health outcomes that ensure they can thrive. Our 2020 Community Report illustrates how we’re achieving this goal.”

The healthcare inequities experienced by many in the Northern Virginia community were even more glaring in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Inova found that patients were delaying important care as fear of COVID-19 compounded access challenges. In response, Inova rapidly expanded its telemedicine capabilities, providing more than 175,000 primary care, behavioral health, and chronic disease virtual visits, along with nearly 10,000 in-person medical house calls to homebound seniors, ensuring all in our community had access to world-class Inova care while staying at home.

Moreover, Inova expanded access to services for under-resourced and at-risk communities, including nearly 22,000 primary care visits for the uninsured and underinsured at Inova Cares Clinics for Families. Inova’s Forensic Assessment and Consultation Team (FACT) treated nearly 900 survivors of sexual and domestic violence, leading the region in providing this critical service. Finally, Inova provided $125,000 in grants to partner community organizations, elevating those whose mission aligns with Inova’s community health priorities.

Inova and its team members continued to provide world-class healthcare amid a global pandemic in 2020, leading the region in COVID-19 vaccinations with more than 450,000 doses of the vaccine administered to teachers, healthcare workers and members of our community. As Northern Virginia’s largest nonprofit healthcare provider, the key community programs and investments outlined in the 2020 Community Report are core to Inova’s mission, and even more critical alongside the continued regional COVID-19 response.

The full 2020 Inova Community Report can be found here.

Media Contact: Tracy Connell, tracy.connell@inova.org, 703-289-2087

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About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 20,000 team members accommodate more than two million patient visits each year through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes. 

Inova’s five hospitals are consistently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for excellence in healthcare.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,936 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.

The post Inova Issues 2020 Community Report Highlighting Contributions to Health Equity, Patient Access and Excellence in Care appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

If you suspect you might be infected with COVID-19, please do not visit the emergency room for a COVID-19 test. Instead, seek out a community testing site or a home test kit. Inova Emergency Departments are prioritizing patients with medical conditions requiring emergency care and those with critical illness. We strongly discourage patients who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms from coming to the emergency room so we may preserve resources for those in our community with emergent medical needs.

We hope to establish a community testing site later this week– follow us on social media for details (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter).

The post Attention Patients appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Sybil Jones was a 43-year-old mother of three teenage girls, a busy entrepreneur, and the wife of a career officer in the United States Navy when the unexpected happened. She has an optimistic, laid-back personality and follows an active and healthy lifestyle. She certainly never thought she could have a stroke at such a young age.

But that’s just what happened on a Saturday evening in April 2021. Sybil had accompanied her husband, Marcus, to his going-away party – the family was preparing to travel to a new duty station, leaving the Washington, DC, region for San Diego – when one of the party’s guests noticed that her speech was suddenly slurred, and she was losing eye contact.

“I’ve played that day and that week over in my mind many times, but there was no clue before that moment that I was about to have a stroke,” Sybil said. As soon as Marcus looked at her, he could see that the left side of her face was drooping, and he called 911 immediately. The paramedics arrived moments later, by which time Sybil had lost her vision and was having a difficult time understanding speech.

The EMT team rushed Sybil to Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, which is a Joint Commission-designated Primary Stroke Center. Sybil’s stroke was quickly confirmed, and she was given a blood clot-busting medication to break up the clot in her brain and restore blood flow. The medication broke up some of the blood clot, but it was not completely dissolved.

Sybil was then transferred to Inova Fairfax Hospital, which is one of only 113 hospitals nationwide – and the only one in Northern Virginia – that is designated as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by the Joint Commission. It is the “hub” of Inova’s stroke system of care as well as a referral center for complex stroke cases region wide. Sidhartha Chandela, MD, the neurosurgeon and cerebrovascular specialist who was on call that night at Inova Fairfax, explained, “Inova Fairfax Hospital is unique in our region – it’s the only designated Comprehensive Stroke Center, which means that we have the highest technical capabilities and neurosurgeons on call to handle the most complex strokes as efficiently as possible.”

Once Sybil arrived, Dr. Chandela performed a mechanical thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure to retrieve the clot from inside a blood vessel in the right side of Sybil’s brain. “I was able to access her blood vessels through a small puncture in the leg and use tiny tubes and devices to reach the blockage deep in the brain and physically pull it out.” Dr. Chandela said.

After the successful procedure, Sybil spent five days at Inova Fairfax Hospital. “The care was fabulous. I had a lot of confusion as I recovered, and in addition, I did not fully understand what a stroke was or why it happened to me. I thought strokes only happened to older people or people with health issues,” Sybil said.

While Sybil was recovering, Inova’s team began to search for the cause of her stroke. “After a stroke, we work to identify what caused the clot. In a young and healthy person, you have to look at all possibilities,” said Inova neurosurgeon Ameet Chitale, MD.

And indeed, Sybil’s case was unusual. She had an undiagnosed, rare congenital condition called carotid webbing. “We identified that part of her carotid artery on the right side has a web, which means that part of the artery wall has an extra portion of tissue,” Dr Chitale said. “The extra tissue, called a web, causes the blood flow to stagnate in this one area, which tends to form a clot that can get pushed up to the brain, causing a stroke.” This condition needed to be repaired, so that it did not cause another stroke in the future.

Three weeks after her stroke, Sybil returned to Inova Fairfax Hospital for a surgical fix. Dr. Chitale repaired the carotid web by placing a metal mesh cylinder, called a stent, in Sybil’s right carotid artery, pushing the web against the artery wall and solving the problem. After Sybil’s carotid stent placement, she recovered in the hospital before heading home on Mother’s Day.

Between April and June, Sybil worked with Inova’s stroke rehabilitation team on an outpatient basis to strengthen her weak left side and help improve her speech processing. In June, she was cleared for relocation, and she and her family shipped out to California for Marcus’s next tour of duty, where she continued her rehabilitation. Aside from some lingering weakness on her left side, Sybil has regained full function after her stroke.

Today, Sybil is back to enjoying life – this time in the California sun. “I’m feeling fabulous, doing well and getting back to my regular day-to-day routine, including exercise, running my businesses, and caring for my family,” she said. “I can’t say enough about the care I received at Inova. My new mantra is, ‘be in the moment.’ I’m just living life to the fullest and doing my part to spread awareness about strokes, particularly the rare cases like mine.”

Learn more about the Inova Stroke Program and stroke patient support groups, or find an Inova neurological or neurosurgical stroke specialist near you.

The post Quick Action and Comprehensive Care Save Sybil After Rare Stroke appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Falls Church, VA – All five Inova hospitals have once again received “A” grades by the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for spring 2022. This national distinction recognizes Inova’s achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error in the hospital.

Inova Loudoun Hospital is one of only 22 hospitals in the United States, and one of only four in the state of Virginia to be awarded an “A” every grading cycle since 2012, with 21 consecutive A’s earned.  Inova Fair Oaks has received 20 consecutive “A” grades; Inova Mount Vernon has received 16 in a row since 2014; and Inova Alexandria Hospital and Inova Fairfax Hospital have received the top grade eight consecutive times since 2018.

“The care that our team members provide our community is extraordinary,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and CEO, Inova Health System. “Even during the stress of the pandemic, we have worked tirelessly to provide safe, high-reliability healthcare to each patient we have the privilege to serve.  This recognition from Leapfrog is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to putting patient safety at the center of everything we do, and I am incredibly proud of this achievement.”

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over thirty national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harms to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

“As our healthcare system continues to feel the strain of the pandemic, I thank the workforce and leadership of Inova for sustained commitment to patient safety, day in and day out,” said Leah Binder, President and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is an outstanding achievement, and one that is not possible without a 24/7 effort by the entire healthcare workforce to protect patients from harm. This community should be proud.”

To see Inova’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.

Media Contact: Tracy Connell, tracy.connell@inova.org, 703-289-2087

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About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward for patient safety. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. For more, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter.

About Inova
Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 20,000 team members care for patients through more than 2 million visits annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes.  

Inova’s five hospitals are consistently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for excellence in healthcare.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,936 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org. 

The post All Five Inova Hospitals Nationally Recognized for Straight ‘A’s by the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Falls Church, VA – Once again, Inova Health System has been recognized as the region’s top health system by U.S. News & World Report.  Inova Fairfax Hospital was named the #1 Best Hospital in both Virginia and the Washington, DC metropolitan area for the second year in a row. Additionally, IFMC’s Obstetrics and Gynecology department ranked #10 in the country. These rankings are a result of U.S. News evaluating more than 4,750 medical centers across the country.

In addition to overall best hospital rankings, all five Inova hospitals received recognition for high-performance in several specialties and common adult procedures and conditions. Earlier this year, Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital ranked #40 nationwide in Neonatology.

Inova Fair Oaks Hospital ranked #4 in DC and #8 in Virginia, and Inova Alexandria ranked #5 in DC and #10 in the state.

The annual Best Hospitals rankings and ratings, now in their 33rd year, are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive quality care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures.

“World-class healthcare is a team sport and I am proud to lead the Inova team which steps up every day, year after year, to deliver the safest and highest quality care to those we are privileged to serve,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, FACS, President and CEO, Inova. “To be named the number one hospital in the state and the region for the second consecutive year during a transformative period in healthcare illustrates our exceptional team and their ongoing commitment to putting our patients and communities at the center of everything we do.”

For the 2022-2023 rankings and ratings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 hospitals across 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions. For the first time, U.S. News rated eligible hospitals in Ovarian Cancer Surgery, Prostate Cancer Surgery and Uterine Cancer Surgery. In the 15 specialties, 164 hospitals were ranked in at least one specialty. State and metro area rankings reflect the highest performing hospitals in the area across multiple areas of care.

“The hospitals named among the best have extensive medical expertise and a history of delivering good outcomes,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “When patients and their medical professionals are considering their options for care, the rankings are designed to help them identify hospitals that are superior in the kind of care they may need.”

U.S. News evaluated each hospital’s performance using a variety of measures such as survival rates, complication rates, patient experience and level of nursing care. The Best Hospitals methodology factors in data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, American Hospital Association, professional organizations and medical specialists.

For more information, visit Best Hospitals and use #BestHospitals on Facebook and Twitter.

About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 20,000 team members provide more than two million patient visits each year through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes.

Inova’s five hospitals are consistently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for excellence in healthcare.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,936 licensed beds. More information about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

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The post U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals Rankings Recognizes Inova’s Excellence, Including #1 Hospital in Virginia and Greater Washington For Second Consecutive Year appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Falls Church, VA  – Inova is proud to announce that once again, all five hospitals have earned “A” Hospital Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization with a 10-year history of assigning letter grades to general hospitals throughout the United States. The grades are based on a hospital’s ability to prevent medical errors and harm to patients. The Leapfrog Group assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to all general hospitals across the country, using more than 30 measures of safety data including rates of preventable errors, injuries and infections, while also accounting for whether hospitals have systems in place to protect patients from harm.

“Excellence and Patient Always are two of our key values at Inova,” said Chapy Venkatesan, MD, Chief Quality and Safety Officer, Inova. “This honor from Leapfrog is a testament to the incredible commitment of our team members every day to providing the highest level of care while always keeping patient safety at the forefront of their daily work.”

A national distinction, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades recognize Inova’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer healthcare. Only 37 hospitals in Virginia were awarded “A” grades for the Fall term 2022, five of which are Inova hospitals

• Inova Loudoun Hospital is 1 of only 22 hospitals nationwide to earn “Straight A’s” since the program’s launch – marking 22 consecutive A grades
• Inova Fair Oaks has earned 21 consecutive A grades
• Inova Mount Vernon has earned 17 consecutive A grades
• Inova Fairfax and Inova Alexandria Hospitals have earned 9 consecutive A grades

“The care that our team provides our community is extraordinary,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and CEO, Inova. “I am exceedingly proud of their remarkable, continuous focus on high-reliability care, patient safety, and ensuring our patients remain at the center of everything we do.”

“I applaud the hospital leadership and workforce for their strong commitment to safety and transparency,” said Leah Binder, President and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is a sign that hospitals are continuously evaluating their performance, so that they can best protect patients. The Inova team should be extremely proud of their dedication and achievement.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

To see more details on Inova’s performance and to access hospital safety tips for patients, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.

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

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About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 20,000 team members serve more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes.  

Inova’s five hospitals are consistently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for excellence in healthcare.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,936 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org. 

About The Leapfrog Group

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps for patient safety. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents,
and infections. For more, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter.

The post All Five Inova Hospitals Receive Straight ‘A’s from the Leapfrog Group for Nine Consecutive Periods appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Additionally, Leapfrog recognizes three Inova hospitals as Top Hospitals for 2022

Falls Church, VA – Inova is proud to announce that the Steven Schroeder Award for Outstanding Healthcare CEO was presented to Inova President and CEO J. Stephen Jones, MD today at The Leapfrog Group’s annual meeting.  The Leapfrog group also recognized Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus and Inova Loudoun Hospital as Top Hospitals for 2022.

The award was created by Costs of Care, a leading non-profit dedicated to building a pipeline of change agents to deliver more affordable health care, in conjunction with The Leapfrog Group, to recognize a hospital and/or health system CEO who has demonstrated courageous and ethical leadership addressing the twin issues of affordability and quality of health care in their community.

“Affordability is one of the most important aspects of health care for patients, and a health system cannot claim to deliver great health care if they are not doing all they can to ensure patients are able to access and afford health services,” said Chris Moriates, MD, Executive Director of Costs of Care. “We created this award to encourage positive examples of leadership toward a more equitable and affordable health system.”

Central to Dr. Jones’s leadership over the past two years is his commitment to driving Inova’s transformation journey while adapting to the short and long-term impacts of the pandemic. To meet the growing healthcare needs and challenges in the community, Dr. Jones understands that Inova must evolve and excel to ensure greater access to seamless, high-quality, value-based, and patient-centered care for its patients. His steady and intentional leadership has not only continued to put Inova on a transformative path to success, but most importantly has demonstrated to the Inova team and the communities they serve that Inova is committed to providing high-quality, affordable care for all.

“It is my distinct honor to accept this truly meaningful award, and to do so on behalf of Inova’s more than 20,000 team members who provide world-class care to every patient in every community we are privileged to serve,” said Dr. Jones. “Accessible, affordable, and exceptional patient care is at the center of what we do at Inova, and I am exceedingly proud to lead this incredible team of leaders who are relentlessly focused on meeting our mission for the communities we serve today, tomorrow and for years to come.”

The Outstanding Healthcare CEO award is named in honor of Steven Schroeder, MD, Distinguished Professor of Health and Health Care at the University of California San Francisco and former President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Dr. Schroeder has spent five decades inspiring and mentoring leaders to forcefully advocate for better quality and more affordable health care, and he has inspired leaders of both Costs of Care and The Leapfrog Group.

Dr. Schroeder stated, “At a time when the U.S. health care system is under great stress, Dr. Jones and the Inova Health System that he leads, show that it is possible to be both responsive to community needs, as well as responsible stewards of community resources. We hope that his work will inspire other health care institutions to be similarly visionary and courageous.”

Leah Binder, President and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, stated, “We are proud to honor Dr. Jones for his leadership at Inova Health System.” She emphasized, “Inova is one of the only systems in the country that consistently earns straight As across all its hospitals for patient safety. That means Dr. Jones leads with the highest standards for excellence and makes patients the priority.”  

In addition to consistently earning the highest grades for safety from The Leapfrog group, this year, Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus and Inova Loudoun Hospital were all named Top Hospitals for 2022. The Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive.

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About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 20,000 team members serve more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes.  

Inova’s five hospitals are consistently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for excellence in healthcare.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,936 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org. 

The post Costs of Care Presents Inova President and CEO J. Stephen Jones, MD with the Steven Schroeder Award for Outstanding Healthcare CEO appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Also Recognized for Fourteen “Exemplars” for Top Performance

Falls Church, VA –– Inova Fair Oaks Hospital is proud to announce it has been re-designated as a Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Magnet status is considered the highest organizational honor awarded for nursing excellence. Currently only about 8 percent of the approximately 6,100 hospitals in the United States have achieved Magnet status.

“This Magnet re-designation is a testament to the exceptional quality of care provided by our nurses and the strength of our nursing leadership, said Raj Chand, MD, President and Chief Operations Officer, Inova Fair Oaks. “We are incredibly proud of and grateful for the nurses at Fair Oaks, who create a dynamic clinical practice environment where extraordinary clinical outcomes are achieved.”

In addition to receiving its Magnet designation, Inova Fair Oaks also achieved fourteen “exemplars” for top performance in nursing satisfaction, infection prevention for central lines and urinary catheters, care coordination, and patient satisfaction for responsiveness and careful listening. Exemplars are nationally recognized best practice models.

“Magnet designation is the gold standard of excellence in nursing, and I am proud to be part of an organization that has achieved this level of recognition,” said Deborah Fulbrook, Chief Nursing Officer at Inova Fair Oaks. “Our exceptional nursing team is the cornerstone of our organization and their dedication to excellence in caring for our patients and each other is the embodiment of Inova’s mission, vision, and values.” 

Hospitals applying for Magnet status must meet demanding criteria, including benchmarks in nursing leadership, excellence in patient care, quality clinical standards, and a commitment to continued quality review and improvement. The process for earning the status is lengthy and measures four years’ worth of performance data.

The work environment created by those designated as Magnet hospitals has proven to result in higher job satisfaction for nurses. A growing body of research shows this has a direct effect on the quality of patient care, evident not only in decreased mortality rates and shorter hospital stays, but also in higher patient satisfaction ratings.

To achieve Magnet status, organizations must demonstrate support for education and development through every career stage for its nursing staff including a nurse residency, specialty practice fellowships, a research and evidence-based practice program, and tuition reimbursement for Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees and higher education.

Inova Loudoun and Inova Fair Oaks hospitals have maintained Magnet status since 2006 and 2009, respectively. Inova Fairfax Hospital was among the first in the country to be recognized as a Magnet hospital in 1997 and maintained the designation through 2015 and was designated again in 2020. Inova Mount Vernon Hospital earned Magnet Status in March 2022. Inova Alexandria hospital is actively pursuing the designation.

About Inova
Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 20,000 team members care for patients through more than 2 million visits annually across an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes.  

Inova’s five hospitals are consistently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for excellence in healthcare.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,936 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org. 

The post Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Receives Magnet® Designation for Nursing Excellence appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Beret Fisher can’t afford to slow down – she’s a middle school history teacher responsible for educating 145 students, fostering their love of history, and giving them the tools they need to grow into productive and engaged citizens. But with severe degenerative disc disease, Beret couldn’t even bend over to tie her shoes.

“I have a family history of degenerative disc disease. My lower back began to give out regularly, and I was in constant pain,” Beret said.

Beret’s back pain was getting in her way. She couldn’t keep up with her workout regimen, and she couldn’t travel, which she loves to do. And every day in the classroom brought pain with it. Although she had tried everything from rest and anti-inflammatories to injections and ablation procedures, she wasn’t finding relief. She chose to talk with Faisal Siddiqui, MD, orthopedic spine surgeon with the Inova Spine Program about a surgical option.

“Dr Siddiqui did my neck surgery three years ago, which made a world of difference,” Beret said. “I wanted to get my life back, so after I had tried all the nonsurgical methods of dealing with my lower back pain without success, I went to him for help. I trust him.”

Dr. Siddiqui met with Beret and agreed that the time had come for surgery. “He said on the MRI, my spine looked like the spine of an 80-year-old,” Beret recalled. The rubbery discs that cushion the spinal vertebrae were wearing away in Beret’s lower back. A lumbar fusion would relieve this problem by fusing a portion of her spine in the lower back area into one long bone. Dr. Siddiqui chose a minimally invasive approach called an anterior lumbar interbody fusion, accessing the spine through the abdomen and using tiny instruments to perform the fusion.

“The Inova Spine Program has several strengths. One is volume – we perform thousands of spine surgeries every year, so no matter what a patient’s specific problem is, we’ve handled it many times before. Second is Inova’s ongoing investment in leading-edge spine surgical technology, which enables us to take advantage of the latest advances in spine surgery,” Dr. Siddiqui said.

Beret had surgery at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. For Beret’s surgery, Dr. Siddiqui used sophisticated 3D computer mapping technology and the O-Arm intraoperative surgical imaging system. This state-of-the-art equipment helped him determine the best angle and approach and gave him enhanced visualization of the surgical field throughout the procedure.

The Inova Fair Oaks Hospital team made sure she was well cared for before, during and after the procedure. “Everyone at the hospital was awesome. The whole staff was super helpful and kind, and the physical therapist was just wonderful. It was a really good experience,” Beret said.

Within a few days of surgery, Beret said, “I felt great. I had been in constant pain before surgery, but immediately afterward, I noticed a big difference.” She went back to work just six weeks later, and she is getting back into exercise with aquatic therapy several times a week. She is also looking forward to traveling again, where she’ll be able to go sightseeing and participate fully in the experience. She has referred several coworkers and friends to Dr. Siddiqui and the Inova Spine Program.

“I can do a lot more, because I have so much less pain,” Beret said. “Being able to do simple things like tying my shoes without having shooting pains down my back is just wonderful.”

To learn more about the Inova Spine Program, visit inovaspine.org. or call 703-776-4700.

The post Beret’s Back Pain Is History After Spine Surgery at Inova appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Sean Spera was getting ready for dinner one evening in July 2022, carrying a few items into the kitchen from the garage, when he suddenly found himself on the floor. Although he had dealt with back pain for more than 15 years, Sean, a 22-year veteran of the Prince William County Sherriff’s Office, had begun to experience sharp pain down his right hip and significant weakness in his right leg after lifting weights at the gym the day before. The pain subsided fairly quickly, but the weakness continued.

“My right leg was giving out when I tried to stand up, and I had numbness from my knee down,” Sean recalled.

The timing of Sean’s injury wasn’t great – his wife, Beret Fischer, was due to have major back surgery herself in just a couple of weeks. Beret recommended that Sean give her surgeon, Faisal Siddiqui, MD, orthopedic spine surgeon with the Inova Spine Program, a call.

Sean met with Dr. Siddiqui right away and learned that he had herniated a disc in his lower back. “The herniated disc was pinching the spinal cord’s nerves, which was causing Sean’s symptoms,” Dr. Siddiqui said.

Because of Sean’s age, job and active lifestyle, Dr. Siddiqui recommended surgery to address the issue. Sean was concerned that he’d be out of commission and unable to help Beret during her surgical recovery, but Dr. Siddiqui assured him that by using a minimally invasive technique called microdiscectomy, Sean would be back on his feet quickly.

Sean trusted Dr. Siddiqui’s expertise. “Dr. Siddiqui and his staff were all great,” he said. “They are calm, relaxed and professional. They know what they’re doing, and they really put me at ease.”

“In Sean’s case, his symptoms, particularly his leg weakness, progressed rapidly,” Dr. Siddiqui said. “We had this narrow window of time to get him fixed, so he could be ready to care for Beret after her surgery just one week later. One of Inova’s many advantages for spine surgery is how quickly we can get patients like Sean scheduled and ready for surgery.”

A few days later, Sean was preparing for surgery. He gives Inova Fair Oaks Hospital high marks. “All of the pre-op procedures went smoothly. The staff explained everything in detail and answered all my questions. The spine patient navigator was especially helpful, arranging my pre-op appointments and staying in close contact,” he said.

Dr. Siddiqui performed a minimally invasive lumbar discectomy, which uses tiny incisions and microscopic instrumentation to remove a portion of the damaged spinal disc and relieve the pressure on the spinal nerves that was causing Sean’s symptoms. The surgery went exactly as planned, and after spending a couple of hours in the post anesthesia care unit, Sean was able to go home.

Sean had the surgery on a Wednesday and was cleared to drive by the weekend. “I was able to get my wife to the hospital and could maneuver to get the cooking, laundry and other chores at home done while she recovered,” he said. The couple’s two teenagers stepped up to help out, too, because Sean couldn’t bend, lift or twist for a few weeks. He went back to light duty at work less than three weeks later and was back to full duty just 10 weeks after surgery.

“I have been able to get back to my normal routine without pain, which makes me happy,” Sean said.

The Inova Spine Program’s team handles a high volume of spine surgery patients like Sean and Beret each year. “We’re experienced in these procedures, including minimally invasive surgical techniques like those I used with Sean. Being at Inova for 18 years, I’ve done thousands of similar surgeries,” Dr. Siddiqui said. “From the pre-op process, to the surgery itself, to postoperative management, the Inova Spine Program is a very smooth-running machine.”

To learn more about the Inova Spine Program, visit inova.org/spine, or call 703-776-4700.

The post Sean Gets Back on His Feet Quickly After Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Grades reflect top national performance in patient safety, particularly through COVID-19 pandemic

Fairfax, VA – All five Inova hospitals received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit upholding the standard of patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. This national distinction celebrates Inova’s achievements in prioritizing patient safety by protecting patients from preventable harm and errors. The new grades reflect performance primarily during the height of the pandemic.

“Excellence in healthcare is not a one-time achievement, but a habit of continuously striving to live our values of putting the patient at the center of everything we do,” said Chapy Venkatesan, MD, Chief Quality and Safety Officer, Inova. “Receiving straight A grades from the Leapfrog Group year after year is a testament to our unwavering commitment to provide the safest, highest quality of care.”

A national distinction, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades recognize Inova’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer healthcare. Only 27 hospitals in Virginia were awarded “A” grades for the spring term of 2023, five of which are Inova hospitals:

• Inova Loudoun Hospital is 1 of only 20 hospitals nationwide to earn “Straight A’s” since the program’s launch – marking 23 consecutive A grades
• Inova Fair Oaks has earned 22 consecutive A grades
• Inova Mount Vernon has earned 18 consecutive A grades
• Inova Fairfax and Inova Alexandria hospitals have earned 10 consecutive A grades

“I am, once again, immensely proud to see all five Inova hospitals receive top grades from the Leapfrog Group, demonstrating our laser focus on prioritizing patient safety and delivering high-quality care, despite the ongoing challenges presented by the healthcare landscape,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and CEO, Inova.

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

“We find with these newest Hospital Safety Grades that patient safety has suffered major setbacks nationally during the pandemic. But that’s not the case at Inova, all of which have earned straight ‘A’ grades for more than a decade,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group.  “That is an extraordinary accomplishment, particularly now, and shows a relentless determination to put patients first no matter what the circumstances. My congratulations for inspiring all Americans with your leadership against all the odds.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

To see Inova’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook and via its newsletter. 

Media Contact: Tracy Connell, tracy.connell@inova.org, 703-674-9357

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About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 20,000 team members care for patients through more than 2 million visits annually across an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services, and destination institutes. 

Inova’s five hospitals are consistently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals, and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for excellence in healthcare.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,936 licensed beds. More information about Inova can be found at inova.org.

About The Leapfrog Group                                                                                   

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps for patient safety. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections. For more, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter.

The post All Five Inova Hospitals Awarded Spring 2023 ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from Leapfrog Group appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Fairfax, VA — The American Heart Association (AHA) and American Stroke Association (ASA) Get With The Guidelines ®-Stroke program has recognized all five Inova hospitals with Gold Plus awards for achieving excellence in stroke care, including:

• Gold Plus – Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite (Inova Alexandria, Loudoun, and Mount Vernon hospitals)
• Gold Plus – Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus (Inova Fairfax and Fair Oaks hospitals)
• Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll (all hospitals)
• Advanced Therapy (Inova Alexandria Hospital)

Stroke is the #5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures and bleeds. Subsequently, these affected areas of the brain become starved for vital nutrients, which  can lead to permanent brain damage.  Early stroke detection and treatment that reduce the likelihood for further brain damage are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.

“Receiving the Gold Plus recognition for Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke program is a testament to Inova’s unwavering commitment to excellence in stroke care,” said Laith Altaweel, Inova System Stroke Medical Director. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our exceptional stroke teams who provide the highest standard of care to stroke patients.  We are proud to be recognized for our efforts in implementing evidence-based guidelines and protocols, ensuring optimal outcomes and improved quality of life for those affected by stroke.”

These designations indicate that Inova applies the most up-to-date evidence-based treatment guidelines to improve patient care and outcomes in the communities we serve.  Click here to learn more about Get With The Guidelines ®-Stroke.

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

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About Inova
Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 20,000 team members care for patients through more than 2 million visits annually across an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes.  

Inova’s five hospitals are consistently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for excellence in healthcare.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,936 licensed beds. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org. 

The post American Heart Association and American Stroke Association Recognizes Inova Hospitals for Excellence in Stroke Care appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Falls Church, VA – Inova Health System has been recognized as the region’s top health system by U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals 2023 Rankings. Inova Fairfax Medical Campus (IFMC) was named the #1 Best Hospital in both Virginia and the Washington, DC metropolitan area for the third year in a row. Additionally, IFMC’s Obstetrics and Gynecology department ranked among the top 20 hospitals in the country.

“Being honored as the top hospital in our region for three consecutive years is an extraordinary achievement, and one we do not take for granted,” said Steve Narang, MD, President, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus. “We owe this success to the collective efforts of our dedicated team of medical professionals, team members and partners who work every day to deliver the highest standard of patient-centered care.”

Inova Fair Oaks Hospital and Inova Alexandria Hospital both ranked #8 in DC and #9 in Virginia.

In addition to overall best hospital rankings, all five Inova hospitals received recognition for high-performance in several specialties and common adult procedures and conditions. Earlier this year, Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital ranked #46 nationwide in Neonatology.  The hospital also ranked #3 in Virginia and #17 in the Mid-Atlantic Region for best children’s hospitals.

“We are grateful to our patients, their families and our community, whose trust and confidence in the care we provide has been invaluable,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and CEO, Inova Health System. “We pledge to continue delivering world-class care to every patient we have the privilege to serve.”

The annual Best Hospitals rankings and ratings, now in their 34^th year, evaluate 4,500 medical centers across the country and are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive quality care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures.

U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 hospitals across 15 specialties and 21 procedures and conditions; only 12% of evaluated hospitals earned a Best Hospitals ranking. Hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, level of nursing care and patient experience.

“For 34 years, U.S. News has provided data-informed rankings to help patients and their doctors find the best hospital to treat their illness or condition,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News.

For more information on the U.S. News Best Hospitals, explore Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #BestHospitals.

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

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About Inova

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Inova’s 20,000 team members provide more than two million patient visits each year through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes.

Inova’s five hospitals are consistently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for excellence in healthcare.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,936 licensed beds. More information about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate, Careers and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

The post U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals Rankings Recognizes Inova’s Excellence, Including #1 Hospital in Virginia and Greater Washington for Third Consecutive Year appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

Courtney Culbreath, MD, is a specialty care physician board certified in general surgery at Inova. She specializes in minimally invasive and robotic bariatric surgery, endobariatrics, and general surgery. Dr. Culbreath is committed to helping her patients achieve longer, healthier lives through long-term weight loss.

Type 2 diabetes affects 35 million Americans. Nearly 65% of these people also have obesity. These two conditions create a serious health concern doctors call “diabesity.” People with diabesity have a higher risk of other conditions including heart attack, stroke, blindness and kidney failure.

Bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery) is a safe, effective way to send diabesity into remission or prevent it altogether. Inova bariatric surgeon Courtney Culbreath, MD, explains why bariatric surgery works and who might benefit from it.

Why is weight loss so hard?

The first-line treatment for diabesity is diet, exercise and a diabetes control medication. But for many people, lifestyle changes don’t help them lose all the weight they need. Though they might drop a few pounds, the weight often comes back.

“As you eat less, certain hormones increase, making you hungrier,” explains Dr. Culbreath. “Your metabolism may also slow down, so it’s harder to keep the weight off. Many people become frustrated when they’re making healthy choices but not seeing the results they need.”

The power of bariatric surgery

All types of bariatric surgery help your body learn to eat less. But this surgery is not just about restricting food or “shrinking your stomach.”

“Bariatric surgery is also metabolic surgery,” says Dr. Culbreath. “The procedure changes your metabolism and hormones, so weight loss comes more easily. With the right bariatric procedure, people with diabesity can gain good blood sugar control and avoid dangerous complications of diabetes. And in some cases, weight loss surgery is a cure for type 2 diabetes.”

Which surgeries treat diabesity?

Gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery are the most common procedures for diabesity. Both change how much your stomach can hold and how your intestines absorb the food you eat.

“Gastric bypass and gastric sleeve are both good choices for people with diabesity,” says Dr. Culbreath. “A bariatric surgeon can explain each procedure to you so you can decide which will work best for you.”

The data shows just how powerful bariatric surgery is. An incredible 80% of people with diabesity experience remission (they no longer need diabetes medications) one year after gastric bypass. For gastric sleeve, the remission rate is 60%.

And those results last: Statistics show that 96% of obese people who had gastric bypass surgery do not have type 2 diabetes two years later. Fifteen years after bariatric surgery, that rate is 78%.

“Bariatric surgery is preventive medicine, not just a treatment,” says Dr. Culbreath, “You don’t have to have type 2 diabetes or other health conditions to be a candidate for the procedure.”

Who is eligible for bariatric surgery?

How do you know if bariatric surgery is an option for you? First, you have to know your body mass index (BMI). Find your BMI quickly and easily with Inova’s online BMI calculator.

You may be a candidate for bariatric surgery if you have a BMI of:

• 35 or greater and have type 2 diabetes
• 40 or greater, with or without other health problems

Choosing a bariatric surgeon

If you’re considering a bariatric procedure, finding the right surgeon is vital. Inova’s bariatric surgeons are expertly trained and highly experienced. We provide laparoscopic and robotic procedures, using tiny incisions for less pain and a faster recovery.

“Our techniques get patients back on their feet quickly,” says Dr. Culbreath. “Most of our patients go home the day after their surgery. After that, they usually go back to work after two weeks.”

The comprehensive team is the key to success in Inova’s Bariatric Surgery Program. “Our team includes every specialist you need, including educators, counselors, dietitians, exercise physiologists, bariatricians and surgeons,” says Dr. Culbreath. “And we support you every step of the way. We want you to meet your weight loss goals as much as you do.”

All of Inova’s bariatric procedures occur at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, a Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery. “We earned the Center of Excellence designation because we have a cohesive team that provides the highest quality care,” says Dr. Culbreath.

Weighing the costs of surgery

If you’re a candidate for bariatric surgery, don’t let financial concerns hold you back. Inova accepts all major insurances for bariatric surgery, and many provide coverage for the procedure. Inova also offers flexible self-pay options to help make costs more manageable.  

What about weight loss medications?

Social media has been buzzing about the newest antidiabetic and weight loss medications, known as GLP-1 agonists, such as OzempicÒ and TrulicityÒ. These drugs are a significant medical breakthrough, but they are not a substitute for bariatric surgery. Rather, they can be used in combination with surgery for additional benefits.

“Weight loss and diabetes medications alone can be effective for people who don’t have diabesity or severe obesity,” says Dr. Culbreath. “We also combine medications with bariatric surgery when a patient needs that extra support. Studies show that most people who have bariatric surgery lose more weight and keep it off longer than those who take medications. Surgery is the gold standard of treatment for diabesity, and we can boost its effects with medications.”

Start your weight loss journey

Are you ready to look into weight loss options? Your primary care provider is a good place to start. You can also contact Inova Bariatric Surgery. We provide free consultations and weight loss surgery webinars, where you learn more about the procedures. We’ll help you make an informed decision about your care so you can get on the path to a healthier you.

The post Diabesity: How bariatric surgery is changing lives appeared first on Inova Newsroom.

New Grade for Fall 2023 is a national recognition for patient safety

Fairfax, VA, November 6, 2023 – All five Inova hospitals earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog that sets standards for excellence in patient care.  Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

“I am immensely proud that all five Inova hospitals received straight A grades from the Leapfrog Group again this year,” said Chapy Venkatesan, MD, Chief Quality Officer, Inova.  “This remarkable accomplishment is not just an accolade; it is a reflection of our unwavering commitment patient safety.”

A national distinction, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades recognize Inova’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer healthcare. Only 35 hospitals in Virginia were awarded “A” grades for the fall term of 2023, five of which are Inova hospitals.

• Inova Loudoun Hospital is 1 of only 18 hospitals nationwide to earn “Straight A’s” since the program’s launch – marking 24 consecutive A grades
• Inova Fair Oaks has earned 23 consecutive A grades
• Inova Mount Vernon has earned 19 consecutive A grades
• Inova Fairfax and Inova Alexandria hospitals have earned 11 consecutive A grades

“I am proud of our healthcare teams for their continued dedication and hard work in maintaining these exceptional standards,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, President and CEO, Inova. “This achievement reinforces our pledge to make safety a top priority and underscores our promise to provide the highest quality care to every patient in every community we serve.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program exclusively based on hospital prevention of medical errors, infections and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day nationally. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually in the fall and spring.

“Earning an ‘A’ Grade means Inova made a true commitment to put patients first,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We congratulate the leadership, Board, clinicians, staff and volunteers that all had a role to play in this achievement.”

To see Inova’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook and via its newsletter. 

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About Inova
We are Inova, Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. With expertise and compassion, we partner with our patients to help them stay healthy. We treat illness, heal injury and look at a patient’s whole health to help them flourish.​ Through our expansive network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers and outpatient services, Inova cares for more than one million patients annually, delivering the best clinical care and a seamless experience. Consistently ranked and recognized as a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience, Inova’s world-class care is made possible by the strength and breadth of our network, our 22,000 team members, our technology and our innovation. Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and provides high-quality healthcare to every person in every community we are privileged to serve – regardless of ability to pay – every day of their life. More information about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.

About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps for patient safety. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections. For more, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter.

The post All Five Inova Hospitals Earn ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group appeared first on Inova Newsroom.