In the News
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Prescription Strength
Pilot Project Helps to Eliminate Med Confusion in Emergency Department
A pilot project in play at Inova Alexandria Hospital allows Emergency Department (ED) staff to electronically access a patient’s medication — no matter where in the United States those prescriptions were written. The purpose of the project, known as MEDS-ED, is to eliminate medication confusion during a medical emergency.
Information from the project is automatically added to the patient’s electronic medical record from multiple data sources and then verified with the patient. This system helps ED physicians make more effective patient assessments, which may result in faster patient treatment. The hospital has participated in the pilot with the Northern Virginia Regional Health Information Organization Inc. (NoVaRHIO).
MEDS-ED is not the only innovation happening in the hospital’s ED. It is also working with NoVaRHIO and its participating organizations to lay the groundwork for Northern Virginia’s first health information exchange in the emergency department setting.
Similarly, Inova will launch an integrated electronic medical record (EMR) system this year. EpicCare will link a patient’s medical information from its five hospitals, outpatient treatment centers and participating community physicians. All sites will “go live” by 2013.
Epic Change
Learn more about the EpicCare medical record system here.
Safety First
Patient Safety Is Our Goal
You are our No. 1 priority. That is why Inova takes a number of measures to keep you, our patients, safe while you are in the hospital. Inova employees make sure to adhere to the following steps:
- Wash their hands before and after they provide care
- Conduct safety huddles twice a day in each department
- Encourage you and your visitors to report concerns about your safety
- Identify patients at risk for falls and utilize proper fall-prevention strategies
- Involve the patient in marking the part of the body where a procedure is to be done
- Ask for two patient-specific identifiers before administering medications or treatments
- Educate you and your family about the medications you are taking and possible side effects
- Identify all visitors and contract workers before entering and leaving the hospital
You’re Tops
Find out more about Inova Alexandria Hospital here.
Unveiling
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Inova Alexandria Hospital at Mark Center held its official ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 4. The Center is home to the Advanced Imaging Center, Inova Internal Medicine and Inova Breast Care Center. Pictured here (L-R): Christine Candio, CEO, Inova Alexandria Hospital; Frank Fannon, Alexandria City councilman; William Euille, Alexandria mayor; Mark Stauder, President and COO, Inova Health System; Del Pepper, Alexandria City councilwoman; John Long, president and CEO, Alexandria Chamber of Commerce; and Senator George Barker.
A Clearer View
The Inova Advanced Imaging Center at the new Inova Alexandria Hospital at Mark Center is now using a 3-T (Tesla) MRI, one of the few in the area. What makes a 3-T better?
- Better diagnostic capabilities
- Two times the strength of most conventional MRI scanners, which typically operate at .3–1.5 Tesla
- An imaging resolution increased by 16 times, which means more detailed images
- Open bore (70 cm), allowing for better patient comfort (less claustrophobic) and accommodating patients of all sizes
3-T MRI procedures now available include:
- Neurological/brain imaging
- Spine studies
- Orthopedic, including elbow, wrist, hip, knee, foot and ankle
- Prostate
- Pelvis — male and female
- Abdominal
- Brain fiber tracking
- Breast MRI
- Cartilage mapping
Come See Us
To schedule an appointment at the Inova Advanced Imaging Center, call 571-423-5400.
Body Works
Take Care of Your Joints, and They Will Stay Healthy in the Long Term
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Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, affecting nearly 27 million Americans. While it’s not always possible to avoid OA, there are actions we can take to protect our joints and, thus, help prevent the deterioration of our joints. Here are a few:
Stay trim. The more you weigh, the more stress you are putting on your joints, particularly your hips, knees, back and feet.
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Exercise. Moving your body protects your joints by strengthening the muscles around
them. Strong muscles keep your
joints from rubbing against each
other, which can wear down
cartilage.
Work right. Sitting incorrectly at
our workstations can take a toll
on our joints. Make sure your
elbows and forearms are
comfortably supported, and that
your thighs rest parallel to the
ground. Also, make sure you are
comfortable sitting and reading
the computer screen with your hand on the mouse.
Don’t overdo it. Repetitive stress on joints for long periods of time can accelerate the wear and tear that causes OA. Break up vigorous exercise sessions with periods of rest.
Practice moderation in fitness. You may not be ready for a marathon after a month of running, and that’s OK. Start new activities slowly and safely until you know how your body will react to them. This will reduce the chance of injury.
Take your body seriously. If something hurts while you are exercising, pay attention. It could be a sign you have overstressed your joints.
Joint Health
Learn more about osteoarthritis and joint replacement here.
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Talk to Us We at Inova want to provide the healthcare services and education you and your family need to get and stay healthy. Please go here and take a short survey to help us understand today’s most important health issues for you and your family. |
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Get ‘Fit’ This Fall
Free Online Wellness Campaign Features Weekly Tips on Staying Fit and Healthy
Join Inova experts online for tips on healthy eating, exercise and wellness. Inova‘s “Fit for Fall” and “Fit for Winter” online wellness programs are free, and with more than 7,000 online members participating so far, we welcome you to join us!
Log on here today to learn more and get started! Inova is a not-for-profit healthcare system.
The Doctors Are In
Primary Care Offices Now Open
Having problems getting in to see a doctor? Need to find one closer to you? Inova Internal Medicine – Mark Center, Inova Family Medicine – Springfield and Inova Internal Medicine – Old Town are open and accepting new patients.
Appointments Welcome
Inova Internal Medicine – Mark Center
1800 N. Beauregard St., Suite 100, Alexandria
703-933-8111
Inova Family Medicine – Springfield
6355 Walker Lane, Suite 500, Alexandria
703-797-6970
Inova Internal Medicine – Old Town
325 S. Washington St., Alexandria
703-683-7220
DOCTORS Nanako Broughton, MD Z Chris, MD Ray Shabti, MD Daniele Nunez, MD January Umayam, MD Bijal Desai, MD Alan Richey, MD |
