Inova opens Northern Virginia’s first EmPATH Unit to address growing behavioral health needs

Adult and pediatric ERs at Inova Fairfax Hospital expanded to serve more patients

Fairfax, VA — November 12, 2024 — Inova Fairfax Hospital announced today that it will open the region’s first EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing) unit, a specialized facility designed to provide a safe, calming environment for patients experiencing a mental health crisis. The innovative unit, which will open to patients on Nov. 19, is in response to community need for enhanced behavioral health services. It is a significant component of Inova’s $161 million emergency department expansion and renovation project at Inova Fairfax Hospital, which includes expanded adult and pediatric emergency room space to meet the rising volume of emergency visits. 

With nearly 175,000 patient visits in 2023, the Inova Fairfax Hospital ER is the fourth busiest emergency room in the nation. The number of patients seeking behavioral health services at the Inova Fairfax Hospital ER has surged by more than 30% in recent years, underscoring the need for this specialized facility and an approach that prioritizes compassionate, effective, and timely mental health care. EmPATH ensures patients receive the right care for their unique needs in a calmer setting than a busy emergency room, while at the same time avoiding inpatient hospitalization. 

“Navigating a mental health crisis is often overwhelming for patients and families alike, especially in the high-stimulus environment of an emergency room,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, FACS, President and CEO, Inova. “By investing in EmPATH, we are responding to the needs of our patients and community by taking an innovative approach to care in a supportive setting that is more conducive to healing.” 

The new EmPATH unit, the first of its kind Northern Virginia, is based on an evidence-driven model that reduces hospitalizations, minimizes ER wait times, and enhances the overall quality and safety of mental health care. Individuals experiencing a mental health crisis will enter through an Inova Hospital ER where they will be quickly triaged to determine the appropriate level of care, whether to community resources, observation in the EmPATH unit or admission to inpatient care. Research has shown that EmPATH units can achieve a 70%-80% decrease in hospitalization rates, a 90% reduction in boarding, and a shortened length of stay from 24 to 16 hours on average. 

Key features of Inova’s EmPATH Unit: 

• A therapeutic, low-stimulus environment designed to reduce anxiety and promote healing. 
• An open, calming interior with group therapy spaces and therapeutic interventions throughout the day. 
• Reduced security presence to foster a safe, non-confining atmosphere. 
• Rapid assessment, stabilization, and discharge planning, within 48 hours. 

The EmPATH unit is part of Inova Fairfax Hospital’s broader emergency department expansion, which addresses increased demand for both mental health and emergency medical services in the region. By creating specialized areas for behavioral health emergencies, Inova is working to reserve inpatient psychiatric beds for the most acute cases, ensuring each patient receives the right care for them at the right time. 

Expanding access to adult and pediatric emergency care 

Inova’s commitment to pediatric emergency care is reflected in the redesigned, family-friendly Inova Children’s Emergency Room – the most comprehensive pediatric ER in the region – which will open next month. This specialized expansion will provide a dedicated entrance and welcoming environment tailored to young patients and their families. The remodeled space at Inova Fairfax Hospital includes a separate reception area and calming features to reduce fear and anxiety, enhancing the emergency experience for children and their caregivers. 

Inova Fairfax Hospital is also expanding the adult emergency room to better support high patient volumes, reduce wait times, and streamline care. Home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, once complete, the adult ER will nearly double patient capacity, with private rooms to support sensitive medical conditions.  

Phase One of this project, which will open to patients on Dec. 10, includes 12 additional Adult ER rooms and nine ER rooms for behavioral health patients, in addition to the EmPATH unit. When the full expansion project is completed in 2028, the adult ER will include an expanded intake area, new technology for swift check-ins to allow Inova to provide emergency care to more patients per hour and rapid access to treatment rooms. It will also include a new ambulance arrival zone. 

“The expansion of both the adult and pediatric emergency departments is essential to meet the growing needs of our community and provide the level of emergency care our patients deserve,” said Steve Narang, MD, President Inova Fairfax Hospital and Inova Children’s. “More space strengthens our ability to deliver timely, compassionate care in a state-of-the-art environment. We are proud to create an experience that supports patients and families during some of their most critical moments.” 

Philanthropy has been and will continue to be instrumental in bringing Inova’s emergency and behavioral health expansions to life, offering crucial resources that directly support Inova’s ability to meet the region’s growing healthcare needs. Inova recently launched the Do. More. Together. campaign to raise $500 million dollars by 2029. The campaign will support vital projects like the expansion of the emergency department through the Greatest Needs Fund. 

“Generous support from local donors and community partners has played a critical role in allowing us to accelerate phase one in making Inova’s emergency services and behavioral health expansion possible,” said Sage Bolte, PhD, President, Inova Health Foundation and Interim President of Behavioral Health Services. “We are grateful to our community for recognizing the importance of this project and for their ongoing commitment to building a stronger healthcare system that will enable our region to do more, together.” 

Click here to learn more about the emergency room expansion and other projects supported by the Do.More.Together.

About Inova                                                                

We are Inova, Northern Virginia and the Washington, DC, 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 provides care for more than 1 million unique patients every year. Total patient visits exceed 4 million annually, demonstrating our ability to deliver the best clinical care and ensuring a seamless experience for all who rely on us for their healthcare needs. 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 24,000 team members, our technology and our innovation. Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and– regardless of ability to pay – every day of their life. More information about Inova can be found at Inova.org.