Inova Fairfax Hospital named Level IV maternal care verified facility from The Joint Commission

Falls Church, VA, December 17, 2024 – The Joint Commission’s Maternal Levels of Care (MLC) Verification program, offered in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), has named Inova Fairfax Hospitalas a Level IV maternal care verified facility. 

As a Level IV facility, Inova Fairfax Hospital has demonstrated it can care for the most complex maternal conditions and critically ill pregnant women and fetuses throughout antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum care.

Inova Fairfax Hospital underwent a comprehensive on-site review on October 8 and 9, 2024 to verify the level of care provided. During the on-site verification visit, Inova Fairfax Hospital’s capabilities related to maternity care were evaluated. Additionally, compliance with Inova Fairfax Hospital policies were reviewed.

“We are incredibly proud to have The Joint Commission verify Inova Fairfax for the highest level of maternal care, said Scott Sullivan, MD, Chief of Maternal-fetal Medicine, Inova. “This esteemed recognition highlights our commitment to providing the safest, most advanced care for expectant mothers, ensuring that every woman receives the highest standard of care throughout her pregnancy, labor, and delivery. It is a testament to our ongoing dedication to excellence, safety, and compassionate care.”

The MLC Verification program provides an objective assessment of a facility’s capabilities and verifies that a hospital has the expertise, equipment and resources in place for a patient’s specific needs and risk level. When complications arise, verification also confirms hospitals have agreements in place so the mother can be transferred to a higher-level facility with the appropriate level of care.

“Achieving Level 4 verification from The Joint Commission is a testament to Inova’s unwavering commitment to providing the highest standard of care for pregnant women and their families,” said Antonio Saad, MD, Director of Perinatal Research and Maternal-fetal Medicine Surgical Critical Care Specialist at Inova. “This designation recognizes our ability to manage the most complex and critical maternal conditions with expertise, compassion, and innovation. It is a reflection of the dedication and collaboration of our entire team, and we are proud to set a new benchmark for maternal care in Virginia and beyond.”

Larry Maxwell, MD, President of Inova Women’s Services explains, “The Women’s Service Line has been intentional about recruiting nationally acclaimed quaternary subspecialty trained maternal-fetal medicine physicians to provide expertise in managing complex obstetrical conditions, especially with increasing rates of maternal morbidity and mortality both regionally and nationally. This has included development of multiple teams focused on women’s cardiology, perinatal critical care, and women’s behavioral health to optimize clinical outcomes for our new mothers and newborns.  In addition, we have enhanced our simulation programs and teams training for emergency preparedness in maximizing quality and safety for our pregnant patients at each of our hospitals. Finally, we have focused on optimizing patient access, strengthening partnerships with area hospitals to elevate maternal care through education, training and support. These efforts, critical to achieving and maintaining Level 4 Maternal Care status, will be led by the incoming transfer nurse navigator/educator.”

“The Joint Commission commends Inova Fairfax Hospital for being named a Level IV maternal care verified facility and for its efforts to standardize maternal care and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “The Maternal Levels of Care Verification program will help Inova Fairfax Hospital strengthen regionalized care for mothers and babies in its community.”

The MLC Verification program was developed using ACOG’s Levels of Maternal Care Obstetric Care Consensus (OCC) clinical guidance, which includes comprehensive uniform definitions, a standardized description of maternity facility capabilities and personnel, and a framework for integrated systems that address maternal health needs. To learn more, visit The Joint Commission website.

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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.