Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s “Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus” Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions

“Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke patients by implementing the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke initiative,” said Kathie Johnson, President, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center. “The tools and resources provided help us track and measure our success in meeting evidenced-based clinical guidelines developed to improve patient outcomes.”

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center additionally received the Association’s Target: StrokeSM Elite Plus award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke. For those hospitals measuring Door-To-Device (DTD) times in at least 50% of applicable patients within 90 minutes for direct arriving and within 60 minutes for transfer qualified for the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Advanced Therapy designation.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center additionally received the Association’s Target: Type 2 Honor Roll award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed with more than 90 % of compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score.”

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center has also met specific scientific guidelines as a Primary Stroke Center or as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.

“We are pleased to recognize Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center for their commitment to stroke care,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national chairperson of the Quality Oversight Committee and Executive Vice Chair of Neurology, Director of Acute Stroke Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. “Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the Get With The Guidelines quality improvement initiative can often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.”

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

To learn more about stokes, Sentara Stroke Center locations, and living well after a stroke, please visit sentarastrokeeducation.com.

During these trying times, healthcare workers have had to adapt during this pandemic. This includes hospital chaplains like Cindy Hardy. Cindy, a board-certified chaplain, has been with Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center for nearly five years.

Traditionally, her ministry involves visiting and praying with patients and their families and sharing her healing touch, but with COVID-19 isolation and social distancing, the ministry has changed. Reverend Cindy Hardy, MDiv, shares how she’s still able to help her patients.

What would your interactions with patients look like in a typical day (before COVID)?

“I spend time with patients and families at the bedside providing spiritual care and advanced care planning. Now I am unable to go into positive COVID-19 room, I provide tele-chaplaincy for positive patients and all family members. I am still able to go to the bedside with a mask and eye protection with negative COVID patients. I also try and provide spiritual support to our staff of all faiths.

Touch is such a big part of healing- where now I have to imagine, it’s restricted. How do you help/offer comfort without it?

“Whether it be at the direct bedside or on the phone I listen to patient and family stories of life review, provide prayers, humor, request outside rituals when available, and provide comfort blankets. With the staff, I use the “PositiviTEA” Cart and Code Lavender Cart, I round on the staff and use my three associate chaplains to provide additional support.”

What sort of “creative” measures have you relied on during this time?

“Technology has been integral during this time. I’ve used FaceTime, telephone support, personal letters, and WebEx with system chaplains, just to name a few.”

What words of wisdom/healing have you been offering to patients, MOTs, and families?

“One day at a time. I daily pray for our MOTS safety and strength. Sometimes it is not what you say it is being there. Offering prayers in real time. I provide motivational quotes to encourage true feelings and self-care.”

Cindy spearheads the Chaplin’s Closet, which accepts new clothes for patients who can’t wear their original items once discharged from the hospital. If you’d like to donate, Cindy is currently accepting new men’s and women’s items of all sizes, including pants, shorts, underwear including bras, flip flops, crocs, and slippers.

For more information or to arrange a donation drop off, please contact 703-523-0680.

Sentara Healthcare is a not-for-profit healthcare organization committed to serving the patient and becoming the healthcare provider of choice in the communities we serve.

Sentara is now offering services to help people with diabetes meet support groups and management programs to help improve their health.

Sentara Diabetes & Nutrition Management Services at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center has achieved the significant milestone of accreditation by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES).

Accreditation represents a high level of quality and service to the community, and the ability to better meet the needs of Medicare recipients and others affected by diabetes in the Greater Prince William County, Stafford County, and southern Fairfax County area.

“We are proud of our designation and our continued commitment to improving the lives of individuals with Diabetes and providing support to patients and their families. We offer a friendly environment based on open dialogue to personalize and help improve health through prevention, wellness and education. Services are offered in person and via telehealth.” – Robyn Johanson, Program Quality Coordinator.

Sentara Diabetes & Nutrition Management Services, located on the campus of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, will be offering diabetes education and nutrition management sessions and support groups in person and by telehealth.

Diabetes education services utilize a collaborative process through which people with or at risk for diabetes work with a diabetes educator to receive individualized care to help them reach their health goals.

Diabetes education is a covered Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurances when delivered through an accredited program.

“Evidence shows diabetes education and support is helping people with diabetes to lower their A1c’s and obtain the knowledge and skills to better self-manage their condition,” said Sacha Uelmen, Director of Accreditation at ADCES. “That is why we need programs like Sentara Diabetes & Nutrition Management Services to make these services available in their community.”

ADCES is a National Accredited Organization (NAO) for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Accredited programs must meet the 2017 National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support; 10 standards that are revised every 5 years by a group of diabetes educators representing both ADCES and the American Diabetes Association and approved by CMS.

Programs must maintain compliance with the Standards during the 4-year accreditation cycle. To join our Diabetes Support Group or schedule your Diabetes Management and/or Nutrition Management appointment, please call 703-523-0590 or visit sentara.com/diabetes to learn more.

Meet Behnam Goudarzi, MD, FCCP. He’s a Board Certified in Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Internal Medicine and Sleep Medicine. Dr. Goudarzi is the President of the Medical Staff at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center. 

What are your thoughts as a physician working during a pandemic?

During this devastating pandemic, as a physician, I’d like to urge everyone to stand as one and follow strict social distancing and healthy hygiene guidelines. We have all seen what happens otherwise. This virus spreads fast.  

We are in an evolving scenario. Now is the time for mitigation. Every person’s concern should be to try to decrease the number of people that are affected in a short period of time. This way, we can get more and more prepared in terms of PPEs, testing, treatment and vaccination. 

What are your concerns as a pulmonologist?

Patients with certain chronic diseases are at higher risk, despite their age. The hallmark of this disease is respiratory failure due to lung inflammation, a type of pneumonia. Chronic respiratory illnesses put patients at a disadvantage. Patients, who suffer from respiratory illnesses should be extra careful to avoid contracting the virus.  

Though it’s still early, what are the potentially-lasting effects of COVID-19 on both patients with and without existing lung conditions?

Currently, there is no evidence that this kind of pneumonia has any different long term effects than other types of pneumonia. In general, every time somebody catches pneumonia, varying degrees of scars can develop in the lungs. There are no proven curing treatments at this time, though certain long-existing medications have shown some promising effects. 

What do you want patients and the community to know about COVID-19?

Information and knowledge about COVID-19 are increasing by the moment. Recent research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, says the “maximum transmission distance of SARS-CoV-2 aerosol” could be up to 13 feet. Coronavirus does not walk or fly. It is spread by humans, so let’s defeat it by not spreading it. 

To learn more about COVID-19, visit sentaraupdates.com.

Meet Behnam Goudarzi, MD, FCCP. He’s a Board Certified in Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Sleep Medicine. Dr. Goudarzi is the President of the Medical Staff at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center. 

-What are your thoughts as a physician working during a pandemic?

During this devastating pandemic, as a physician, I’d like to urge everyone to stand as one and follow strict social distancing and healthy hygiene guidelines. We have all seen what happens otherwise. This virus spreads fast. 

We are in an evolving scenario. Now is the time for mitigation. Every person’s concern should be to try to decrease the number of people that are affected in a short period of time. This way, we can get more and more prepared in terms of PPEs, testing, treatment, and vaccination. 

-What are your concerns as a pulmonologist?

Patients with certain chronic diseases are at higher risk, despite their age. The hallmark of this disease is respiratory failure due to lung inflammation, a type of pneumonia. Chronic respiratory illnesses put patients at a disadvantage. Patients, who suffer from respiratory illnesses should be extra careful to avoid contracting the virus.  

– Though it’s still early, what are the potentially lasting effects of COVID-19 on both patients with and without existing lung conditions?

Currently, there is no evidence that this kind of pneumonia has any different long term effects than other types of pneumonia. In general, every time somebody catches pneumonia, varying degrees of scars can develop in lungs. There are no proven curing treatments at this time, though certain long-existing medications have shown some promising effects. 

-What do you want patients and the community to know about COVID-19?

Information and knowledge about COVID-19 is increasing by the moment. Recent research from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, says the “maximum transmission distance of SARS-CoV-2 aerosol” could be up to 13 feet. Coronavirus does not walk or fly. It is spread by humans, so let’s defeat it by not spreading it. 

To learn more about COVID-19, visit: sentaraupdates.comsentaraupdates.com.

This post is sponsored by Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center.

Having a baby can be an exciting and overwhelming time. With so much to learn, new techniques to acquire and knowledge to digest, it might feel like you’ll never be ready.

That’s why the Women’s Health Center at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is hosting a community baby shower.

On Saturday, April 4, 2020, from 1 – 3 p.m., the Hylton Education Center on Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center’s campus will open its doors for this special event full of food, fun, and education. Parking is free.

Registrants will have a chance to enjoy a celebration of their upcoming birth, take part in baby shower games, receive a tour of the Labor and Delivery unit, and learn important information on topics such as safe sleep, LARC, postpartum depression, nutrition, breastfeeding, and more. Parents-to-be can also register in a raffle to win a new stroller.

“This is something that every new, and not so new parent should attend,” explains Women’s Health Center Director Beverly Wainman, “Childcare methods have evolved over the years. This is an opportunity for parents to learn something new- whether it’s honing fresh techniques or brushing up on skills they had forgotten. This event empowers parents.”

Parents will also get to take part in a Question & Answer session with Ashraf Afifi, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Neonatology; Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, GW University; Children’s National Medical Center.

Space is limited and you must preregister. Tickets are just $5. Visit WHC2020BabyShower.eventbrite.com or call 1-800-SENTARA to reserve your spot today.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is a 183-bed, not-for-profit community hospital serving Prince William County and its surrounding communities.

Our medical center combines the resources of a major health system with the compassionate, personalized care of a community hospital. SNVMC offers quiet, private rooms and high-quality care focused on safety and patient satisfaction. We offer a wide range of medical specialties, highly qualified medical and clinical staff and state-of-the-art technology.

Our clinical services include advanced imaging, cancer services, diabetes management, emergency care, heart, and vascular care, lab services, neurosurgery, primary care, orthopedics, urology, weight loss surgery, women’s services and more.

On Friday, February 28, guests gathered at the Old Hickory Golf Club in Woodbridge to enjoy an afternoon of information, food, and fun.

To commemorate the occasion, the crowd dressed in red in support of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Campaign.

This year’s keynote speaker was Monique Acosta House. Monique knows how true the statistics are, at 22, she was diagnosed with heart failure. In July 2017, she received a heart transplant.

Monique’s advice is simple. “Treat your body like your best friend. I treat my heart like my best friend. I do everything my physician tells me to do. I know my numbers – my cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose and BMI. Having a new heart has changed my life. It has changed my perspective. How could it not?”

In addition to Monique’s inspiring story, guests took part in a physician question and answer panel which not only answered questions but educated the audience on heart health and the preventive measures they can take now which will make a difference in the future.

“We’re so happy to host this event for our community,” said Kathie Johnson, President, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center. “Not only is it informative, it’s interesting and it could save lives.”

Mrs. Johnson served as the event’s emcee and presented the American Heart Association with a check for $1,560.

Cardiologists reminded the group it’s important to take charge of their lives and their heart health. While we don’t have control over some factors like heredity, race, and sex – we do have control over our diet, activity level and deciding whether we smoke or drink. Making healthy changes into a habit can make all the difference in the world.

Healthy habits include:
• Be active
• Control cholesterol
• Eat better
• Manage blood pressure
• Maintain a healthy weight/BMI
• Reduce blood sugar
• Stop smoking

According to the American Heart Association, women should know the symptoms of a heart attack, which include:

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
• As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. Women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

A simple test may predict heart disease before symptoms start. Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring is a non-invasive CT scan of the heart. It is recommended for people who currently do not have any symptoms, but have a moderate probability of having Coronary Artery Disease.

• Recommended for men older than 40, women older than 50, people who are overweight, diabetic; or have a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.
• The exam takes 10-15 minutes. No preparation is required.
• Ask your primary care physician if this test is right for you. Insurance plans may not cover this screening. Once you have a physician referral, call 703-523-1560 to find out the cost and schedule your Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring test.

Visit Sentara’s 28daysofheart.com to learn more about risk factors, healthy tips, and recipes. Discover your heart’s age, the answer might surprise you!

It’s February and love is in the air! It’s also the perfect time to love your heart health, as it’s American Heart Month.

Heart Disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Its effects are something Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center Cardiologist Shahryar Mafi MD, FACC sees all too often. Cardiovascular disease is his specialty.

“People don’t realize, but there are things they can do to prevent many of these episodes from occurring,” explains Dr. Mafi, “The primary prevention involves diet and exercise. If applicable- weight loss and smoking cessation.”

According to the American Heart Association, the estimated annual incidences of heart attacks in the U.S. is 605,000 new attacks and 200,000 recurrent attacks. That means every 40 seconds; someone will have a heart attack.

Staying on top of your screenings and testing are imperative for good health, “Screening for cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension are very important factors to reduce future cardiovascular events,” says Dr. Mafi.

Recent research has shown a direct relationship between the amount of calcium in the coronary arteries and the likelihood of a future heart attack.

“Unfortunately, there is no universally accepted yearly testing or imaging for identifying cardiovascular disease. Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring and Carotid Artery Ultrasound are recommended in certain populations,” explains Dr. Mafi.

Determine your heart attack risk; get your Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring exam (CAC). Contact your primary care provider or cardiologist for a referral, and then call 703-523-1560 to schedule your appointment.

On Monday, January 13, 2020, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) in partnership with Smart Beginnings Greater Prince William (SBGPW) launched the Books4Babies program at the Women’s Health Center at SNVMC.

Every SNVMC newborn will leave the hospital with a children’s book, a developmental milestone guide, and resources. Books and resource material are offered in both English and Spanish.

The resources include suggested books for parents to read to their children and a flyer from the Prince William Public Library System promoting the “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says, “Reading regularly with young children stimulates optimal patterns of brain development and strengthens parent-child relationships at a critical time in child development, which, in turn, builds language, literacy, and social-emotional skills that last a lifetime.”

Prior to the babies leaving the hospital, SNVMC trained volunteers will educate families about the importance of reading aloud beginning in infancy. Most volunteers have comprehensive experience in teaching and working with young families.

The Books4Babies program launch at SNVMC is spearheaded by Linda Trexler, SNVMC Books4Babies program lead, together with Pam Emert, who has more than four years of experience with the Books4Babies program. Currently, the program at SNVMC is comprised of six  SNVMC auxiliary volunteers. It is our goal, together with other county sponsors, that every baby born in Prince William County will receive a book and his/her parents will receive information about the benefits of reading to their child, beginning at birth.

The launch of Books4Babies at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center has been made possible through generous donations from the SNVMC Medical Staff, the Lake Ridge Rotary, and SNVMC Auxiliary as well as numerous community donations.

As part of a statewide network of Smart Beginnings, SBGPW serves with assistance and guidance from Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF). This approach allows local efforts to be individualized while working in harmony with other communities to achieve results throughout Virginia. SPARK serves as the fiscal agent.

To contribute to the Books4Babies program at SNVMC, Contributions can be made to the Prince William County Schools (PWCS) Education Foundation (SPARK)

• Online/credit card Visit SPARK Website at www.poweredbyspark.org, to CONTRIBUTE, use “Add special instructions to the seller” to designate your contribution to B4B – Sentara

• By check, please note in MEMO: Books4Babies – Sentara SPARK, the Education Foundation for PWCS P.O. Box 389 Manassas, VA 20108
SPARK is the operating name of the Prince William County Public Schools Education Foundation (FE ID# 54-1498824), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is a 183-bed, not-for-profit community hospital serving Prince William County and its surrounding communities. Our medical center combines the resources of a major health system with the compassionate, personalized care of a community hospital. SNVMC offer s quiet, private rooms and high-quality care focused on safety and patient satisfaction. We offer a wide range of medical specialties, a highly qualified medical and clinical staff, and state-of-the-art technology. Our clinical services include advanced imaging, cancer services, diabetes management, emergency care, heart, and vascular care, lab services, neurosurgery, primary care, orthopedics, urology, weight loss surgery, women’s services and more.

Smart Beginnings Greater Prince William Smart Beginnings Greater Prince William (SBGPW) is a public-private partnership aimed at increasing kindergarten readiness in the cities of Manassas, Manassas Park, and Prince William County, Virginia. Our leadership represents members of the business, education, health, and social services sectors, working together to deliver efficiencies to bring greater opportunity to our area’s most vulnerable – our children, ages 0-5. For further information, please contact Tawnya Soltis, Executive Director, at [email protected] or visit www.smartbeginningsgpw.org.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is pleased to announce the recent acquisition of the da Vinci Xi Surgical System.

The da Vinci Xi System was designed with the goal of further advancing the technology used in minimally invasive surgery.

• The System can be used across a spectrum of minimally invasive surgical procedures and has been optimized for multi-quadrant surgeries in the areas of gynecology, urology, thoracic, cardiac and general surgery.

By enabling efficient access throughout the abdomen or chest, the da Vinci Xi System expands upon core da Vinci System features, including wristed instruments, 3D-HD visualization, intuitive motion, and an ergonomic design.

• As with all da Vinci Surgical Systems, the surgeon is 100% in control of the robotic-assisted da Vinci System, which translates his/her hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside the patient’s body. The Xi System’s immersive 3D-HD vision system provides surgeons a highly magnified view, virtually extending their eyes and hands into the patient.

Key Features Include:

• A new overhead instrument arm architecture designed to facilitate anatomical access from virtually any position.
• A new endoscope digital architecture that creates a simpler, more compact design with improved vision definition and clarity.
• An ability to attach the endoscope to any arm, providing flexibility for visualizing the surgical site.
• Smaller, thinner arms with newly designed joints that offer a greater range of motion than ever before.
• Longer instrument shafts designed to give surgeons greater operative reach.

The da Vinci Xi System is an expandable technology platform that is designed to accommodate and seamlessly integrate a range of current technologies, as well as future innovations, in areas such as imaging, advanced instruments, and anatomical access.

• We are truly thrilled to be a leader in this field and look forward to continue bringing Woodbridge and Northern Virginia minimally invasive surgical options.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is an accredited Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery and Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology.

• The Sentara Weight Loss Surgery Center is a designated accredited Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

For more information on minimally invasive surgical options at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, contact us at 1-800-SENTARA or visit sentara.com/surgery.