Patient First is offering free safety blinkers at its medical centers to enhance visibility during trick-or-treating. Additionally, from October 27 to November 1, it will provide free digital X-ray imaging of Halloween candy, allowing parents to check for foreign objects.

Press Release:

Halloween is a time of fun and harmless frights, but parents shouldn’t have to worry about their children’s safety while trick-or-treating. To help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, Patient First is offering some important reminders, and a special service this Halloween season.

Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treating:

• Know the route that your children will take if you do not go with them.
• Younger children should go with adults. There should be at least one adult for every four children.
• If possible, give your children a cell phone and check in with them during the evening.
• Set a time for everyone to be home.
• Make sure no one eats any treats until they have been inspected by an adult.
• Wear bright clothing or reflective gear.

To keep your kids safe after dark, Patient First is offering free safety blinkers at each of our medical centers during the month of October (one per person, while supplies last). These blinking lights can be attached to Halloween costumes to improve visibility. Blinkers are available at the front desk of any Patient First location—no registration or medical care is required.

As an added precaution, Patient First will offer free digital X-ray imaging of Halloween candy. This fun service allows trick-or-treaters, to see what is inside their treats, like peanuts or other surprises. It also makes visiting the doctor’s office a positive experience, which can help reduce anxiety for future visits when they are sick or hurt.

X-ray imaging can also provide parents additional peace of mind about the treats their children receive by possibly detecting objects like metal, or other solid substances.* Parents still need to provide supervision since some foreign materials may not appear in X-rays.

Bring your bag of candy into any Patient First Neighborhood Medical Center from October 27th through November 1st between 6pm and 8pm for a free X-ray screening.

Potomac River Orthodontics, just off Hoadly Road in Woodbridge, is partnering with the nonprofit Smiles Change Lives to offer affordable orthodontic care to local children.

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Mary Washington Hospital has successfully treated its first patient using the Impella RP Flex, a heart pump that temporarily supports patients in cardiogenic shock due to acute right heart failure. This technology allows blood to be drawn from the heart and propelled forward, facilitating recovery or further treatment options.

Press Release:

Mary Washington Hospital interventional cardiologists have successfully treated their first patient using the Impella RP Flex with SmartAssist, one of the world’s smallest heart pumps. This groundbreaking technology provides temporary right heart mechanical circulatory support, offering more comprehensive and advanced care options to patients in the Fredericksburg region suffering from cardiogenic shock due to acute right heart failure.

The Impella RP Flex allows blood to be directly drawn out of the heart’s pumping chambers and propelled forward, giving the heart a chance to rest and bridging the patient to recovery or more definitive therapies. This latest iteration of the Impella RP heart pump received PMA from the U.S. FDA in October 2022 as a safe and effective treatment for cardiogenic shock caused by acute right heart failure. The Impella RP Flex is implanted percutaneously through multiple venous sites and features dual-sensor technology designed to optimize patient management.”Mary Washington Hospital’s cardiac care team continues to expand and evolve to meet the needs of our community’s cardiovascular patients,” said Dr. Ashok Prasad, MD, FACC, Interventional Cardiologist at Mary Washington Cardiology in affiliation with Oracle Heart & Vascular. “Our health system’s ongoing investment in innovative tools and treatments like the Impella RP Flex allows us to provide the highest quality care close to home.”

Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) is at the forefront of advanced technologies for heart and vascular care, offering state-of-the-art facilities equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic tools and innovative treatments. The healthcare system provides a range of minimally invasive cardiac procedures and is committed to delivering top-tier, comprehensive care for individuals facing heart issues. MWHC’s team of highly skilled specialists collaboratively determine the most effective treatment options for each patient. In addition to exceptional medical care, MWHC prioritizes patient education, empowering individuals with vital knowledge on heart disease management and prevention. For more information, please visit heart.mwhc.com.

 

The Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) has announced a new partnership with Altruix Pharmacy to improve access to medication for individuals with behavioral health concerns and developmental disabilities. The collaboration aims to overcome barriers that prevent individuals from taking their prescribed medications, such as transportation, time, and cost.

Joe Wickens, executive director of RACSB, highlighted the importance of this partnership: “The individuals we serve have unique needs. Altruix focuses on behavioral healthcare and developmental disability services, giving them valuable expertise. The pharmacy team will provide tailored care to the people we serve and offer a valuable resource to our employees.”

Meeting the Community’s Needs

This partnership is part of RACSB’s larger goal to integrate whole-person health care for the community. Altruix will operate a hybrid pharmacy model at RACSB’s Fredericksburg Clinic, offering on-site services supported by a distribution hub. This setup allows the pharmacy to provide medication packaging and monthly cycle fills, improving both quality control and patient convenience.

“We’re excited to be part of this meaningful step forward,” said Greg Ganse, CEO of Altruix Pharmacy. “By partnering with RACSB, we can bring our expertise in behavioral health and developmental disabilities directly to the people who need it most.”

Brandie Williams, RACSB’s executive director of community support, emphasized the critical need for the partnership, citing alarming statistics that show men and women with mental disorders have life expectancies that are 10 and 7 years shorter, respectively, than those without. “By providing comprehensive care management and leveraging Altruix’s patented Medherent technology, we aim to improve medication adherence, a key factor in supporting better health outcomes,” said Williams.

Overcoming Barriers to Medication Access

For many residents, accessing medication can be a challenge due to financial constraints, time, and transportation issues. Altruix’s on-site presence at the Fredericksburg Clinic and its delivery service will help mitigate these barriers. The pharmacy is located on a public transportation route and can coordinate with patients’ appointments. For those unable to visit the clinic, medications can be delivered directly to their homes.

Additionally, Altruix’s financial assistance program works closely with individuals and RACSB staff to reduce the cost of medications, ensuring affordability for all.

Pharmacy Grand Opening on October 22

The partnership will be celebrated with a grand opening event on October 22 at 3:00 p.m. at RACSB’s Fredericksburg Clinic. The event will highlight the positive impact the collaboration is expected to have on the community, including improved access to medications and specialized care for behavioral health and developmental disability patients.

For more information about RACSB and Altruix Pharmacy, visit their respective websites at rappahannockareacsb.org and altruix.com.

Sentara Health has announced a technology rollout to enhance clinician-patient interactions across its network. All 12 hospitals, including Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) in Woodbridge, have nearly 6,000 specialized smartphones designed to improve workflow and patient safety.

These devices are engineered to consolidate multiple tools—walkie-talkies, basic phones, pagers, and computer carts—into one device, allowing clinicians to focus more on patient care and less on juggling equipment.

Christy Grabus, SNVMC’s chief nursing officer, emphasized the positive impact of this integration. “This phone improves workflow and patient safety,” Grabus said in a press release. “All of this helps us prioritize and spend more time at the bedside with our patients.”

The smartphones are expected to speed up emergency admissions, shorten hospital stays, and hasten nurse response times. Furthermore, the phones aim to decrease ambient noise from alarms and bells, reduce staff movement within the hospital, and enhance the turnaround time for radiology scans.

On Friday, August 30, 2024, the parking lot of Winners Church at 17877 Old Triangle Road transformed into a bustling center of health and wellness. Community members gathered for a comprehensive health fair aimed at providing crucial medical screenings and education to the uninsured and underinsured.

The event, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., was a partnership between Winners Church and Sentara Healthcare, marking a new collaborative effort to enhance community health services. This year’s fair featured a vital addition—a mobile mammogram van from Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center offering free cancer screenings.

Kolawole Fagbenro, an associate pastor at Winners Church, explained the motivation behind the event: “We focus a lot on the community. Today, we’re doing blood pressure and cholesterol checks. We’ve partnered with Sentara; they have a mammogram van here for people without insurance, which is vital as mammograms are expensive.”

This was the first time Sentara participated, bringing not only the mammogram services but also connecting attendees with further medical support. “This is the first time we have mammograms involved, which is crucial as they are expensive, especially if you don’t have insurance,” Fagbenro added.

Winners Church, known for its diversity and holistic approach to spirituality and health, sees this fair as an extension of its mission. Fagbenro emphasized the church’s role: “We take a holistic approach to the gospel, considering both the physical and spiritual health of our congregation. This health fair is one way we can use our community of nurses and doctors to give back.”

Heather Byrne, a representative from Sentara, highlighted the importance of such events for cancer prevention and early detection. “Sentara is helping to sponsor this health fair to get wellness checks, cancer prevention, screenings, and education out to those who are uninsured or underinsured in our community,” Byrne said. She also noted the advancements in cancer treatment, underscoring the importance of early detection through screenings.

The fair addressed not just the lack of insurance but also a gap in health literacy. Byrne shared insights into the local challenges: “Many don’t know about the screenings available or can’t access them. This includes crucial tests like mammograms and colonoscopies.”

Dumfries resident Mary Stephens, who attended for a mammogram, expressed her gratitude: “It’s not something I can do perfectly on my own, so these services are crucial for my safety.”

The health fair provided essential services and strengthened the community’s bonds, offering a space where residents could come together to support one another’s health and well-being.

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In a significant expansion of its healthcare services, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is set to open a state-of-the-art Cardiovascular Ambulatory Surgery Center, slated to begin operations in December 2024.

This center will be the first in Virginia and will focus on outpatient cardiac procedures. This move reflects the shifting trends toward ambulatory (outpatient) care settings in the medical field.

Enhancing Cardiac Care with Advanced Facilities

According to Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center President Jeff Joyner, the decision to establish the Cardiovascular Ambulatory Surgery Center stems from a growing need for specialized outpatient cardiac services in the region. Once fully operational, the center will partner with local cardiologists and is designed to serve 800 to 1,600 patients annually. The initiative aims to provide top-notch cardiac care and ensures that treatments are more affordable and accessible to the community.

The new center will be four miles from the main campus of the Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, located at 2300 Opitz Boulevard in Woodbridge. This proximity is expected to significantly ease patients’ access, reducing the need for travel and thereby minimizing the stress associated with receiving medical care.

New Residency Program to Address Healthcare Workforce Shortages

This development is part of Sentara’s broader strategy to address the healthcare needs of Northern Virginia, a region that presents unique demographic and medical challenges. The center is one aspect of Sentara’s $350 million investment over the next decade, including initiatives like creating a medical residency program to retain local medical talent, which will begin in 2026.

“Virginia is a net exporter of medical talent,” Joyner explained. “We lose many bright students to other states because they lack opportunities here. Our goal is to provide them a pathway to return and serve the very community they grew up in.”

The new program addresses specific gaps in hospitalist medicine, emergency medicine, and general surgery—which are notably underserved in Northern Virginia.

The residency program’s establishment aligns with Sentara’s ongoing efforts to enhance local healthcare services. This includes a recent $1 million upgrade to the emergency department at the Woodbridge facility, which aims to increase trauma care capacity and ensure patient safety with advanced security systems.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) has been awarded the prestigious Magnet certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, an honor distinguishing it among the top tier of hospitals nationwide.

During a recent interview with Potomac Local News, Jeff Joyner, President of SNVMC, and Christy Grabus, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, they discussed the significance of this recognition. “Magnet certification is not an easy designation to obtain. It involves a rigorous, multi-year process emphasizing a commitment to nursing excellence and the highest quality of care,” explained Grabus.

The certification process typically spans about five years for first-time applicants and includes extensive data submissions and a comprehensive site visit. “It sets the stage to ensure that nurses have a voice in decision-making at the point of care,” Grabus added, highlighting the hospital’s democratic approach to staff involvement through multiple councils and teams.

Joyner emphasized the direct benefits to the community, stating, “Achieving Magnet status is not only about internal recognition but also impacts how we recruit top talent and improve patient care.” He noted that Magnet facilities attract professionals who are looking for a supportive and innovative working environment.

The hospital’s efforts to achieve this status were driven by a desire to enhance care quality and nurse satisfaction. “Our nursing team is integral, standing side by side with our patients every day, making their voices pivotal in our operations and community outreach,” Joyner said.

SNVMC’s Magnet recognition places it among the less than 10% of hospitals in the United States to hold this credential, underscoring its commitment to superior care and professional nursing practice. As part of the Sentara Healthcare system, which includes 10 hospitals with Magnet status, SNVMC continues to lead in setting standards for patient care and nursing excellence across the region.

The hospital has implemented a robust shared governance structure that includes the formation of six distinct councils, which have evolved from an initial two. These councils, along with several specialized teams, play a pivotal role in shaping patient care strategies and operational policies. “These councils and teams allow for a flow of ideas and ensure that everyone’s voice can be heard, from the ground level to system-wide initiatives,” Grabus stated.