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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.

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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.

The Sentara Century Building at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center in Woodbridge is closed today due to a gas leak affecting all medical appointments at this location. There are plans to update the reopening status later this afternoon.

The Sentara Century Building houses several specialty medical offices, including the Sentara Advanced Imaging Center Century, Sentara Cancer Network Resource Center, Sentara Internal Medicine Physicians, Sentara Surgery Specialists, and the Sentara Therapy Center Century. These facilities provide a range of services, from advanced imaging and cancer resources to internal medicine, surgical specialties, and therapeutic treatments, catering to the diverse medical needs of the community.

Press release:

The Sentara Century Building, located on the campus of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center at 2280 Opitz Blvd. is closed today, due to a gas leak detected outside of the building. Washington Gas is currently onsite addressing the situation. There are no reported injuries to patients or medical personnel. However, all offices in the Sentara Century Building are closed for the day.

The closure affects patients who had scheduled appointments with the Sentara Imaging Center, Sentara Therapy Center, and Sentara Medical Group at the Century Building location. Patients will be contacted by staff to reschedule. People with appointments at the other medical practices located in the Century Building should expect to hear from their provider with information on rescheduling those appointments.

A notice on the status of the building’s operation for Tuesday, August 20, will be released later in the afternoon.

Visitors entering the main parking lot should proceed to the entrance near the Surgical Services Center to access the parking lot as the main entrance by Opitz Blvd. and Potomac Center Blvd., is closed for the day.

The Prince William Health District (PWHD) has shared the results of a 10-month community-based needs assessment aimed at evaluating factors contributing to opioid-use disorder (OUD) in the Greater Prince William region. Conducted as part of the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) Community Engagement grant, the assessment provides critical insights into the opioid crisis and offers recommendations for targeted interventions.

The assessment, conducted from September 2023 to June 2024, engaged various community members, including the Latino community, adolescents, individuals currently using drugs, and those in recovery. The assessment identified significant service gaps through interviews and listening sessions and highlighted the need for cross-system collaboration to address the crisis.

“By working across systems of care to understand the burden of addiction in our communities, we can begin to address disparities surrounding opioid-use disorder in the Greater Prince William region,” said Acting Prince William Health District Director Olugbenga Obasanjo, MD.

Key findings from the assessment include a rise in nonfatal opioid-related overdoses, which have more than doubled since 2017. Overdoses are increasing, particularly among the 20-24 age group, adolescent females, and Black and Latino adults. Between 2018 and 2023, the region recorded 454 OUD deaths.

The assessment also revealed three primary needs:

1. Addressing stigma, which inhibits access to care and communication with resources.
2. Establishing peer recovery specialist services to enhance knowledge and access to current systems.
3. Recognizing the connection between OUD and mental health challenges, requiring a multifaceted approach.

In response to these findings, PWHD plans to implement an action plan over the next two years. The plan focuses on building public understanding of opioids, ensuring equitable access to care, improving communication across sectors, and training different systems to work more effectively together. PWHD will also continuously monitor data to adjust strategies as needed.

PWHD Community Engagement Specialist Kirstin Hope Sievers emphasized that the action plan will be tailored to address specific needs, such as the growing number of nonfatal overdoses among young adults and adolescent females. “We will bring our findings back into the communities and partnering organizations who gave us key insights into the overall ecosystem of opioid use disorder,” Sievers said. She highlighted upcoming community events like International Overdose Awareness Day and the “Recovery Rocks” celebration as opportunities to share the assessment’s findings.

PWHD has also awarded funding to organizations working with at-risk populations, such as the Chris Atwood Foundation, which focuses on harm reduction, and the National Alliance for Mental Illness Prince William, which supports co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

A key component of the plan is the expansion of peer recovery specialist services, a need identified in the assessment. PWHD will support partners like George Mason University’s Empowered Communities Opioid Project (ECOP), which provides internships that combine classroom learning and hands-on experience to prepare peers for recovery support roles.

Addressing stigma is another major focus. The assessment identified stigma as a barrier to treatment and recovery, particularly within marginalized communities. PWHD plans to combat stigma by educating the public about addiction as a health issue rather than a moral failing, advocating for policy changes, and increasing infrastructure like peer recovery services.

PWHD will also engage in cross-system training to improve collaboration among different sectors. “These conversations are happening among key stakeholders to identify gaps in knowledge around substance use disorders and available resources,” Sievers said. Training will begin in the fall of 2024, focusing on reducing stigma and improving addiction education.

Monitoring and evaluation will be ongoing, with quarterly updates on fatal and nonfatal overdoses, Narcan distribution, and other metrics. PWHD plans to re-evaluate the region’s opioid response every three years, with feedback from community partners and residents playing a crucial role in shaping future strategies.

For more information or to discuss partnerships to strengthen the community’s response to the opioid crisis, residents are encouraged to contact Kirstin Sievers, PWHD Community Engagement Specialist, at [email protected].

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) has earned its first-ever Magnet with Distinction recognition, the highest national honor for nursing excellence, as of August 12, 2024. This prestigious designation places SNVMC among a select group of hospitals worldwide, celebrating their superior quality in nursing care and commitment to patient excellence.

Press release:

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) is proud to announce that it has earned Magnet with Distinction® recognition on August 12, 2024 as a reflection of its nursing professionalism, teamwork, and superiority in patient care. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program® is the highest national honor for nursing excellence and identifies superior quality in nursing care.

This is SNVMC’s first ever Magnet designation and an honor for the organization to receive Magnet with Distinction, a special designation that celebrates hospitals and health care organizations that exceed the scoring thresholds required to attain Magnet recognition.

With this credential, SNVMC joins the global community of Magnet with Distinction recognized organizations. Just a small and select group of health care organizations have achieved Magnet with Distinction recognition.

As of July 2024, only 9.6 percent of hospital in the U.S. have achieved Magnet recognition. Within this prestigious group of hospitals, Magnet with Distinction recognizes the highest-performing Magnet organizations around the world.

SNVMC is the tenth hospital in the Sentara system to achieve Magnet designation and the first to earn Magnet with Distinction.

To patients, Magnet means the very best care, delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best that they can be. More than an award or a badge of honor, Magnet recognition is steadfast proof of a hard-earned commitment to excellence in health care, with contented nurses at its heart.

Winners Church is partnering with Sentara to host the annual Community Health Fair on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 17877 Old Triangle Road in Dumfries. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with various health services and screenings available to the community.

A significant feature of this year’s fair is the presence of Sentara’s Mobile Mammography Unit, offering 3D breast cancer screenings from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The screenings are aimed at the African diaspora, African American community, and those who may face financial barriers to accessing this service. The event will also focus on raising awareness about breast cancer and other prevalent health issues.

In addition to the mammography services, attendees can access blood pressure checks, diabetes screenings, and cholesterol testing. Local health organizations and clinics will provide information on mental health resources, nutrition, and fitness. The fair aims to offer comprehensive health services and education to the local community.

Heather S. Byrne, a Breast Cancer Patient Navigator at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, will be the keynote speaker. She will address breast cancer awareness and the importance of regular screenings.

Winners Church tracks participation rates and follows up with attendees to assess the event’s impact on community health outcomes. Last year, the event led to an increase in early detection of health issues and a rise in health awareness. This year, the goal is to increase participation by 20% and extend outreach to underserved populations.

Winners Church located in Dumfries was founded December 12, 2010, under the pastoral guidance and leadership of the senior Pastor Henry Godwin. Then, it was known as the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Winners House, VA.

North Anna Branch (advisory extended)

• Upper North Anna Branch - From the upper inundated waters of the North Anna arm, to include the “Sandbar” of the lake and downstream to the Route 522 Bridge.
• Upper and Middle North Anna Branch - From the Route 522 Bridge, to include Route 719 (Holladay Bridge), to Lumsden Flats at Rose Valley Drive

Pamunkey Branch (advisory added)

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Updated 1:20 p.m. — UVA Health says its medical centers in our region are affected by the global CrowdStrike computer outage. The firm operates hospitals in Manassas, Haymarket, and Culpeper.

From UVA Health:

UVA Health is being impacted by a worldwide system outage affecting computers that run on Microsoft Windows. As a result, UVA Health is operating on a modified schedule Friday, July 19. Some ambulatory clinics will be closed today. Patients and team members can find the latest schedule updates at uvahealth.com/status.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center in Woodbridge and its ancillary regional offices usually operate.

We are closely monitoring the IT outage linked to the cybersecurity company CrowdStrike.

Sentara does not utilize CrowdStrike so our IT systems are not directly impacted.

However, we are currently in the process of evaluating the impact on third-party providers and partner organizations who do work with this vendor.

Normal operations remain in process at Sentara hospitals and facilities.
Meanwhile, flights were grounded across the country due to the outage, affecting Windows operating system computers.

Mary Washington Healthcare, which operates hospitals in Stafford County and Fredericksburg, is not affected.

There has been no word yet from Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center.

Meanwhile, the computer outage has not affected local government operations in our region.

Representatives from governments in Prince William and Stafford counties and Manassas and law enforcement agencies in the counties tell us it’s business as usual.

Virignia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued this statement:

Amidst the global tech outages, overnight we have conducted an initial assessment to determine impacts across government agencies and departments for functionality,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Critical health and safety systems, including 911 call systems and transportation infrastructure, are operational. However, airlines continue to experience significant disruptions. The assessment determined that government administrative functions are experiencing disruptions, and we are coordinating with local, regional and federal authorities and private sector critical infrastructure partners in order to reestablish normal operations. As a result of the administrative disturbances, Virginians may experience delays and we ask everyone to remain patient as we work to remedy and reestablish the high standards that Virginians deserve.

Photo: Photo by Irvan Smith on Unsplash