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A new pediatric and medical unit at Inova Loudoun Hospital in Lansdowne was unveiled on Jan. 10 on the 6th floor of the hospital’s North Tower.
The unit officially opens to patients Jan. 22.
Inova Loudoun President Susan Carroll described the unit as a “state-of-the-art expansion” that will enhance healthcare delivery for the community.
The event was attended by Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall, D-At Large, and community leaders including Loudoun Chamber of Commerce President Tony Howard.
“We are excited to share this milestone with all of you,” Carroll told the crowd at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
She noted that there are two hospitals between Loudoun and Richmond that have in-patient pediatric units — Inova Fairfax Hospital and Inova Loudoun Hospital.
The new floor includes 48 private patient rooms, 36 medical/surgical beds and 12 pediatric beds, with six additional rooms for pediatric overflow.
Highlights include five “patient safer” rooms for patients who need both medical and mental health care, eight nursing stations and amenities to assist with workflow, and child-friendly spaces including a children’s activity room with interactive games.
“It’s obviously a beautiful place and there are not as many communities as you think in this country that cares and loves their community hospital as much as Loudoun,” said.
Steve Narang, president of both Inova Fairfax Medical Campus and Inova Pediatric Service Line.
“In 15 years, 35% of community hospitals have closed their pediatric units, and there is plenty of data saying that those who most need care are the ones who now have the least access, our children,” Narang said. “Inova is on the other side of the spectrum. We are investing. How many health systems are now building another pediatric inpatient unit. So this is absolutely more than just actual beds. It’s a commitment to the future.”
Jill McCabe, medical director for Pediatric Emergency and Hospitalist Services at Inova, said the project has been an evolution since the pandemic, when the needs of the community changed. During the pandemic, the pediatric unit was used to provide care for adults who needed care.
“It was really sad for us who had dedicated our careers to taking care of kids, because the kids went away, they didn’t get sick, they didn’t get hurt and they were in their homes,” McCabe said. “And so although we continued to care for a smaller portion, it was a significantly smaller portion. The people who needed our care were the adults of this community.”
But now, she said, she “could not be happier” to see the unit ready to use and open to the public.
“To see the commitment here, and to see our team growing; the kids are back, they need our care and Inova is responding by building this beautiful unit,” McCabe said, “it’s all really good news and thank you for celebrating with us.”