Inova to open an EmPATH mental health unit
Inova Fairfax Hospital is opening the region’s first EmPATH center, a specialized unit that provides a safe, calming environment for patients experiencing a mental health crisis.
Inova officials gave donors and reporters a tour of the EmPATH unit, a new emergency department for children, and a new section of the adult emergency room on Nov. 12.
Those facilities are part of Inova Fairfax Hospital’s $161 million emergency department expansion and renovation. The project is expected to be completed in 2028.
Fairfax Hospital’s emergency department has seen a 20 percent increase in patients over the last year and a-half. The ER treated 175,000 patients in 2023, making it the fourth busiest ER in the nation, Inova reports.
A surge in the number of patients seeking behavioral health services underscores the need for a mental health approach separate from medical emergency services.
EmPATH stands for Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing. The unit will serve patients aged 18 and above who voluntarily seek care. Staff will offer mental health assessments, therapeutic interventions, and referrals to community resources.
The unit has 14 rooms for patient care, larger group therapy spaces, and a lounge area. Patients won’t be confined to a room; they will be able to take a shower, get some food, and walk around.
The EmPATH unit doesn’t have beds. The goal is to discharge patients within 24 hours. That will free up space in the ER, reduce psychiatric hospitalizations, and cut ER waiting times.
“Navigating a mental health crisis is often overwhelming for patients and families alike, especially in the high-stimulus environment of an emergency room,” said Inova CEO Dr. J. Stephen Jones. “By investing in EmPATH, we are responding to the needs of our patients and community by taking an innovative approach to care in a supportive setting that is more conducive to healing.”
The EmPATH unit will open to patients on Nov. 19.
The new family-friendly pediatric emergency department and the first phase of the ER expansion will begin admitting patients on Dec. 10.
The redesigned pediatric ER has a separate reception area, 43 patient rooms, an X-ray room, and calming features to reduce fear and anxiety. A large interactive screen in the reception area will keep children entertained while they wait to be seen.
The new section of the adult ER has 12 patient rooms and nine ER rooms for behavioral health patients in addition to the EmPATH unit.
When the full expansion project is completed, the adult emergency department will have a larger intake area, new technology for faster check-ins, and a new ambulance arrival zone. The number of patient rooms will be expanded from the current 43 to 103.
The new rooms at both the adult and children’s emergency departments have upgraded technology, including tablets outside each room connected to the nurse stations. Instead of dry erase boards, each room will have an electronic board providing treatment information for patients. The TVs in each room can also be used for telemedicine sessions.
The medical instruments in the children’s and psychiatric rooms can be hidden by drop-down screens to ensure patients don’t mess with them.
The new emergency room lobby will be named for the Peterson family in recognition of their $5 million donation to the project. Jon Peterson is head of the Peterson Cos., a property management firm. The family has so far donated $50 million to Inova.
“The expansion of both the adult and pediatric emergency departments is essential to meet the growing needs of our community and provide the level of emergency care our patients deserve,” said Dr. Steve Narang, president of Inova Fairfax Hospital and Inova Children’s Hospital.
“More space strengthens our ability to deliver timely, compassionate care in a state-of-the-art environment,” he said. “We are proud to create an experience that supports patients and families during some of their most critical moments.”
Related story: Peterson family donates $20 million to Inova
