HCA Virginia and Children's National Medical Center to Collaborate on Pediatric Services for Broadlands Regional Medical Center.

RESTON, Va. -- HCA Virginia and Children's National Medical Center of Washington, DC, today announced plans to collaborate on designing, equipping, and preparing Broadlands Regional Medical Center (BRMC) to provide high-quality services for pediatric patients.

Under the terms of a letter of intent, Children's National physicians and administrators will take an active leadership role for BRMC's pediatric service line before and after the hospital opens. They will collaborate in designing BRMC's Pediatric Emergency Room, training its employees and medical staff members, and developing clinical standards of care. In addition, Children's National physicians will provide the medical staff for core pediatric services - including Emergency Services, a dedicated pediatric inpatient unit, and nursery services - and consult on specialty pediatric cases. They also will accept referrals from BRMC-affiliated physicians.

"This partnership focuses the nationally recognized clinical expertise of Children's National Medical Center on a single purpose: making Loudoun County a healthier and safer place for infants, children and teenagers," said Margaret Lewis, President of HCA's Reston-based Capital Division, which includes hospitals in Northern and Southwest Virginia. "It will improve access to routine, chronic and emergency care for Loudoun parents and their children and enable Broadlands Regional Medical Center to offer the highest-quality pediatric services possible in a community hospital setting."

"This collaboration will bring the expertise for which Children's National is nationally and internationally known to the families of Loudoun County," said Edwin K. Zechman, President and CEO, Children's National Medical Center. "Children's is ranked among the best pediatric hospitals in the country and is the only hospital in the mid-Atlantic region solely devoted to pediatric care. With more than 400 pediatric physician and PhD specialists, more than 800 pediatric nurses, hundreds of pediatric-trained support clinicians, and an internationally recognized pediatric Research Institute, Children's brings to the table an unparalleled wealth of expertise and commitment to the region, including Loudoun County."

Under the terms of the agreement, a committee composed of clinical and administrative representatives from both parties will be formed to establish the details of the partnership.

In developing BRMC's Pediatric Emergency Department, the two facilities will emphasize having pediatric physician specialists and sub-specialists available on-site, via telemedicine, or on-call; nurses and other clinical support staff with specialized training in pediatric medicine; equipment that is sized correctly for younger, smaller patients; and medications formulated and prepared in dosages for pediatric patients.

"We are committed to building a hospital that improves the quality of life for Loudoun residents and that provides them with enhanced and new clinical services," said Lewis. "Children's partnership with BRMC will clearly meet both of these objectives."

"Families in Loudoun County can now look forward to having access right here in Loudoun County to the largest complement of pediatric specialists in the mid-Atlantic region," said David Wessel, MD, executive director, Center for Hospital-Based Specialties, Children's National Medical Center. "Together, Children's National and HCA Virginia will provide a full continuum of quality pediatric care to Loudoun County's families."

Virginia's Commissioner of Health approved the construction of Broadlands Regional Medical Center in March 2004, citing Loudoun County's explosive population growth and a shortage of hospital beds and services. The 475,000 square foot facility is slated to be built on a 58-acres campus at the intersection of the Dulles Greenway and Route 659/Belmont Ridge Road. It will have 164 total beds, including 12 obstetrical beds, 16 intensive care beds and 40 child-adolescent psychiatric beds. The facility will also have a 24/7 Emergency Department, seven operating rooms, and a cardiac catheterization lab. The hospital is currently awaiting zoning approval from the county.

About HCA Virginia

HCA Virginia is the state's most comprehensive healthcare network with two dozen locally managed hospitals and outpatient centers in Central, Southwestern, and Northern Virginia, including Reston Hospital Center and Dominion Hospital. With a workforce of more than 13,000, it is one of the state's largest employers and healthcare providers. Each year HCA Virginia facilities provide approximately $100 million in free charity care to needy patients and pays $100 million in taxes that supported vital community services.

About Children's National Medical Center

Children's National Medical Center is the only exclusive provider of pediatric care in the greater Northern Virginia/Washington/Maryland area, and is the only freestanding children's hospital between Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Norfolk, and Atlanta. Serving the nation's children for more than 135 years, Children's National is a proven leader in the development and application of innovative new treatments for childhood illness and injury.

The components of Children's National Medical Center include:

* Children's Hospital, which features 283 beds, 48 of which are level IIIC NICU bassinets; a Level I pediatric trauma center which serves three states; and a critical care transfer program via ambulance, helicopter and fixed-wing airplane;

* Seven Regional Outpatient Centers that provide specialty care around the Beltway;

* A primary care program that includes health centers within the District of Columbia and owned practices throughout the metropolitan area;

* Children's National Pediatric Primary Care Health Network with 400 affiliated pediatricians;

* Children's Research Institute which is a leader in basic and clinical research programs; and

* Other subsidiaries that focus on school health services, mobile health services, community partnerships, and safety campaigns.

Children's National's internationally recognized team of pediatric healthcare professionals care for more than 360,000 patients each year who come from throughout the region, nation and world. Serving as an advocate for all children, Children's is the largest non-governmental provider of pediatric care in the District of Columbia, providing more than $50 million in uncompensated care. In addition, Children's serves as the regional referral center for pediatric emergency, trauma, cancer, cardiac and critical care as well as neonatology, orthopaedic surgery, neurology, and neurosurgery.

Children's National is proudly ranked among the best pediatric hospitals in America by U.S. News & World Report and the Leapfrog Group. For more information, visit www.childrensnational.org.