Newsworthy

Stormont Vail Health has attained a fourth consecutive Magnet® recognition as part of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®. This voluntary credentialing program is the most prestigious distinction a healthcare organization can receive for nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes. Organizations that achieve Magnet® recognition are part of an esteemed group that demonstrates superior nursing practices and outcomes.

“Attaining a Magnet designation, the gold standard for nursing programs, is proof of the excellent care our team members deliver every day,” said Carol Perry, MSM, BSN, RN, FACHE, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer. “We take pride in this designation and thank our team for their contributions. It validates the excellence of our care team and shows the robust health of Stormont Vail.”

What Does the Designation Mean for Patients?

Magnet recognition has become the gold standard for nursing excellence which aids in recruiting and retaining nurses, physicians, and specialists. To patients, Magnet recognition means the very best care delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best. Fall rates in Magnet hospitals are lower than in non-Magnet facilities, and patients have lower odds of mortality.

What Does it Take to Achieve a Magnet Designation?

To achieve initial Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. The process begins with the submission of an electronic application, followed by written documentation demonstrating qualitative and quantitative evidence regarding patient care and outcomes. If scores from the written documentation fall within a range of excellence, an on-site visit will occur to assess the applicant thoroughly. After the onsite review process, the Commission on Magnet will review the completed appraisal report and vote to determine whether Magnet recognition will be granted.

An organization seeking to reapply for Magnet recognition must provide documented evidence of how Magnet concepts, performance, and quality were sustained and improved over the four-year period since the hospital received its initial recognition. In particular, the Magnet model is designed to provide a framework for nursing practice, research, and measurement of outcomes. Through this framework, ANCC can assess applicants across a number of components and dimensions to gauge an organization’s nursing excellence. The foundation of this model is composed of various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include the quality of nursing leadership, coordination and collaboration across specialties, and processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care. Magnet recognition has been shown to provide specific benefits to hospitals and their communities, such as:

• Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help, and receipt of discharge information
• Higher job satisfaction among nurses
• Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave a position

Being recognized as a Magnet facility for the fourth time is a great achievement for Stormont Vail as it continues to belong to the Magnet community proudly. Stormont Vail Health was initially designated a Magnet hospital in 2009, then again in 2014 and 2018. Hospitals must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet concepts and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality.