Highland Hospital Earns Magnet® Re-designation
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
For the second time Highland Hospital has achieved Magnet status, the highest designation for nursing excellence and an honor bestowed on less than 8 percent of hospitals in the United States. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which determines Magnet status, made the announcement in a telephone conference Tuesday afternoon to Highland nurses and hospital leaders.
“We are ecstatic to receive this honor for a second time,” said Chief Nursing Officer Tommye Hinton, RN, MSN. “Magnet is the gold standard for nursing care and this re-designation demonstrates our constant commitment to quality patient- and family-centered care, nursing excellence and innovations in nursing practices here at Highland Hospital.”
The ANCC Magnet Recognition Program recognizes health care organizations that provide the best in nursing care and professionalism in nursing practice. The term “Magnet Status” originates from a group of 41 hospitals in the 1980s who were able to recruit and retain nurses despite a national nursing shortage, serving as a “magnet” for the profession.
Magnet status is a four-year designation and Highland Hospital was first given the Magnet designation in 2011. Hundreds of employees contributed to the rigorous application and review process for the program. In June of 2015, Highland submitted a 4,000-page application to show how the hospital meets nursing standards of providing quality patient care, developing innovative practices and achieving excellence in nursing outcomes. In March, the hospital underwent a comprehensive, three-day site visit in which ANCC surveyors conducted interviews with staff and observed patient care.
“This re-designation shows our community the level of excellent care Highland’s nurses are delivering every day,” said Cindy Becker, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Highland Hospital. “I am incredibly proud of every member of our team who made this accomplishment possible.”
Studies show patients benefit from hospitals with Magnet status. Designated hospitals report better patient outcomes, higher satisfaction and improved recruitment and retention of nurses, physicians and other medical professionals.