The Jewish Hospital  Mercy Health and Mercy Health  West Hospital achieved Magnet recognition this week as a reflection of their nursing professionalism, teamwork and superiority in patient care. They join Mercy Health  Fairfield Hospital in holding Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program®, distinguishes organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence.

With this credential, The Jewish Hospital and West Hospital join the global community of Magnet-recognized organizations. Just a small and select group of US health care organizations have achieved Magnet recognition.

“Achieving Magnet recognition reinforces to our nurses the culture of excellence that is a cornerstone of how we serve our community,” said The Jewish Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Vanessa Vonderhaar-Picard.

“It’s also tangible evidence of our nurses’ commitment to providing the very best care to our patients, of which we are extremely proud,” said West Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Jen Jackson.

“Magnet recognition provides our community with the ultimate benchmark to measure the quality of patient care,” said Mercy Health Chief Nursing Executive, Mid-American Group, Stephanie Meade.

Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities, such as:

  • Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information
  • Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rate
  • Higher job satisfaction among nurses
  • Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions

Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and is a factor when the public judges health care organizations. U.S. News & World Report’s annual showcase of “America’s Best Hospitals” includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care.

The Magnet Model provides a framework for nursing practice, research, and measurement of outcomes. Through this framework, ANCC evaluates applicants across a number of components and dimensions to gauge an organization’s nursing excellence.

The foundation of this model comprises various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.