Mercy Health Youngstown Achieves Redesignation from the Magnet Recognition Program

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO (December 5, 2016) – Mercy Health – Youngstown – including St. Elizabeth Youngstown, St. Elizabeth Boardman and St. Joseph Warren hospitals – continues its recognition as one of the nation’s top healthcare organizations for nursing professionalism, teamwork and superiority in patient care. The hospitals have earned re-designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program^®. Magnet distinguishes organizations that meet the most rigorous standards for nursing excellence.

With the initial designation of St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital and St. Joseph Warren Hospital in 2002, Mercy Health – Youngstown became the first healthcare organization in the entire state of Ohio to be recognized by Magnet. St. Elizabeth Boardman joined the other two hospitals in Magnet in 2011. Only 8 percent of U.S. hospitals rise to Magnet status. And even fewer earn re-designation. Magnet hospitals must complete the re-designation process every four years.

“This is truly an extraordinary achievement for our organization,” said Lori DeNiro, MSN, R.N., NE-BC, chief nursing officer, Mercy Health – Youngstown. “Amazing patient care is at the heart of everything we do. Magnet recognition is tangible evidence of our nurses’ commitment to consistently delivering superior quality, patient care, nursing excellence and innovation in professional nursing practice to the people in our communities. We couldn’t be prouder of the work being done in our hospitals.”

Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to healthcare organizations and their communities, including:

• 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 rates
• Higher job satisfaction among nurses
• Lower nurse reports of intent to leave their positions

To achieve Magnet re-designation, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. This process includes an electronic application, written patient care documentation, an on-site visit and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition.

When informing Mercy Health – Youngstown that the Commission had unanimously voted to re-designate its hospitals, Commission chair Donna Havens, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, said: “We truly believe Mercy Health – Youngstown is an outstanding leader and partner in meeting your community’s needs, including its educational and outreach needs. Your re-designation is a testament to your commitment to nursing excellence for the entire healthcare team. But, most importantly, to the impact you have on the patients and families you serve.”

Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence. The Magnet Model provides a framework for nursing practice, research and measurement of outcomes. Healthcare organizations cannot earn Magnet recognition without quality nursing leadership, coordination and collaboration across specialties, and well-defined and executed processes for measuring and improving quality and delivery of care.