News

For the fourth time, nurses at St. Joseph’s/Candler have proven to provide the highest level of nursing care, earning The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition®.

There are only 29 other health systems in the world who have earned a fourth designation. Established in 1994, the Magnet® designation is the highest level of recognition that can be accomplished by organized nursing services in the national and international healthcare communities.

“I am extremely proud of our nursing staff. To earn a Magnet national award for the fourth time illustrates the expertise, dedication and values of each of our nurses and how effective they can work as a group,” said Paul P. Hinchey, President & CEO of St. Joseph’s/Candler. “The Magnet designation proves that the skills of our nurses give our patients better outcomes. Fewer than 10 percent of the hospitals in the country have four designations, which is quite remarkable.”

St. Joseph’s/Candler is one of only six Magnet-designated facilities in Georgia and 422 in the world.

It is important to differentiate the Magnet designation from other “awards” some hospitals promote that rely primarily on opinions rather than scientific and quantitative data. The ANCC actually researches how nurses administer care to patients.

Independent research has shown that Magnet hospitals have better outcomes in safety practices and better communication in problem solving. St. Joseph’s/Candler showed the Magnet evaluators how the 1,323 nurses in the system were able to improve patient outcomes. During the last eight quarters, the health system outperformed the Magnet standards on:

• Hospital acquired pressure ulcers
• Central Line-Associate Bloodstream Infections
• Time from patient arrival to EKG
• Stroke education

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 thoroughly assess the applicant. After this rigorous 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 2010 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 and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as 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
• Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue
• Higher job satisfaction among nurses
• Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave position.

“Our nurses strive to be the best-educated and best-trained in the region, and that has been repeatedly showed in our Magnet designations,” said Sherry Danello, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at St. Joseph’s/Candler. “Better educated nurses and nurse leaders yield better patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs.”