DECATUR, GA - Emory Decatur Hospital/Emory Long-Term Acute Care (combined facilities) has achieved its first Magnet designation, the highest international recognition for excellence in nursing from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program. The designation distinguishes organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence.
With this credential, Emory Decatur Hospital/Emory Long-Term Acute Care becomes Emory Healthcare’s sixth Magnet facility and joins the global community of Magnet-recognized organizations. Less than 10% of U.S. health care organizations have achieved Magnet recognition.
“Magnet recognition provides our community with the ultimate benchmark to measure the quality of patient care,” says Jen Schuck, CEO of Emory Decatur Hospital/Emory Long-Term Acute Care and Emory Hillandale Hospital. “Achieving Magnet recognition reinforces the culture of excellence that is a cornerstone of how we serve our community. It’s also solid evidence of our nurses’ commitment and dedication to providing the very best care to our patients.”
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 rates.
- 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 evaluates 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.
“Our Magnet journey began five years ago and despite the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, we never lost hope that our vision to achieve Magnet designation would soon become a reality,” says Bob Dent, DNP, chief nursing officer and vice president of patient care services at Emory Decatur Hospital/Emory Long-Term Acute Care. “Magnet designation is a badge of honor recognized across health care institutions and by consumers, but also a part of our long-term strategic goals and a reflection of our commitment to delivering world-class care to all our patients.”
To achieve Magnet recognition, organizations must complete a rigorous and lengthy process that involves participation from leadership and staff in an electronic application, written documentation of examples of excellence, an on-site visit and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition. During the on-site visit, Magnet surveyors examine 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.
“We are thrilled to be recognized by the ANCC for our culture that empowers nurses and the entire care team to focus on patient safety and the best possible patient experience,” says Marianne Baird, RN, director of clinical excellence and Magnet program director for Emory Decatur Hospital/Emory Long-Term Acute Care. “I am incredibly proud of our entire clinical team for achieving this goal and thank our executive leadership, providers, care management team, support staff and others who have supported and encouraged us in this journey.”
“Our mission is to ensure that all Emory Healthcare facilities receive Magnet designation for excellence in nursing, and we are another step closer to that possibility with Emory Decatur Hospital/Emory Long-Term Acute Care’s recognition,” says Sharon Pappas, PhD, RN, chief nurse executive for Emory Healthcare. “Congratulations to our hard-working and dedicated nursing teams who provide compassionate, high-quality care to our patients and their families every day.”
About ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program
The Magnet Recognition Program — administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the largest and most prominent nurses credentialing organization in the world — identifies health care organizations that provide the very best in nursing care and professionalism in nursing practice.
The Magnet Recognition Program is the highest national honor for nursing excellence and provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark for measuring quality of care. For more information about the Magnet Recognition Program and current statistics, visit here.