Our Magnet Journey

What is Magnet Designation? magnet at ulh

The national Magnet Recognition Program® was developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center to identify and recognize excellence in nursing services. Hospitals awarded Magnet designation are referred to as Magnet Hospitals. The Magnet Hospital Recognition Program® is based on quality indicators and standards defined by the American Nurses Association. It is considered to be the “gold standard” in nursing and the highest honor a hospital can receive for its nursing services.

What are the “Forces of Magnetism”?

Each Magnet-designated hospital must demonstrate 14 standards based on the “Forces of Magnetism” which include:

  • Quality nursing leadership
  • Shared decision-making organizational structure
  • Effective management style
  • Career advancement for personnel
  • Professional models of care
  • Quality care
  • Quality improvement
  • Expertise available to staff
  • High level of autonomy
  • Promotion of nurses as teachers
  • Active community outreach
  • Positive perception of nurses
  • Enhanced nurse-physician collaboration
  • Promotes evidence based practice and research participation

How Many Magnet Hospital Are There?

Out of approximately 6,000 hospitals in the United States, 334 hospitals have received Magnet
recognition. In Louisville, there are 2 hospitals who have achieved Magnet recognition.

Characteristics of Magnet Hospitals

Magnet designation fosters a sense of pride among nursing staff and creates a positive workplace. Core values such as empowerment, mentoring, nurturing, respect, integrity and teamwork are demonstrated in Magnet hospitals, in addition to:

  • High quality care and patient outcomes
  • High patient/family satisfaction results
  • High nurse satisfaction
  • High rates of staff retention
  • Identification by nurses as a good place to work
  • High degree of teamwork

The Magnet Steering Team

The Magnet Steering Team meets monthly to provide organizational oversight and implementation of the 14 Forces of Magnetism. The Magnet Steering Team members are:

  • Mary Jane Adams, CNO
  • Claudia Earnest, Director, CCU, Cath Lab, Endoscopy
  • Pam Elzy, Director, Nursing Education and Research
  • Stephanie Perna, Clinical Manager, 8W
  • Roxanne Perucca, Chair, Director of Magnet/Nursing Excellence
  • Sassy Utsey, Clinical Manager, 8E

Our March to Magnet

These are some of our accomplishments toward creating a “culture of excellence”:

  • Established Magnet Steering Team
  • Conducted organizational gap analysis
  • Identified Magnet Workgroups to close the gaps
  • Held Nursing Director Magnet Retreat in January 2009
  • Provided “Journey to Magnet” for Clinical Managers, Advanced Practice Nurses and Education Specialists
  • Provided Facilitator’s Workshop for chairs and co-chairs of unit based practice councils
  • Implemented councilor structure: Nursing Practice and Quality Council, Evidence Based Council, Research Council
  • Provided first Nursing Town Hall Meeting with Mary Jane Adams, CNO
  • Submitted first quarter NDQNI staffing and quality outcome indicators
  • Conducted first RN job satisfaction survey in May 2009
  • Published first Nursing Newsletter in June 2009
  • Introduction of Department of Nursing Webpage
  • Development of the Department of Nursing Vision and Mission statement

Coming soon:

  • Values and Philosophy Statement for the Department of Nursing
  • Implementation of an Advanced Practice Nursing Council
  • Implementation of the Nursing Leadership Council

Nursing Quality Indicators

In first quarter 2009, we reported the following data at the unit level to the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI), a research database that measures patient outcomes and nurse staffing:

  • Patient falls
  • Nosocomial pressure ulcers incidence
  • Bloodstream infections
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Ventilator-associated pneumonia
  • Restraint use
  • Peripheral Intravenous Infiltrations (NICU)
  • Pain Assessment/Intervention/Reassessment Cycle (NICU)
  • Physical/Sexual Assault (Behavioral Health)
  • Nursing Turnover
  • RN education
  • Nursing care hours per patient day

The data obtained from these indicators will help us to quantify the quality of care provided to our patients. Quarterly, a unit by unit comparison of nursing care outcome data will be received. Upon reviewing the data, nursing units will be able to analyze outcomes, nurse staffing, RN engagement and initiate changes if needed. We will be able to nationally benchmark our outcomes with the data of other academic teaching hospitals.

Before applying for Magnet recognition, we must submit nurse-sensitive indicator data for a 2-year period. To be considered for Magnet designation, our outcome data must be outperforming the mean of the national database.

Magnet and YOU!

Some of the things that you can do to help us achieve excellence:

  • Commit to providing exceptional nursing care
  • Adhere to high standards of nursing practice
  • Assure open, honest and timely communication to promote trust, commitment and empowered action
  • Become an active member of your unit based practice council
  • Elevate your professionalism by being a lifelong learner
  • Validate your expertise and knowledge by becoming a certified nurse