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t m c » p u l s e | d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4 38 ShORT TAKeS Memorial Hermann-TMC Achieves 'Gold Medal' of Nursing M emorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center (TMC) recently announced that it achieved one of the highest levels of recognition a hospi- tal can receive—Magnet ® recognition for excellence in nursing services by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program. ® Magnet recognition is the highest possible organizational credential granted by the ANCC, the largest and most prominent nursing credentialing organization in the United States, and less than seven percent of hospitals in the country have achieved Magnet status since the program's inception in 1994. In order to earn Magnet status, hospitals must excel in several areas, including nursing standards and prac- tices, patient care, and innovations in nursing leadership and management. This is Memorial Hermann-TMC's first Magnet recognition. "This is a major milestone for our campus and we are delighted and so proud to add Magnet recognition to our growing list of achievements," said Victoria King, Chief Nursing Officer at Memorial Hermann-TMC. "This status is the top honor in nursing. It not only recognizes the excellent work our nurs- ing staff does every day, it also rewards their unwavering commitment to pro- vide the highest quality care possible for our patients." Before a hospital is selected for Magnet recognition, ANCC com- pletes a rigorous, extensive evaluation process that includes on-site visits, reviews of written documentation, staff and patient satisfaction surveys and interviews. Initial Magnet recognition is valid for four years and, during that time, hospitals and nursing staff are closely monitored, evaluated and sur- veyed to ensure they remain in compli- ance with the program's high standards. At the end of the four-year period, hos- pitals must re-apply and again undergo the challenging evaluation process. Studies have demonstrated that Magnet-recognized hospitals typically provide a higher quality of patient care, including lower mortality rates and bet- ter patient satisfaction. Magnet hospi- tals also experience lower turnover and lower rates of burnout among nursing staff. The recognition is also directly linked to a hospital's ability to attract and retain qualified, highly educated nursing staff. Craig Cordola, CEO of Memorial Hermann-TMC, says the recognition is also linked to increased consumer con- fidence. "Magnet status is synonymous with innovative, high-quality health care," he said. "When patients see that your campus is Magnet-recognized, they know they are going to be in good hands. But Magnet is also more than just a nursing credential; it is an honor given to the entire team, working col- laboratively with our nursing staff, in order to reach this impressive level of achievement." Of the 5,000+ hospitals in the United States, only 391 are Magnet facilities. Memorial Hermann-TMC now shares its Magnet status with two other hospi- tals in the Memorial Hermann Health System: Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center and Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital. — Kathryn Klein, Memorial Hermann-TMC