Baptist Health Recognized as a Magnet™ Health Care System

Jacksonville, FL (Vocus) December 18, 2007 -

This morning, Baptist Health was notified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) that it has achieved recognition as a Magnet™ Health Care System, an international quality designation enjoyed by less than five percent of hospitals in the country. Magnet status is considered the “gold standard” for nursing and clinical care.

Baptist Health is the only multi-hospital health system in Northeast Florida to earn Magnet status, and one of only 13 health systems nationwide.

The distinction comes after more than three years of extensive documentation and evaluation of Baptist Health’s clinical care and work environment at its five hospitals plus Baptist Home Health Care. The American Nurses Credentialing Center, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association that awards Magnet Status, looked at nearly 100 criteria in evaluating care at Baptist.

“Magnet Recognition is the result of years of work by our nurses, physicians and staff to develop the highest standards of care, to build a culture of shared leadership, and to exemplify the role of nurses as leaders,” says A. Hugh Greene, FACHE, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “It is a tribute to each and every one of our employees, physicians, board members and volunteers who have made this achievement possible.”

“Magnet status is the highest honor an organization can receive for excellence in nursing and quality patient care,” says Diane Raines, RN, MSN, CNAA, BC, chief nursing officer of Baptist Health. “It not only recognizes our outstanding nurses and the care they provide, but all of our employees and the collaboration we enjoy throughout Baptist Health. Magnet status reflects the culture of caring and excellence that Baptist Health is known for in our community.”

Researchers who have compared Magnet hospitals to those that haven’t earned the quality status have found that Magnet hospitals enjoy better patient outcomes, including lower mortality rates and higher patient satisfaction. Likewise, nurses at Magnet hospitals report higher morale and perceive the care being given by their institutions as better.

Studies also show that Magnet-designated hospitals outperform in recruiting and retaining nurses – vital activities, especially given projections that the current national shortage of nurses will only get worse in the coming decade. Documentation shows that nurses at Magnet hospitals consider them good places to work. The hospitals themselves have lower staff turnover and vacancy rates, contributing to more consistent quality and performance.

A study in the Journal of Nursing Administration found that Magnet hospitals are “infused with quality care, nurse autonomy, informal and non-rigid verbal communication, innovation, bringing out the best in each individual, and striving for excellence.” High-quality nursing creates a “halo” effect, as well, making a hospital more attractive to nurses’ colleagues, including physicians and ancillary staff.

The rigorous process of achieving Magnet Status at Baptist Health began in 2003. A steering committee started documenting the practice of nursing throughout the hospital, focusing on 14 key nursing standards such as quality of care, planning, implementation, evaluation, education and ethics. Required documentation included descriptions of “the innovative, dynamic, excellence-focused features of the organization.”

Baptist Health submitted more than 2,000 pages of documentation demonstrating achievements in patient care, nurse satisfaction, quality improvement and nursing research. The health system scored within a “range of excellence,” earning a site visit from four nurse appraisers from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the Magnet Recognition Program®. The appraisers conducted a comprehensive review of Baptist Medical Centers (Downtown, South, Beaches and Nassau), Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Baptist Home Health Care over five days in the fall, meeting with more than 1,000 nurses, physicians, employees in other disciplines, executive leadership, community members, and board members. The team visited nursing units throughout the system and discussed Baptist Health care and nursing practice with patients, visitors, health care team members, and other employees.

Baptist Health is a faith-based, mission-driven system comprised of Baptist Medical Center Downtown and Baptist Heart Hospital; Baptist Medical Center Beaches; Baptist Medical Center Nassau; Baptist Medical Center South; and Wolfson Children’s Hospital – Jacksonville’s only children’s hospital. Baptist Health also includes cardiology and cardiovascular surgery services, a comprehensive cancer center, neurosciences (including Primary Stroke Centers at Baptist Downtown and Baptist South), orthopaedic institute, women’s resource center, a full range of psychology and psychiatry services, outpatient facilities, urgent care services and a network of primary care physicians’ offices throughout Northeast Florida. Baptist Health is the official healthcare provider for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

For more information, visit http://www.e-baptisthealth.com

Contacts:

Cindy Hamilton

Director, Public Relations

Cindy.Hamilton@bmcjax.com

Phone: 904.202.4907    

Vikki Mioduszewski, APR

Medical Writer/Editor

Vikki.Mioduszewski@bmcjax.com

Phone: 904.202.5122

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