Hackensack University Medical Center is the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to achieve Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center for the seventh consecutive time.
The Magnet Recognition Program is recognized as the gold standard of nursing excellence, with fewer than 10% of hospitals in the country receiving this designation.
The program recognizes health care organizations that meet arduous standards for nursing excellence. The program focuses on advancing three goals within each Magnet organization: promoting quality in a setting that supports professional practice; identifying excellence in the delivery of nursing services to patients; and disseminating “best practices” in nursing services.
Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Bob Garrett obviously was thrilled.
“For nearly 30 years, Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals have been recognized for nursing excellence and transforming the way care is delivered,” he said. “This designation is a testament to our world-class nursing team, who provides high-quality, compassionate care each day.”
To achieve Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and team members. This process includes an electronic application, a written document, a virtual or on-site visit and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition. Health care organizations reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet concepts and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality.
An organization reapplying for Magnet recognition must provide documented evidence to demonstrate how team members sustained and improved Magnet concepts, performance and quality over the four-year period since the organization received its most recent recognition.
Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities. This includes:
- 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.
Mark Sparta, the chief hospital executive of HUMC and president of the Northern Region of HMH, said the recognition shows the collaboration and camaraderie of the staff.
“Our latest Magnet redesignation reflects the outstanding nursing care at Hackensack University Medical Center and is a direct result of our nursing and leadership team working together with a focused commitment on providing the very best care for our patients,” he said.
“As we pursued this redesignation, our chief nursing officer, Ramonita Jiménez — along with our Magnet Steering Committee — have provided our outstanding nursing team with thoughtful, caring and visionary leadership and created a roadmap to advancing the standard of nursing care.”
Regina Foley, the chief nursing officer at HMH, agreed.
“This recognition underscores Hackensack Meridian Health’s commitment to maintaining a culture of excellence,” she said “Our incredible nursing team enhances the patient experience while improving outcomes, and we look forward to continuing to provide the excellent care our patients deserve.”
Jiménez, the chief nursing officer at HUMC, said the program makes the staff better.
“Participating in the Magnet recognition process requires us to continually listen to feedback from our nursing team and our patients and look at our outcomes to evaluate our strengths, weaknesses and performance,” she said.
“Our nurses are outstanding at what they do, and our Magnet redesignation shows our community that we are committed to making all of our patients feel welcome, cared for and safe.”
