UCSD Medical Center recently started on the journey to achieve Magnet status, one more way the Medical Center is demonstrating its commitment to clinical excellence.
The Magnet Recognition Program is administered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). It was established in 1990 and provides a method of recognizing hospitals that create and maintain a professional practice environment that ensures quality patient outcomes.
“Achieving Magnet designation is consistent with our vision of providing clinical excellence, our mission to take exceptional care of people – our patients, our visitors, and each other--and our overall Power of Excellence journey. Although the Magnet Program has been fostered by ANCC and our Magnet journey is being championed by our nursing colleagues, achievement of Magnet Designation requires each and every member of our team to demonstrate a consistent level of professional practice that results in exceptional care to our patients,” said Richard Liekweg, UCSD Medical Center Chief Executive Officer.
The Magnet program is based on research which identified 14 characteristics that were best able to recruit and retain nurses. The 14 characteristics became know as the “Forces” and today serve as the framework for the appraisal process and attributes that exemplify excellence in nursing.
While the complete Magnet accreditation process can take up to 5 years, the benefits are substantial. Research shows Magnet designation attracts highly qualified physicians and specialists; fosters a climate that reinforces collaborative working relationships; and above all, improves patient quality outcomes by establishing standards of excellence which health care organizations must attain. According to a survey conducted by the ANCC, 93% of respondents indicated that knowing that a hospital has passed rigorous standards regarding quality of hospital nursing care would increase their confidence in the overall care provided by the hospital.
"The UCSD nursing community has begun the Magnet Journey in pursuit of clinical and service excellence. We invite the medical staff and all members of the medical center healthcare team to join us and meet this challenge, because Excellence has no finish line,” said Margarita Baggett, Chief Nursing Officer at UCSD Medical Center.
Additional examples of the steps UCSD Medical Center is taking to reach Magnet designation will be illustrated in the next few issues of Health Sciences News.
The 14 Forces of Magnetism
- Quality of Nursing Leadership
- Organizational Structure
- Management Style
- Personnel Policies and Programs
- Professional Models of Care
- Quality of Care
- Quality improvement
- Consultation and Resources
- Autonomy
- Community and Healthcare Organization
- Nurses as Teachers
- Image of Nursing
- Interdisciplinary Relationships
- Professional Development