UAB Hospital was granted recognition as a Magnet-designated organization today for the fourth consecutive time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Recognition Program®, becoming only the 12th hospital worldwide to receive this designation four consecutive times.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center honor is the most prestigious designation a health care organization can receive for excellence in nursing and patient outcomes.
UAB Hospital Awards, Recognition
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“It is a tremendous honor to achieve Magnet recognition once again for achievements in nursing and patient care,” said Terri Poe, DNP, chief nursing officer of UAB Hospital. “Magnet organizations provide the highest-quality safe-patient care. UAB strives to maintain a culture of professional nursing practice standards and interprofessional collaboration, which is reflective of the achievement of Magnet designation. I am very proud of the entire UAB nursing team and our excellent partners in patient care.”
UAB is the only hospital in Alabama designated a Magnet organization and one of only 410 worldwide. It was first designated in 2002, and then again in 2006 and 2011. A 2015 recognition ensures Magnet designation through 2018. Fewer than 100 hospitals in the world have achieved three consecutive Magnet designations. UAB’s fourth consecutive designation, which includes UAB Highlands for the first time this year, puts UAB in extremely rare company.
UAB earned this designation following a rigorous review of the facility and its various programs. During the past four years, UAB has encouraged and enabled nurses to participate in the decision-making process regarding safety and patient care in their units. This increased input has led to a number of nurse-driven improvements and innovations, which has contributed to recognition nationally by a number of organizations, including Becker’s Hospital Review.
Magnet recognition has become the gold standard for nursing excellence and is taken into consideration when the public judges health care organizations. In fact, U.S. News & World Report’s annual showcase of “America’s Best Hospitals” includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care.
Surveyors from the Magnet Commission visited UAB Hospital from March 9-12 to assess how the hospital meets the Magnet Components. A unanimous vote is required to receive the re-designation.
Magnet re-designation is a vigorous process that becomes more difficult with each consecutive four-year application. To be re-designated as a Magnet organization, a hospital must provide documented evidence of how Magnet concepts, performance and quality were sustained and improved over the four-year period since the hospital received its last recognition. If there is strong written evidence, then an on-site review is conducted by Magnet appraisers.
Documentation is scored against five standards, including:
- Visionary leadership;
- Empowered staff;
- Competent, dedicated, skilled nurses;
- Innovative programs and research; and
- Demonstrated and sustained quality and patient care outcomes.
The Magnet Recognition Program was established in 1993. The goals of the program are to recognize excellence in nursing services and promote and disseminate successful nursing practices.