PASADENA, Calif., March 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Huntington Memorial Hospital
announced today it has achieved Magnet designation for excellence in nursing by
the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Only five percent of the
nation's hospitals have earned this prestigious designation which recognizes
healthcare organizations that demonstrate sustained excellence in nursing.
"Earning Magnet designation is a testament to the extraordinary nursing
care available at Huntington Hospital," said Bonnie Kass, vice president and chief nursing executive.
"This is the highest honor a U.S. hospital can receive for its
nursing program and our nurses have worked tirelessly to achieve this
accomplishment."
Stephen A. Ralph, Huntington Hospital president and CEO adds,
"It is our patients and community who will benefit most from Huntington becoming a
Magnet hospital. The designation signifies a superior level of care ?
that must be earned and maintained vigilantly."
Huntington
Hospital
is the first hospital in the San Gabriel Valley to be awarded Magnet
designation, and one of only three in Los Angeles.
The ANCC honors organizations that demonstrate excellence in nursing
practice and adherence to national standards and best practices. A Magnet
hospital is one that has met the specific standards set forth by ANCC. These
standards define the highest quality of nursing practice and patient care. The
standards must be demonstrated in an extensive written document that is divided
into four volumes and can reach a length of up to 3,000 pages. A site
visit takes place after the documents are reviewed so examiners may clarify,
amplify and verify the document through extensive onsite interviews and unit
tours.
Huntington
Hospital
was notified of Magnet
recognition on March 21, approximately three months
after the ANCC site visit. The news was delivered to Lulu Rosales, RN, MSN, director of professional
practice/Magnet project, who was recruited by Huntington
specifically to lead the cause, and Bonnie Kass,
in an auditorium full of anxious Huntington Hospital employees.
"I was thrilled to learn we were awarded Magnet designation,"
said Rosales. "So many Huntington Hospital employees
supported our nurses and played an important part in realizing this
honor."
Research shows there are clear benefits to hospitals that are awarded Magnet
status and to the communities they serve including consumer confidence,
recruitment and retention and maintaining positive patient outcomes. The
designation is awarded for four years, during which time the ANCC monitors
facilities to ensure high standards of care remain intact.
Huntington
Hospital
is a 635-bed not-for-profit hospital that is home to the only trauma
center in the San Gabriel Valley. Renowned
for its programs in neuro-sciences, cardiovascular services and cancer care, Huntington is an
active teaching hospital with Graduate Medical Education programs in
internal medicine and general surgery. The hospital has a regional
neonatal intensive care unit, treating babies with the highest acuity.
For over 119 years, Huntington
has been committed to serving its community with excellence, compassion and
respect. Consistent with its mission, Huntington provides millions of
dollars in charity care and benefits for vulnerable populations, health
research, education and training and supports programs that may otherwise be
absent from the community, including geriatric psychiatric services, children's
asthma management and diabetes workshops in English and Spanish.