U.S. Hospitals have made significant investments during the last decade in achieving distinction through national recognition programs including Baldridge®, Magnet®, Planetree and others. Emphasis on exceeding national benchmarks in quality, safety, engagement, and experience help hospitals stand out. Recruitment and retention of a strong nursing and clinical workforce continues to be a top strategic priority for healthcare leaders. You can understand why when you consider that RN labor costs make up 25.5% of a hospitals budget.
One of the most valued recognitions of distinction, when it comes to recruitment and retention of nursing, is Magnet® designation. Just under 10% of hospitals have achieved Magnet®. Significantly, many hospitals see this designation as a key to their future success and survival. While many hospitals have made progress, only a fraction of those who pursue Magnet® are successful. Re-designation, which must happen every 4 years, is similarly difficult to achieve.
It turns out sustaining excellence is trickier than achieving it in the first place. This is a story of one such hospital’s experience. By deconstructing their journey, you will gain insight into the critical ingredients of a culture of continuing excellence. This 300-bed community teaching hospital had received designations, including Planetree Designated® Patient-Centered Hospital, and Magnet® designation as well as the construction of a brand-new hospital building. Yet, the challenge was sustaining excellence over time. Sustainment turned out to be their Achilles heel.
MAGNET®, Magnet Recognition Program®, ANCC Magnet Recognition®, Journey to Magnet Excellence®, Pathway to Excellence® Program, Pathway to Excellence in Long Term Care®, Demographic Data Collection Tool®, DDCT®, Practice Transition Accreditation Program® (PTAP) are registered trademarks of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The products and services of Creative Health Care Management are neither sponsored nor endorsed by ANCC. All rights reserved. The content presented in here is the expressed opinion of the author/presenter and not that of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
