Happy care teams and leaders alike shouted, shook pompoms and shot streamers into the air as Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton received its first American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet® designation Nov. 15.
Melissa Winans, D.N.P., M.B.A.-HCM, DNP, R.N., NEA-BC, FACHE, chief nursing officer, sat surrounded by nurses from various units as she heard the news via a Teams call projected on a large screen.
“This is not just a nursing award, this is Texas Health Denton’s award,” she told a conference room full of caregivers. “It took each and every one of you, and without each of you we couldn’t do the work that we do or provide the high-quality care that we do.”
Jeanette Ives Erickson, D.N.P., R.N., NEA-BC, FAAN, chair of the Commission for the Magnet Recognition Program®, told the group: “Thank you for everything you have been doing on behalf of your patients, your family and for keeping each other safe. Take time to reflect on all the good that you’re doing.”
Hospital President Jeff Reecer said: “This is just an acknowledgment of all the great work we do. I’m incredibly proud of where we are and thankful for all of you.”
The hospital also received four exemplars with the award, which are areas in which Texas Health Denton surpassed benchmarks. The exemplars are in high nurse satisfaction and lower numbers than the benchmarks in central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs); catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs); and hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs).
As of Oct. 22, a total of 601 U.S. hospitals had Magnet designations, with 60 of those in Texas, according to the ANCC. Seven wholly owned Texas Health hospitals are Magnet-recognized.
Consumers looking for quality healthcare are likely to find significantly better outcomes at Magnet hospitals, according to studies such as this one in the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
The designation every four years recognizes quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in nursing practice. It also identifies environments where nurses and clinical staff work collaboratively within a positive culture that supports new ideas and evidence-based work practices.
Published November 18, 2022
