Pursue Magnet Status

National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs), established in 2002 by the Joint Commission, is to help accredited organizations address specific areas of concern in regard to patient safety ("Catheter-Associated," 2015). NPSG.07.06.01 Implement evidence-based practices to prevent indwelling catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) is a 2015 NPSG ("The Joint Commission," 2015). Our facility has 1.32 CAUTIs per 1000 device days (Carson, 2015). Decreasing CAUTIs can be achieved with a strict goal, addressing the financial implications, interdisciplinary collaboration, nursing leadership, a measurement tool, and discussing the future healthcare delivery methods.

Magnet asks healthcare organizations to define their philosophy because it is the leading resource for establishing effective and efficient nursing practices. (Magnet Monday, n.d.). This magnet is a landmark behind the success of certain hospitals with low turnover rates, better quality of care, decreased length of stay, and improved outcomes. (Magnet Monday, n.d.). American Nurses Credentialing Center for Magnet status is a prestigious award that not all hospitals attain. Those who are Magnet status have higher nurse retention and satisfaction, improved quality of care, less nurse burnout, and lower mortality rates

The Magnet Status refers to “a status given to a hospital that meets a set of criteria aimed at measuring its strength and quality of nursing (Nurses, 2015).” Some of the reasons why hospitals want that Magnet status were to create the quality of care back to nurses, making their services important, and investing in them. The Magnet philosophy is about the right staff acuity, nursing skills, and clinical environment. Continuing to strive for excellence is one of the main goals. According to an article, to be a magnet status hospital, you must have nursing resources such as higher education for nurses (Nurses, 2015). This concept benefits nursing positions, the hospital, and patient care.

The nursing profession is dealing with numerous issues that pertain to their role in the healthcare system. As the United States (US) healthcare system continues to expand, the nurses should acclimate to the changes it bring, including with the advancement in technology, the social issues we are facing, the knowledge from research and evidence-based project and innovation in the nursing education. With this in mind, the opportunity for nursing is unfolding and we are in the right position to capitalize on our strengths in knowledge, skills, and attitudes, being the frontline healthcare workers and the largest in numbers in taking care of our patients. The Magnet status and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are the topics chosen for this discussion

Patients want and expect to receive high quality care. Nurses want to provide the best care possible to their patients and like everybody else; want a pleasing job environment. Hospitals, on the other hand, are expected to provide a safe environment to patients, have enough nursing staff and remain profitable (Keller, Dulle, Kwiecinski, Altimier & Owens, 2013). The ultimate goal is to improve quality of care and patient safety across the United States; therefore, all the different interests of these major stakeholders should be taken into

The application process for Magnet recognition can take several years and involves the hospital as a whole. The application and appraisal process is evolved, lengthy and voluntary. It takes dedication from all involved with the institute, from the bedside nurse to the highest level of management. A facility begins the process years prior to the actual application time. During this year all in the hospital begin to implement and practice the fourteen forces of Magnetism. These forces center on nursing, from quality to leadership to monument to autonomy and even interdisciplinary relationships and professional development. (Association) Once a facility as met all of the application requirements, paid the fees, a site visit is arraigned. If all goes well, a hospital is awarded Magnet Recognition.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center has one of its initiatives as recognizing health care organization for good and quality patient care through the use of evidence base practice (EBP). The magnet recognition is the of the world’s most ultimate credential that a health care organization can uphold. Consumers and their families always seek magnet recognized hospitals for their health care needs. This program was created in 1990 by the American Nurses Association board of directors with its emphasis on nursing excellence through the use of evidence base practices to provide care for patients. A pilot program which involved five hospitals for the magnet recognition program was initiated to observe and measure any outcome. The University

Involvement of nurses in patient care substantially improves the quality of care and reduces medical errors. A study conducted by RWJF at John Hopkins University has found significant reduction in blood stream infection can be achieved by nurses leading the

The magnet hospital model is an international design to provide optimal framework for nursing care and future research. The model is composed of transformational leadership, empirical outcomes, exemplary professional practice, structural empowerment, and new knowledge combined with innovations and improvements. Hospitals that participate in the model and were awarded the title are constantly looking to improve and expand. They strive to provide expert care globally. Scheduling and staffing are done in a way to keep nurses from burning out. The lower the burnout rate the higher the rate of satisfaction and overall health of patients. When nurses are not burnt out they work optimally and want to work with their patients and that creates

In the early 1980s it came to light that while the supply of nurses had reached a record high, only 80% of hospitals nationwide had adequate nurse staffing levels (American Nurse Credentialing Center, 2011, p. 8). To address this issue a taskforce was formed within the American Academy of Nursing (AAN). Through an initial study of 165 hospitals, the AAN determined the characteristics of healthcare organizations that were magnetically attracting and retaining nurses as employees (American Nurse Credentialing Center, p. 9). In this study the AAN found “Forces of Magnetism” that contributed to the high level of job satisfaction amongst nurses, superior quality of care, low job turnover, and high level of nurse involvement in leadership, decision-making, and research. In the early 1990s, catapulted by the findings of this initial study, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) developed the Magnet Recognition Program. The intention of the ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program was threefold: To reward hospitals that demonstrated “excellence in the delivery of nursing services to patients;” to encourage quality in the nursing work environment to support practicing professional nurses; and to guide navigation for the dissemination of evidenced-based clinical nursing practice (American Nurse Credentialing Center, 2011, p. 14).

Magnet hospitals are named for their potential to attract and retain qualified nurses. Magnet hospitals are facilities that have been certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for promoting positive patient outcomes through best practices in nursing (Upenieks, 2003). The Magnet environment fosters autonomy and professional nursing practice. Research shows that Magnet hospitals have better work environments, a more highly educated nursing workforce, superior nurse-to-patient staffing ratios, and higher nurse satisfaction than non-Magnet hospitals (Aiken, Kelly, & McHugh, 2011). Implementation of that environment requires the ability to create trust, accountability, and open communication in changing times.

I’m like you after reading the chapter I got to understand a little better the concept of a magnet status hospital, one that I didn’t know before existed since I have no experience working in the US as a nurse. But I consider that every hospital and centers that offer healthcare related services should give their best in offering the best quality care service as possible and that just that being recognize as a magnet hospital shouldn’t be their priority, but that the patient feels satisfied with their care and that the employees are given the best care available. “Magnet designation is one of the healthcare industry’s most celebrated indicators of quality patient care” (Hebda & Czar, 2013, p.21). The institution most monitor the quality of

The Quality Improvement nursing process that I have chosen to research is patient safety. I have chosen to focus specifically on the topic of catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI’s) during hospitalization and their preventions. It is estimated that 15-25% of hospitalized patients receive a urinary catheter throughout their stay, whether or not they need it. A large 80% of all patients diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI) can be attributed to a catheter (Bernard, Hunter, and Moore, 2012). The bacteria may gain entry into the bladder during insertion of the catheter, during manipulation of the catheter or drainage system, around the catheter, and after removal.

The physical demands require that a person be physically capable of standing for long periods of time. Nurses often assist in lifting and moving patients and can work up to 12 hour days. They must also have technical abilities because of some of the computerized equipment. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the primary hazard in patient care is blood borne pathogens, such as hepatitis B and HIV. Nurses are exposed to a variety of infectious diseases so they must be very careful and follow the safety guidelines. A typical day includes accessing patient needs, creating treatment plans and evaluating their progress. They must also educate the patient and the families involved.

Nursing profession plays an important role in the overall hospital experience for patients and their families. The Magnet status has a positive impact on nursing through the encouragement and recognition of nurses who provide superior decision making at the bedside using evidence based practice. Nurses are also awarded for advancing their education.