Magnet recognition is accorded to hospitals that meet a set of standards established by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The specified standards define the highest possible quality of patient care and nursing practice. The standards are demonstrated in an-in depth written document and ascertained during a site visit. Delnor hospital, a non-academic facility in Illinois received its magnet status in 2004 and its magnet-redesignation in 2008. It is an acute care facility that provides comprehensive health services. It has a capacity of 159-beds. Its stated mission is to provide high quality health care and promote wellness in the community it serves. The reasons why it was awarded the magnet status will be evaluated below.
The hospital was awarded magnet recognition because it has created an environment that is supportive of nursing practice and which focuses on professional autonomy, nurses involvement in the determination of the nursing working environment, bedside decision making, career development, professional education, and nursing leadership. This has been achieved through the participation and support of all departments and employees in the hospital. It has also been achieved through increased emphasis and prioritization of the needs of patients. The hospital, like other hospitals that have received the magnet status, also has improved nurse to patient ratios than hospitals not designated as magnet hospitals. These ratios are reflected in better patient care, patient outcomes, low complication rates, and higher patient satisfaction. Nurses in the hospital report high levels of satisfaction and the rate of nursing staff turnover is low as compared to non-magnet hospitals.
In conclusion, Delnor hospital is one of the few hospitals that have received magnet recognition and magnet-redesignation. The hospital met and demonstrated continued sustenance of the magnet recognition standards established by ANCC.
References
Delnor Hospital (2013). Delnor hospital. Retrieved from http://www.delnor.com/FAQsMagnetDesignationFrequentlyAskedQuestions
