Texas Children's Hospital recognized for nursing excellence with Magnet® designation

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Aug 13, 2012, 06:30 ET

Hospital is one of only 7 percent of U.S. healthcare organizations recognized for nursing excellence

HOUSTON, Aug. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Texas Children's Hospital for the third consecutive time has been granted Magnet® status, a national designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which recognizes healthcare organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. First recognized in 2003 and again in 2007, Texas Children's is one of only six freestanding children's hospitals in the nation to earn Magnet status and is one of fewer than 7 percent of United States healthcare organizations to hold this designation.

The Magnet Recognition Program® has become the gold standard for nursing excellence. It is achieved through a rigorous application and review process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff and includes a site visit by Magnet appraisers. Hospitals must reapply for Magnet status every four years.

"Magnet recognition is the most elite credential in nursing, and we are honored to hold this status for nearly a decade now," said Lori Armstrong, MSN, RN, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Texas Children's Hospital. "This designation reflects our dedication to supporting our nursing staff with the resources and tools they need to deliver the highest level of care to our patients and their families and to continuously demonstrate leadership in initiatives that improve patient outcomes."

Among the attributes held by Magnet organizations are that they employ the most highly trained and qualified nurses and excel in both recruiting and retaining nursing professionals. Armstrong notes that among the hospital's strengths is a nursing culture that reflects a strong commitment to delivering family-centered care, working in full partnership with physician colleagues and being committed to innovation and process improvements to achieve the best possible outcomes.

"There is in inseparable link between outcomes and nursing care," said Armstrong. "We invest in nursing so that our nurses feel empowered to practice at their full potential, driven by a commitment to excellence."

Studies show that patient outcomes are better at Magnet recognized hospitals. Among the 2,100 nurses at Texas Children's Hospital and Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, nearly 12 percent are dedicated to newborn care. A recent study of more than 72,000 very low-birth-weight infants published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that babies had better outcomes when they were born in hospitals that have earned Magnet status.

"Our nurses feel an incredible sense of pride that we have once again been recognized as a Magnet hospital because it reflects their passion for our mission to deliver the best care to every patient treated at Texas Children's, and we thank our nurses for the outstanding work they do each and every day," said Armstrong.

About Texas Children's Hospital

Texas Children's Hospital, a not-for-profit organization, is committed to creating a community of healthy children through excellence in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked among the top children's hospitals in the nation, Texas Children's has recognized Centers of Excellence in multiple pediatric subspecialties including the Cancer and Heart Centers, and operates the largest primary pediatric care network in the country. Texas Children's has completed a $1.5 billion expansion, which includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; and Texas Children's Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston. For more information on Texas Children's, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news from Texas Children's by visiting the online newsroom and on Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.

CONTACT: Texas Children's Hospital, Veronika Javor Romeis, +1-832-824-2157, [email protected]

SOURCE Texas Children's Hospital