Munson Medical Center remains magnet hospital

For the second time, Munson Medical Center has been designated as a magnet hospital for nursing excellence. The first designation came in 2006, from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

This most recent renewal of the designation began in 2010 with an application process, that culminated in an on-site visit this summer by center surveyors who determined whether Munson still met the ideals of the Magnet Recognition Award for Nursing Excellence. They decided the hospital did, and the second award was received recently.

"This is a very important recognition. We are extremely pleased, proud, and happy for our staff," says Kathleen McManus, executive VP and chief operating officer for Munson Medical Center. "This reinforces the exceptional care, and the exceptional people we have at Munson."

Munson is one of 391 hospitals in the world to receive the award, and one of only two in Michigan. Each award gives the hospital magnet status for four years, during which it must maintain the criteria set in the award.

The program identifies excellence in the delivery of nursing services to patients and residents, and also promotes quality care in a setting that supports professional nursing practice. Another goal is to disseminate best practices in nursing.

That means hospitals with the magnet award have the highest patient care quality and patient satisfaction, as well as lower vacancy and turnover rates for nursing positions, and high levels of job satisfaction among the nursing staff.
 
"Our patient care is at a high level and it feels great to have that revalidated," says Jim Fischer, VP of patient care services and chief nursing officer. "Not every magnet hospital who applies for redesignation attains it, so this is a real credit to the quality of care that occurs here every day."

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Kathleen McManus, Munson Medical Center