For the second time, Mary Greeley Medical Center has earned recognition as the industry’s gold standard in nursing.
The honor, known as Magnet, is the highest award given by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Mary Greeley first received the Magnet award in 2019. The Ames facility is the only hospital in central Iowa to be recognized twice and one of four in the state.
“We were incredibly honored when we received Magnet the first time,” Amber Deardorff, vice president and chief nursing officer, said in a news release. “To receive the recognition a second consecutive time and to be recognized in seven areas of excellence shows the consistency of our nursing quality, as well as our commitment to continually improving our patient care.”
Magnet’s seven areas of excellence are known as “exemplars. Mary Greeley exceeded the national average in each category.
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Magnet reflects positive outcomes for patients, job satisfaction for nurses
ANCC developed the Magnet Recognition Program “to recognize healthcare organizations that promote nursing excellence.”
Hospitals that have received Magnet recognition have “lower rates of negative patient outcomes, and higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help, and discharge information,” according to the release.
Magnet recognition has a positive effect on nurses as well, who tend to have higher levels of job satisfaction and are less likely to seek employment elsewhere.
More than half of the roughly 650 nurses on staff at Mary Greeley have earned their Bachelor of Science in nursing.
“Studies have shown that organizations with high percentages of BSN-prepared RNs (registered nurses) have better patient outcomes,” the release said
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The process to earn Magnet recognition is rigorous, involving an application and review process. Magnet appraisers also conduct a site visit and scrutinize quality, patient care practices, and performance outcomes.
Magnet also measures how well an organization involves nurses in leadership and decision-making and whether the nursing staff has the tools and training they need for constant improvement and innovation.
Ames Tribune reporter Ronna Faaborg can be reached at rlawless@gannett.com.
Read More: Excellence in nursing care earns Mary Greeley prestigious Magnet award