The University of Washington Medical Center was recently granted Magnet Recognition Program- status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for its excellence in nursing practice and patient care. This is the fifth consecutive time that UWMC has achieved this status, making it the only hospital in the country to have achieved this historic level of recognition. The Magnet award is the highest level of recognition for hospital nursing awarded by the ANCC.
UWMC was the first hospital in the nation to achieve Magnet- status in 1994. The honor is based on criteria related to key data, including patient outcomes, nurse satisfaction and key leadership objectives. After submitting data, a survey team completes a four-day site appraisal, after which the ANCC Commission on Magnet decides the outcome.
The Magnet program was begun 17 years ago to identify institutions across the nation who provide top quality nursing care for patients. In re-designating UWMC as a Magnet -organization, the ANCC recognizes UWMC as an institution that supports the highest quality of professional nursing practice, exemplifies excellence in leadership and management philosophy, as well as in practices of nursing services, excelling in innovative strategies to improve the quality of patient and family care.
"This historic achievement represents the efforts and commitment to patient care and nursing practice that our nurses and clinicians demonstrate every day. The Magnet- designation recognizes excellence in nursing and we share this award with all our dedicated staff and faculty," said Chief Nursing Office Lorie Wild.
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