ANCC re-designates HUP as Magnet organization

Magnet status recognizes nursing staff's dedication to providing superior patient care

The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) has been accredited for the second time as a Magnet organization - the highest institutional honor granted for nursing excellence - from the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program. Magnet status is one of the highest achievements a hospital can reach in the world of professional nursing. Magnet recognition has become the gold standard for nursing excellence and is bestowed upon less than seven percent of hospitals nationwide. The status reinforces the quality of the hospital's entire faculty and staff, and the commitments made to patient care, improving professional practice, and transforming the culture of a work environment.

"Renewal of our Magnet recognition is a tremendous honor, and something in which our entire staff takes great pride," said Victoria Rich, PhD, RN, FAAN, chief nurse executive, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. "We're committed to delivering the highest standard of nursing excellence to our community, and achieving this status for another four years highlights our dedication to providing supreme patient-centered care."

Being recognized as a Magnet facility for the second time is a great achievement for HUP, which was first designated as a Magnet hospital in 2007 - the only major academic medical center in Pennsylvania to achieve the status at that time. Hospitals must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet concepts and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality.

"The Magnet team worked tirelessly for more than two years to plan for and prepare the necessary documents for our Magnet re-designation application," said Danielle Calabrese, MSN, RN, magnet program director, HUP, who added that achieving Magnet status extends beyond the nursing teams. "We worked with leadership, interdisciplinary partners, and staff at all levels to capture, in great detail, how our hospital has excelled at meeting the Magnet Recognition Program's requirements. Working together across all units is essential for Magnet re-designation and really shows the strength of our entire faculty and staff."

"Our hospital is better today because of what Dr. Rich and her phenomenal team of nurses have done to create and sustain the level of care we deliver to patients every day," said Garry L. Scheib, chief operating officer at the University of Pennsylvania Health System and executive director for HUP. "We're proud to belong to the elite community of Magnet hospitals that are dedicated to providing the best standard of care to patients and the community."

To be re-designated as a Magnet organization, HUP's leadership and staff endured a rigorous and lengthy review process, involving an electronic application and written documentation demonstrating qualitative and quantitative evidence regarding patient care and outcomes. Following approval of the application and documentation, ANCC appraisers conduct an on-site visit to thoroughly assess the applicant. Magnet recognition is granted after this review process, an appraisal report and a vote by the Commission on Magnet.