Emory Johns Creek Hospital has received its second Magnet designation for its continued commitment to nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program. Additionally, the hospital was designated Magnet with Distinction, a recognition of the highest-performing Magnet organizations around the world.

Emory Johns Creek Hospital is one of eight Magnet facilities within Emory Healthcare, and one of 14 in Georgia. Less than 10% of U.S. health care organizations have achieved Magnet recognition.

“Receiving our second designation from the Magnet Commission — along with Magnet with Distinction — is a huge, phenomenal feat for our nurses, interdisciplinary team and the entire hospital,” says Heather Redrick, BSN, RN, chief nursing officer and chief operating officer at Emory Johns Creek Hospital. “Our patients who come into Emory Johns Creek Hospital should know that when they walk through our doors, that our nurses are top in the nation; that our hospital, our quality of care, the excellent service that we provide, is top in the in the nation, and that they are getting world class care right here in their community.”

During a virtual call with an ANCC representative, Emory Johns Creek Hospital was commended for its quality patient care through innovations in professional nursing practice, including recognition of 13 exemplars, or standards of excellence. Some of the items recognized include:

• achieved 80% or greater number of registered nurses who have earned a baccalaureate or higher degrees in nursing
• outperformed the benchmark for registered nurse satisfaction/engagement on 81% of its inpatient units
• outperformed the benchmark on fall prevention, hospital-acquired pressure injuries and central line infections on 100% of its inpatient units
• outperformed the benchmark on patient experience for care coordination and patient education on 100% of its inpatient units, as well as patient education, courtesy and respect and careful listening in 100% in the outpatient/ambulatory settings

Magnet recognition is a gold standard for nursing excellence and is often a factor when the public evaluates health care organizations. U.S. News & World Report’s annual issue of “America’s Best Hospitals” includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care.

“This Magnet designation means we, as a hospital, are focused on the quality of care we provide to our patients,” says Sara Patrick, DPN, MSN, RN, director of the Magnet program and nursing clinical excellence at Emory Johns Creek Hospital. “Nursing is central to excellent patient outcomes. We are successful because we have strong relationships with our physicians, interprofessional team members and nurse leaders which create the culture where nurses can deliver that excellence of care, leading to us having better patient outcomes.”

Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities, such as:

• higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information
• lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rates
• higher job satisfaction among nurses
• lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions

“Emory Johns Creek Hospital consistently demonstrates excellence in nursing professional practice, and we are so proud of this second Magnet designation — and Magnet with Distinction for this team,” says Sharon Pappas, PhD, RN, chief nurse executive for Emory Healthcare. “They have followed the Magnet model for nurses to succeed in the workplace — from decision making to practicing with professionalism and autonomy to advancing nursing science — creating an excellent environment for nurses to grow and thrive. When we follow what Magnet prescribes, it makes care better for patients because of this foundation for nurses.”

To achieve Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that encourages widespread participation from leadership and staff in demonstrating how Magnet program standards are met. This process includes an electronic application, written documentation, an on-site visit and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition.

Health care organizations must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet concepts and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality.

About ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program

The Magnet Recognition Program — administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the largest and most prominent nurses credentialing organization in the world — identifies health care organizations that provide the very best in nursing care and professionalism in nursing practice.

The Magnet Recognition Program is the highest national honor for nursing excellence and provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark for measuring quality of care. For more information about the Magnet Recognition Program and current statistics, visit nursingworld.org/magnet.