February 29, 2008

Magnet site visit completed

The MGH Department of Nursing recently underwent a comprehensive review by an external organization, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to assess how the hospital meets standards of practice and professional performance. The department, along with the entire MGH community, welcomed five ANCC appraisers for an intensive, three-day site visit to confirm the integral role nurses have in care delivery. During the exit interview, the appraisers noted that they had witnessed firsthand the hospital's high level of commitment to quality care, patient safety and interdisciplinary teamwork.

Appraisers will submit their final report to the ANCC's Commission on Magnet Recognition, which will review the MGH's report and decide on the hospital's re-designation as a Magnet hospital, an honor developed by the ANCC to recognize nursing excellence. The MGH can expect to hear the results of the evaluation in the coming months.

"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Patient Care Services staff and the entire MGH community for their support throughout our review for Magnet redesignation," says Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, FAAN, senior vice president of Patient Care and chief nurse. "This has been a tremendous hospitalwide effort from the outset. Although Magnet designation is described as a measure of nursing excellence, in reality, it acknowledges our collective work — our interdisciplinary, patient- and family-centered practice."