(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Magnet® recognition: it’s one of the highest honors a hospital can receive - and Alegent Health Mercy Hospital has now done it twice. The American Nurses Credentialing Center has once again bestowed Magnet status to Mercy Hospital for excellence in nursing services.
“This recognition is a tribute to all of the nurses, physicians and employees who work every day to fulfill the mission and values of Alegent Health for the communities we serve,” said Marie Knedler, Alegent Health vice president and chief operating officer at Mercy Hospital. “To earn Magnet status once is a tremendous accomplishment and a great source of pride for our nurses.”
Mercy Hospital first earned Magnet status in 2005. It was the first Alegent Health hospital to be honored by the Magnet Recognition Program, followed by Alegent Health Lakeside Hospital in 2008 – and has remained western Iowa’s only Magnet-designated facility.
“To retain Magnet status for another four years underscores the commitment of our entire staff to continually strive to provide high quality care for the mind, body and spirit of every person,” said Knedler.
According to the ANCC, the leading nursing credentialing organization in the United States, Magnet designation is the gold standard of patient care. The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes excellence and professionalism in nursing. To reapply for and receive Magnet status for an additional four years is confirmation of the hospital’s resolve to deliver the highest level of care in nursing today.
“There are only six percent of the hospitals in the country that achieve Magnet recognition and just three percent that are re-designated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center,” said Connie Blietz, chief nurse executive for Mercy Hospital. “This achievement is a validation of the quality of care provided by the staff at Mercy Hospital and we will continue our ongoing efforts to strive for a higher level of excellence for our patients.”
Benefits of a Magnet hospital:
Patients can rest easy knowing the hospital’s overall quality has achieved the level of excellence established by the Magnet Recognition Program.
Magnet-designated facilities consistently outperform other health care systems in recruiting and retaining nurses resulting in increased stability in patient care and patient satisfaction.
Because quality clinical care is one of the most important factors in enlisting world-class physicians and specialists, Magnet status becomes an attractive force that extends to the entire facility.
Research shows that Magnet hospitals are more effective at attracting and keeping quality nurses.
About Alegent Health
Alegent Health is the largest not-for-profit, faith-based healthcare system in Nebraska and southwestern Iowa with 10 hospitals, more than 100 sites of service, over 1,300 physicians on its medical staff and 9,000 employees. Alegent Health is ranked first in the country in quality and patient satisfaction according to the Network for Regional healthcare Improvement (NRHI). That exceptional commitment to providing patient focused care for the body, mind and spirit of every person keeps Alegent Health faithful to its Mission, which was inspired by its sponsors, Catholic Health Initiatives and Immanuel Health Systems. At Alegent Health, patients and their families find a continuum of care, from women's and children's services, primary care, wellness counseling, and senior care to cardiovascular services, orthopaedics, oncology, physical rehabilitation and behavioral health. Alegent Health is online at www.alegent.com.
I received excellent care during my stay at Mercy hospital. I had to have emergency Gallbladder Surgery. Being from Indiana it was quite nice to receive such spectacular care so far from home. Everyone there was helpful and informative. I would like to send a special thank you to my nurses Veronica, Candice, Amelia, Allen and also to Dr. Tieszen.
