Bayhealth earns Magnet recognition for second consecutive term

Bayhealth attained Magnet recognition for the second consecutive time, a testament to its continued dedication to high-quality nursing practice.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program distinguishes healthcare organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. This credential is the highest national honor for professional nursing practice.

Receiving Magnet recognition for the second time is a great achievement for Bayhealth as it continues to proudly belong to the global community of Magnet-recognized organizations. Just 8 percent of U.S. hospitals have achieved Magnet recognition, while Delaware has three Magnet-designated organizations: Bayhealth, Christiana Care Health System and Nemours Children’s Health System.

“Magnet recognition is a tremendous honor and reflects our commitment to delivering the highest quality of care to this community,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive Brenda Blain, DNP, RN-BC, FACHE, NEA-BC. “To earn Magnet recognition once was a great accomplishment and an incredible source of pride for our nurses. Our repeated achievement of this credential underscores the foundation of excellence and values that drive our entire staff to strive harder each day to meet the healthcare needs of the people we serve.”

Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to healthcare 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; and lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions.

Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence, and it is a factor when the public judges healthcare organizations. U.S. News & World Report’s annual showcase of America’s Best Hospitals includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care.

The Magnet Model provides a framework for nursing practice, research and measurement of outcomes. Through this framework, the credentialing center evaluates applicants across a number of components and dimensions to gauge an organization’s nursing excellence.

The foundation of this model comprises various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include quality of nursing leadership, and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.

To achieve initial Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. This process includes an electronic application, written patient care documentation, an on-site visit, and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition.

Healthcare organizations must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet concepts, and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality. An organization reapplying for Magnet recognition must provide documented evidence to demonstrate how staff members sustained and improved Magnet concepts, performance and quality over the four-year period since the organization received its initial recognition.

“I’m extremely proud that our team was able to complete the redesignation on-site visit virtually at the height of the COVID-19 crisis,” said Bayhealth President and CEO Terry Murphy. “Our nurses and organization continue to be committed to excellence in patient care and professional nursing practice. It is this commitment that helped us become a Magnet-recognized organization, and it’s why we continue to pursue and maintain Magnet recognition.”