Huntington Hospital Receives Magnet Designation for Nursing Excellence

PASADENA, Calif., March 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Huntington Memorial Hospital announced today it has achieved Magnet designation for excellence in nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).  Only five percent of the nation's hospitals have earned this prestigious designation which recognizes healthcare organizations that demonstrate sustained excellence in nursing.    

"Earning Magnet designation is a testament to the extraordinary nursing care available at Huntington Hospital," said Bonnie Kass, vice president and chief nursing executive.  "This is the highest honor a U.S. hospital can receive for its nursing program and our nurses have worked tirelessly to achieve this accomplishment."  

Stephen A. Ralph, Huntington Hospital president and CEO adds, "It is our patients and community who will benefit most from Huntington becoming a Magnet hospital.  The designation signifies a superior level of care – that must be earned and maintained vigilantly."  

Huntington Hospital is the first hospital in the San Gabriel Valley to be awarded Magnet designation, and one of only three in Los Angeles.

The ANCC honors organizations that demonstrate excellence in nursing practice and adherence to national standards and best practices. A Magnet hospital is one that has met the specific standards set forth by ANCC. These standards define the highest quality of nursing practice and patient care. The standards must be demonstrated in an extensive written document that is divided into four volumes and can reach a length of up to 3,000 pages.  A site visit takes place after the documents are reviewed so examiners may clarify, amplify and verify the document through extensive onsite interviews and unit tours.  

Huntington Hospital was notified of Magnet recognition on March 21, approximately three months after the ANCC site visit.  The news was delivered to Lulu Rosales, RN, MSN, director of professional practice/Magnet project, who was recruited by Huntington specifically to lead the cause, and Bonnie Kass, in an auditorium full of anxious Huntington Hospital employees.  "I was thrilled to learn we were awarded Magnet designation," said Rosales.  "So many Huntington Hospital employees supported our nurses and played an important part in realizing this honor."  

Research shows there are clear benefits to hospitals that are awarded Magnet status and to the communities they serve including consumer confidence, recruitment and retention and maintaining positive patient outcomes.  The designation is awarded for four years, during which time the ANCC monitors facilities to ensure high standards of care remain intact.  

Huntington Hospital is a 635-bed not-for-profit hospital that is home to the only trauma center in the San Gabriel Valley.  Renowned for its programs in neurosciences, cardiovascular services and cancer care, Huntington is an active teaching hospital with Graduate Medical Education programs in internal medicine and general surgery.  The hospital has a regional neonatal intensive care unit, treating babies with the highest acuity.  For over 119 years, Huntington has been committed to serving its community with excellence, compassion and respect.  Consistent with its mission, Huntington provides millions of dollars in charity care and benefits for vulnerable populations, health research, education and training and supports programs that may otherwise be absent from the community, including geriatric psychiatric services, children's asthma management and diabetes workshops in English and Spanish.

For more information about Huntington Hospital's Magnet designation, contact public relations at (626) 397-5464.

SOURCE Huntington Memorial Hospital