Lahey Clinic Earns MagnetŪ Recognition

On August 17, 2009, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) honored Lahey Clinic with MagnetŪ recognition for excellence in nursing care. Lahey is one of only six hospitals in Massachusetts to achieve Magnet status.

More than 100 nurses and staff gathered to listen in as Gail Wolf, DSN, RN, FAAN, from the Magnet Recognition ProgramŪ called to give the good news to Kathleen S. Jose, MSN, RN, chief nursing officer at Lahey. "You're in the 5 percent club," she said, indicating that only about 5 percent of hospitals have earned Magnet status.

The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes health care organizations that are dedicated to nursing excellence, professionalism and patient-focused care. Administered by the ANCC, the program grew out of research conducted in the early 1980s by the American Academy of Nursing's Task Force on Nursing Practice in Hospitals. The task force identified characteristics of certain hospitals that were able to attract and retain (like a magnet) committed, skilled nurses.

Jose said the achievement is a "testament to our outstanding nurses and colleagues who contribute each day to the extraordinary patient care that we deliver. We are thrilled to be recognized as a Magnet hospital."

According to the ANCC, the Magnet program focuses on promoting quality in a setting that supports professional practice; identifying excellence in the delivery of nursing services to patients; and disseminating best practices in nursing services. Research has shown that patients have more confidence in the overall quality of a hospital if it has achieved the level of excellence established by the Magnet Program.

Lahey achieved this distinction after a rigorous, multiyear application process that included submission of a 2,200-page supporting document and a four-day visit by appraisers from ANCC. The appraisers visited Lahey's medical centers in Burlington and Peabody, and invited comments from nurses, administrators, patients and staff.

Under Jose's direction, Lahey's Nursing Department has expanded research and educational opportunities for nurses, instituted a model of shared governance for Nursing, and encouraged nurses to enhance their practice by pursuing specialty certifications.

Lahey Clinic employs more than 1500 registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists and certified nurse specialists.

What It Means to Patients

Research has shown that Magnet hospitals have

• Higher patient satisfaction
• Improved patient outcomes
• Interdisciplinary patient and family centered care

Read more about Magnet on the ANCC Web site.

Magnet Recognition and the Magnet logo are registered trademarks of the American Nurses Credentialing Center.