Houston VA Achieves Magnet® Recognition
Recognition for the fifth time reinforces commitment to world-class care for Veterans.
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center recently attained it’s fifth consecutive Magnet recognition for nursing excellence…a testament to its continued dedication to high-quality nursing practice. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes health care organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. This credential is the highest national honor for professional nursing practice.
“Magnet recognition is a tremendous honor and reflects our commitment to delivering the highest quality of care to our Veterans,” said Kelly Irving, Associate Director for Patient Care Services. “To earn Magnet recognition once was a great accomplishment and an incredible source of pride for our nurses and for all our staff. 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 health care needs of the men and women who served our country.”
Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to health care 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.
- Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions.
To achieve initial Magnet recognition, Houston VA passed a rigorous and lengthy process that demanded widespread participation from leadership and staff throughout the hospital. Health care organizations must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet concepts and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality.
“Magnet recognition is an illustration of the teamwork and commitment to our patients at the Houston VA,” Irving said. “This kind of recognition raises the bar for patient care and inspires our team to achieve excellence every day.”
Dr. Mark Kobelja, Houston VA Chief of Staff agrees. “Our commitment to providing Veterans with world class care is what helped us become a Magnet-recognized organization, and it’s why we continue to pursue and maintain Magnet recognition,” he said. “We take great pride in the fact that we are continually evolving and improving to ensure that our Veterans receive the best care anywhere….they deserve nothing less.”
About ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program
The Magnet Recognition Program — administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the largest and most prominent nurses credentialing organization in the world — identifies health care organizations that provide the very best in nursing care and professionalism in nursing practice.
The Magnet Recognition Program serves as the gold standard for nursing excellence and provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark for measuring quality of care. For more information about the Magnet Recognition Program and current statistics, visit www.nursingworld.org/magnet.