Hackensack University Medical Center Achieves Magnet Designation 7 Consecutive Times

On Feb 20, 2024

Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) has announced that Hackensack University Medical Center is the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to achieve Magnet^® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for the seventh consecutive time. The Magnet^® Recognition Program^® is recognized as the gold standard of nursing excellence, with just 9.4% of hospitals in the United States receiving this designation.

“For nearly 30 years, HMH hospitals have been recognized for nursing excellence and transforming the way care is delivered,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, HMH CEO. “This designation is a testament to our world-class nursing team who provides high-quality, compassionate care each day.”

The ANCC Magnet^® Recognition Program^® distinguishes healthcare organizations that meet arduous standards for nursing excellence. The program focuses on advancing three goals within each Magnet^® organization: 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.

“Our latest Magnet redesignation reflects the outstanding nursing care at Hackensack University Medical Center and is a direct result of our nursing and leadership team working together with a focused commitment on providing the very best care for our patients,” said Mark D. Sparta, FACHE, president and chief hospital executive, Hackensack University Medical Center, and president, Northern Region, HMH.

“As we pursued this redesignation, our Chief Nursing Officer Ramonita Jimenez — along with our Magnet Steering Committee — have provided our outstanding nursing team with thoughtful, caring and visionary leadership and created a roadmap to advancing the standard of nursing care.”

“This recognition underscores HMH’s commitment to maintaining a culture of excellence,” said Regina Foley, Ph.D., MBA, RN, executive vice president, chief nursing executive and chief clinical transformation & integration officer of H. “Our incredible nursing team enhances the patient experience while improving outcomes, and we look forward to continuing to provide the excellent care our patients deserve.”

Research demonstrates that Magnet^® recognition provides specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities. This includes:

• 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

“Participating in the Magnet recognition process requires us to continually listen to feedback from our nursing team and our patients and look at our outcomes to evaluate our strengths, weaknesses, and performance,” said Ramonita Jiménez, DNP, MPA, RN, NEA-BC, vice president and chief nursing officer, Department of Patient Care, Hackensack University Medical Center. “Our nurses are outstanding at what they do, and our Magnet redesignation shows our community that we are committed to making all of our patients feel welcome, cared for and safe.”

To achieve Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and team members. This process includes an electronic application, a written document, a virtual or on-site visit, and a review by the Commission on Magnet^® Recognition. Health care organizations 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 team members sustained and improved Magnet^® concepts, performance and quality over the four-year period since the organization received its most recent recognition.

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