Magnet Status

Looking for Quality Patient Outcomes: The American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet Program Recognizes Excellence in Patient Care

John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital

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John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital, Phoenix, AZ is proud to be recognized as a Magnet Hospital, the first in the central Arizona area.

Magnet Status

 Measures nursing indicators and patient outcomes, thereby recognizing the best of the best nursing services and quality patient care  Provides a competitive edge in the marketplace

Patients Seek Hospitals with Awards and Recognition

 U.S. News & World Report has had phenomenal success with its yearly issue on "America's Best Hospitals," which indicates how interested the health care consumer is in seeking quality institutions for access to the health care system.

 Magnet status makes hospitals more attractive to patients who are searching for an outstanding healthcare facility.

Nursing Shortage

 According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), nurses provide 95 percent of the care a patient receives while hospitalized  According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), more than 126,000 nursing positions are vacant today.

 Beginning in the 1980s, a nationwide shortage of nurses led hospitals began to search for new methods of recruiting qualified nursing staff.

Magnet Evolving

Striving for quality patient care and nursing excellence, the Magnet Recognition Program for Nursing Excellence has reached a coveted level of prestige within the nursing community and among acute-care facilities.

Only 3 percent of America’s hospitals have received Magnet Recognition.

What Magnet Recognition Does

Magnet Recognition for Nursing Excellence not only influences managed care contracts, but also the hospital's reputation, thereby attracting more patients and top-quality personnel – from nurses to administrators.

Magnet Hospitals

 Magnet hospitals have excellent patient outcomes and create a professional, supportive environment for nursing practice  Nurses at Magnet hospitals are more likely to be certified in specialty areas and participate in on-going continuing education

Magnet Evaluator’s Quote

“Having a librarian who supports the nursing staff is critical.

The importance of this support varies with each individual organization. If you are in a hospital where staff nurses don’t have the knowledge base to do research independently, the librarian’s role is even more important.” Barbara Brewer, PhD, Director of Professional Practice at John C. Lincoln Health Network

Know Your Organization

“If you are a librarian in an academic or research institution, you have many Master’s level trained personnel. You will also have PhDs available to support the clinical staff. In a community hospital, chances are you will not have these higher-level educated personnel to support the nursing staff. Then, the librarian’s role becomes even more important.” Barbara Brewer, PhD

A Nurse’s Perspective about Magnet and the Library’s Role

   “ Since John C. Lincoln has received Magnet Recognition, I, personally, have seen a greater consciousness among the staff on providing clinical care that is research-based rather than just doing things the way we always have.

As members of the Education Committee, we are required to insure that our patient discharge document information is from an evidence-based research source. The library plays a vital role in providing the resources and information necessary to obtain this information. Since Magnet, John C. Lincoln has been very supportive to all the nursing staff and me personally in continuing my education in pursuit of my degree in nursing. The library has been a huge support with the research and literature information needed on the many areas of study in the BSN program.” Patty Santa Cruz, RN

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How Does a Medical Librarian Fit into the Magnet Application Process?

Accuracy - Magnet applications are judged for accuracy. A librarian can check the validity of references.  Propriety – The extent to which the application is done legally and ethically, protecting the rights of those involved (copyright)  Best National Practice – As a researcher, your job can be to perform evidence-based research

The Librarian’s Role

 Collect and analyze information about other Magnet-recognized institutions  Perform literature searches about best practices from other organizations – a good bibliography can be a great asset  Locate current resources to support evidence based practice  Promote Magnet status to physicians and influence physicians to “buy into this process”

The Librarian’s Role

 Participate on a “Magnet Steering Committee”  Teach basic searching technique classes to nursing staff, highlighting print and online resources for evidence-based nursing practice Note - The average age of nurses in the U.S. is 45 — don’t assume nurses remember or know how to do academic research .

The Librarian’s Role

 Assist directors in research for best practice articles for journal clubs.

 Compare your library’s nursing journal titles to a reputable recommended list such as Brandon Hill. Add recommended titles.

 Meet and use your hospital’s statistician (PhD) or Director of Professional Practice to help interpret statistics and use him/her as a resource when teaching classes.

The Librarian’s Role

 Provide key nursing personnel with clinical research regarding existing policies, procedures and protocols. These must be evidence-based. Don’t re-invent the wheel.

 Assist in the application of research.

Research must be valued and incorporated into the culture of the nursing unit.

The Librarian’s Role

 Librarians need to work in partnership with clinical leaders. Librarians are the “HOW,” and it is up to the clinical leader to provide the nursing staff with the “WHY” and “WHAT.”  Develop a needs assessment early in the journey to Magnet Recognition.

 Based on the needs assessment, determine what skills and databases need to be covered with the clinical staff.

Conclusion

    Achieving and maintaining Magnet Recognition is a continuous journey.

Librarians play a vital role in this process.

Cherish this opportunity to foster new relationships with key clinical personnel.

Market your skills and what your library can offer the nursing staff so that you will work together to achieve Magnet Recognition.

Good Luck!