Nurses play a critical role in patients’ and families’ experience at a hospital. They’re the primary source of care and support during some of the most vulnerable times in a person's life.
At Temple, we are proud to have earned Magnet® status – the highest honor a health care organization can receive for nursing excellence. Only about 8% of U.S. hospitals have earned it.
Magnet status is certainly a great source of pride for us here at Temple, but what does it mean for our patients? Let me explain.
Better Patient Outcomes in Hospitals With Magnet Designation
One study found that nurses at Magnet hospitals are more engaged in their work, which correlates directly to better patient outcomes. The study estimated that Magnet hospitals, on average, experience more than 7% fewer safety-related accidents than the industry norm.
Other studies have shown even greater gains. The collaborative environments at Magnet hospitals often result in fewer complications, lower death rates, and shorter hospital stays.
Nurses at Magnet hospitals also often spend more time at their patients’ bedsides and provide more one-on-one care. That type of personal attention plays a big part in aiding recovery.
Our Nurses Think Outside of the Box
Pursuing Magnet status is an incredible undertaking. But it’s one that Temple University Hospital welcomed because it gave us an opportunity to inspire our nurses, better develop our nursing practices, improve our outcomes and satisfaction levels, and perhaps most importantly, innovate.
We’re in the midst of a national nursing and physician shortage, both of which are expected to intensify as Baby Boomers age and the need for health care grows. So, it’s become critical that we search for new ways to be even more effective. Working toward Magnet status encouraged us to think creatively and push ourselves beyond national benchmarks.
Happy Nurses = Happy Patients
To achieve Magnet status, we had to monitor the health and happiness of our own staff, our nurses especially. Continuing to empower and support them is what makes so much of this possible.
And it really is a trickle-down effect that ultimately benefits our patients. When nurses feel confident and satisfied in their work, they’re more engaged with their patients and their care. I noted some of that evidence here, and I could go on. But all you need to know is that our Magnet status represents a commitment to the highest-quality care.
