Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center has earned redesignation as a Magnet Recognition Program® by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This is the third time the hospital has garnered this prestigious distinction.
Memorial Hermann Memorial City first earned Magnet recognition in 2009 and is one of only 51 hospitals to do so in Texas. In addition, Memorial Hermann Memorial City was recognized for achieving four exemplars - components of the Magnet model where the hospital exceeded Magnet expectations - a very noteworthy distinction. Also, the hospital was the first in west Houston to obtain Magnet recognition for excellence in nursing.
The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes healthcare organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovation in professional nursing practice. Magnet recognition is the highest possible organizational credential granted by the ANCC, the largest and most prominent nursing credentialing organization in the United States. Hospitals must excel in several areas, including nursing standards and practices, patient care, and innovations in nursing leadership and management to earn Magnet status.
“We’re a better organization today because of the Magnet recognition we first achieved 11 years ago. Magnet recognition raised the bar for patient care and inspired every member of our team to achieve excellence every day,” said Mary Poe, Chief Nursing Officer at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center. “It is this commitment to providing our community with high-quality care that helped us become a Magnet-recognized organization, and it’s why we continue to pursue and maintain Magnet recognition.”
Before a hospital is selected for Magnet recognition, the ANCC completes a rigorous evaluation process that includes on-site visits, reviews of written documentation, staff and patient satisfaction surveys and interviews. Initial Magnet recognition is valid for four years and, during that time, hospitals and nursing staff are closely monitored, evaluated, and surveyed to ensure they remain in compliance with the program's high standards. At the end of the four-year period, hospitals must re-apply and again undergo the challenging evaluation process.
Studies have demonstrated that Magnet-recognized hospitals typically provide a higher quality of patient care, including lower mortality rates and better patient satisfaction. Magnet hospitals also experience lower turnover and lower rates of burnout among nursing staff. The recognition is also directly linked to a hospital's ability to attract and retain qualified, highly educated nursing staff.
Memorial Hermann Memorial City is one of five Magnet hospitals within the Memorial Hermann Health System. The other four are Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital and Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital.