VCU news

By Carrie Carroll

Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center has been recognized as a Magnet®-designated hospital for the third time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center after demonstrating excellence in patient care in four areas of focus throughout the hospital.

Representatives from nursing, medical staff, hospital administration and members of VCU Health received notification of the re-designation from the ANCC, the nation’s largest and leading nursing credentialing organization within the American Nurses Association, on Jan. 21. VCU Medical Center first earned the designation in 2006 and again in 2011.

“To be recognized as a Magnet® hospital three times in a row, particularly since the standards have become increasingly more challenging, means that the bar is rising, our performance is improving and we are continuing to look at how we can better serve our community, our team and most of all our patients,” said Deborah Zimmermann, chief nursing officer and vice president of patient care services at VCU Health.

“The Magnet® Commission specifically recognized the comprehensive approach in the prevention of unique pathogens, the expertise and innovation in the prevention of hospital-acquired conditions, the organizational dedication to education and the ability to drive improvements in clinical outcomes because of an empowered team,” she said.

Magnet® designation recognizes excellence in 45 rigorous standards that touch all aspects of nursing, from professional practice, organizational planning, leadership, innovation, patient outcomes and nursing research. The VCU Medical Center received a score of excellent in all of these standards.

“Everyone benefits from what you are doing,” said John Duval, vice president for clinical services and chief executive officer, VCU Hospitals, VCU Health System, to a packed auditorium of VCU Health employees.

The hundreds of thousands of lives we touch every year benefit from the good work that you do.

“The hundreds of thousands of lives we touch every year benefit from the good work that you do. I cannot adequately convey just how proud I am of being your partner and working shoulder-to-shoulder with you as we do the important work of this great medical center,” Duval said.

The Magnet® recognition program was developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center to recognize health care organizations that provide organizational excellence. The program also provides a vehicle for disseminating successful nursing practices and strategies.