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| Celebrating the good news. |
The Foundation Room of University Hospital was filled with emotions of anticipation, excitement and even fear, as employees waited eagerly for the phone call that would change University Health System history. Hundreds of other staff members, who couldn’t be in the Foundation Room for the call, watched it live on their computers via webcast.
The minutes seemed like hours as University Health System team members waited for the phone to ring. But, when the clock hit 11:30 a.m., the silence in the room was almost unbelievable, as Nancy Ray, our Chief Nursing Officer, picked up the phone, with speakers turned up, to talk to Gail A. Wolf, DSN, RN, FAAN, Chair of the Commission on Magnet® Recognition. As soon as Dr. Gail said, “Congratulations, you are have earned Magnet status,” the cheers, tears and clapping sounds of staff echoed throughout the hospital. Becoming a Magnet designated organization validated all the hard work of hundreds of employees who believe and practice quality care every single day! The five year journey was well worth it.
Dr. Wolf told staff that the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) in Washington, DC, made a unanimous decision to grant University Health System Magnet designation.
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| Just after the phone call. |
Our health system is the first and only healthcare organization in San Antonio and South Texas to earn Magnet status. Only six percent of the hospitals and healthcare systems nationwide have earned this designation. UHS President/CEO George B. Hernández, Jr. said, “Today is one of the proudest moments in UHS history. Congratulations!”
Through a complex application and review process, including an intensive three-day onsite survey, UHS successfully demonstrated its commitment to providing excellent care for all patients, sustaining nursing excellence and transforming the culture of a work environment. The recognition is a reflection of the support the nursing staff receives in order to fulfill the health system’s mission. It is referred to as the “gold standard” in measuring the quality of care that healthcare consumers can expect.
“We are so pleased and proud,” said Nancy Ray. “Magnet is a journey; a process and a structure to assure the best outcomes are achieved for all patients.”
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| A hug of celebration. |
Just as magnets attract metals, Magnet hospitals and health systems attract the best nurses and health professionals. They also offer patients reassurance they are being cared for by a team with a proven track record for providing excellent care and positive outcomes for their patients. The health system, owned by the taxpayers of Bexar County, which serves as our region’s lead Level 1 trauma center and academic medical center, is now among a very elite group of healthcare institutions.
The Magnet Recognition Program was created in 1983 by the ANCC, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association and the world’s largest and most prestigious nurse credentialing organization.
Click here to see how we shared the great news with our community.
February 17th, 2010 marked the very special day for UHS as they were informed of their Magnet designation via conference call between the Magnet appraisers and UHS nurses, Magnet Support Staff, and Senior Level Administrators. Celebration since then has filled the air at University Hospital!