Mercy Medical Center's Nursing Excellence Once Again Honored with Prestigious Magnet Recognition

At approximately 12 noon on Wednesday, May 18th, 2016, Mercy Medical Center nurses and executive staff received word that the 142-year-old Catholic hospital had re-earned the coveted “Magnet®” recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center®. Mercy is among the less than seven percent of all hospitals in the U.S. to have Magnet-certified programs.

The Magnet Recognition Program® recognizes the top health care organizations in the nation for providing nursing excellence. Mercy first earned the Magnet credential in 2011 when it first joined a select group of about 400 of nearly 6,000 U.S. healthcare organizations.

“This achievement once again ranks our hospital among a select group in the Mid-Atlantic region and reflects years of dedication and hard work,” said Thomas R.Mullen, President and CEO, Mercy Health Services, Mercy Medical Center. “Mercy continues to show its commitment to nursing excellence and to make strides as a leader in quality health care.”

Magnet recognition has become the gold standard for nursing excellence and is taken into consideration when the public judges healthcare organizations. In fact, U.S. News & World Report’s annual showcase of “America’s Best Hospitals” – which has noted Mercy among the nation’s finest -- includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care.

“There are 750 nurses serving patients in 22 units at Mercy, and every nurse is dedicated to delivering innovative and compassionate care. To earn Magnet status once again reflects our staff’s commitment to our patients, their families and to the communities they serve,” said Kim Bushnell, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services.

The process for achieving Magnet status includes a rigorous evaluation of nursing policies, practices and procedures to ensure they are consistent with national benchmark standards. In addition, the process includes a three day site visit from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The Magnet surveyors interview patients, hospital staff and community partners to assess the quality of nursing care delivered by Mercy nurses.  

“Since the hospital’s founding by the Sisters of Mercy in 1874, nursing excellence has remained fundamental to our mission. I am so very pleased to see our nurses recognized for their clinical skill, compassion at the bedside and the spirit of mercy they share with patients and their families every day,” said Sr. Helen Amos, RSM, Executive Chair, Mercy Board of Trustees.