Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center achieves Magnet® Designation for the second time – but what does that mean for patients?
Most people know that a magnet attracts metal. But did you know that only 8% of hospitals in the nation have earned Magnet® status? That is an earned designation, called “Magnet” because of the ability to attract and retain professional nurses.
The Magnet® designation was developed to recognize healthcare organizations that provide the very best in nursing care. Magnet status is recognition of hospitals that exhibit exemplary patient outcomes and satisfaction, have impressive nurse-patient ratios, and attract and retain the best staff from all disciplines. At its core, reaching this level of designation proves that nursing is about great care.
Donna Wilmoth, Chief Nursing Officer at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, explains that the Magnet Recognition Program provides the ultimate benchmark for patients and their families to measure the quality of care they can expect from a hospital.
“Nurses play an important role in the overall hospital experience for patients and their families,” Wilmoth says. “They are the primary source of care and support during some of the most vulnerable times in a person’s life. At Magnet-designated hospitals, nurses are experienced and attentive, and spend more time providing compassionate care.”
A Magnet-designated hospital, like Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) after demonstrating excellence in patient care in more than 35 focus areas throughout the entire hospital. Achieving this designation is the result of several years of preparation and long-standing commitments to excellence in nursing and patient care.
“What attracted me to working here was the high standards for patient care, but also the teamwork that goes into making that happen, as well as the leadership it takes to elevate and innovate – sometimes that takes a lot of effort to do. I want to work with people who are willing to go the extra mile to promote the very best outcomes for our patients,” said Sharon Bunn, Nurse Manager at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center.
While Magnet Recognition Program is a benchmark for nursing excellence, exceptional patient care isn’t just about nursing – it’s the responsibility and pride of every staff member at Sentara. Whether someone is part of our administrative team or billing department, the pharmacy or laboratory, each person contributes to the “magnetism” of our organization.
“We’re eager to continuously move forward, embrace change, and always improve. Our overall mission at Sentara is to improve health every day, and every member of the team lives this mission daily,” said Wilmoth.
For more information about Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center’s awards and accolades click here.
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