ERIE, Pa., March 21, 2016 – UPMC Hamot has received Magnet designation for excellence in nursing, granted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®. Only seven percent of hospitals nationwide have been granted Magnet status, one of the highest achievements an organization can obtain in professional nursing. UPMC Hamot is the first hospital in Pennsylvania’s northern tier to receive what is widely accepted as the gold standard in nursing excellence.

 

“Achieving status as a Magnet-recognized institution demonstrates the teamwork and dedication of our entire hospital staff,” said Jim Donnelly, R.N., B.S.N., M.B.A., chief nursing officer and vice president of patient care services, UPMC Hamot. “We are very proud of UPMC Hamot for achieving this difficult-to-obtain designation and meeting nearly 80 standards of excellence, which indicates our commitment to consistently provide the highest quality care for our patients.”

 

Candidates must undergo a rigorous and lengthy application and evaluation process that includes extensive interviews and review of all aspects of nursing services. Hospitals must clearly establish a commitment to excellence on all levels of interprofessional nursing practice and adhere to national standards for organization and delivery of nursing services.

 

Hospitals that have achieved Magnet status are recognized for building and supporting a continuous culture of transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary evidence-based practice, advanced training and new knowledge application and innovations— all with measurable outcomes proving quality patient care. The designation is valid for four years, during which time the ANCC monitors the hospital to ensure that high patient-care standards remain intact. The ANCC is the largest and most prominent nursing credentialing organization in the United States.

 

Other hospitals in the UPMC system that have received Magnet recognition include UPMC St. Margaret, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, and UPMC Shadyside.