SVMC Receives Fifth ANCC Magnet Recognition
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BENNINGTON, Vt. — Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), has attained its fifth designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program.
SVMC was the first hospital in Vermont to receive the designation in 2002. This fifth consecutive recognition places SVMC in a community of only three five-time hospitals in New England and only 28 five-time hospitals worldwide.
"The Magnet designation is challenging. It takes sustained commitment throughout every day of our practice and strong and productive relationships with physician colleagues and others in every department within the health system," said Pamela Duchene, chief nursing officer and vice president for Patient Care Services. "We are grateful for our 20-year partnership with Magnet, because it ensures that we are providing care at the highest standard and inspires us to break new ground in pursuit of the best possible care for patients."
According to a press release, obtaining Magnet recognition challenges hospitals to integrate the program's concepts—transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, innovation, and the measurement of outcomes—into the fabric of their nursing operations. Nurses work with the support and guidance of their supervisors and in collaboration with other departments to improve care. They document and submit the results of dozens of multi-year improvement projects during each redesignation, which occurs every four years.
"Being recognized by Magnet for the fifth consecutive time is a tremendous honor," said SVHC's President and CEO Thomas A. Dee. "Our extraordinarily skilled nurses provide unparalleled care and while collaborating with physicians and colleagues to deliver excellent patient outcomes and reshape healthcare for the future."
Magnet's review of applicants' documentation—which includes hundreds of pages of research, implementation, and outcomes—is a lengthy process. The hospital must meet standards in order to advance to the next level, a site visit, which occurred virtually in November. The appraisal is a review of all aspects of nursing, including the collection of feedback from leaders, staff, and community members.
According to a press release, patients in Magnet facilities report higher satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help, and receipt of discharge information. Magnet hospitals demonstrate better outcomes in key performance indicators. In addition, Magnet facilities have higher job satisfaction among nurses, more highly trained nurses, and lower turnover rates. Highly qualified and satisfied staff members are shown to have a positive impact on patient safety.
"The Magnet designation signifies outstanding physician-nurse collaboration in pursuit of clinical excellence," said SVMC's Chief Medical Officer Trey Dobson. "It is part of what makes SVMC the remarkable small hospital it is."
SVMC adopted Magnet standards in 1998 and was first designated in 2002. At every stage, facilities undergoing the redesignation process must provide evidence that their nursing teams have sustained and surpassed their execution of Magnet standards since the previous review.
"The rewards associated with the hard work of meeting Magnet's rigorous review are many," Duchene explained. "It means that our highly skilled and deeply compassionate nurses are confident that they are providing the best possible care. That brings tremendous satisfaction and inspires the entire health system toward an always-improving mindset."
