Rush Oak Park Hospital has received its second Magnet designation, the highest recognition given for nursing excellence.
All three hospitals in Rush University System for Health have achieved Magnet status. Rush University Medical Center, received Magnet status for the fifth consecutive time in October, and Rush Copley Medical Center received Magnet designation in January of 2020.
“Organizations that achieve Magnet recognition are part of an esteemed group that demonstrates superior nursing practices and outcomes,” according to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), an independently governed organization within the American Nurses Association that designates Magnet status. “Magnet organizations are recognized for superior nursing processes and quality patient care, which lead to the highest levels of safety, quality and patient satisfaction.”
The ANCC notified the hospital of its re-designation today following an extensive process that included submitting qualitative and quantitative evidence about patient care and outcomes.
Receiving Magnet status demonstrates ROPH’s commitment to providing outstanding patient care, said Angela Cooper, DNP, RN, CNL, the hospital’s associate vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer. “We’re so pleased that our nurses are regarded as the best in their field,” Cooper said.
“With such a designation our nurses can take pride in the outstanding work they do and know that they are making a significant impact,” said Bruce Elegant, MPH, FACHE, president and CEO. “This is a badge of honor and much deserved by our exceptional nursing staff.”
To earn Magnet status, organizations undergo a vigorous evaluation. The Magnet team evaluated ROPH nursing with regard to quality patient outcomes, innovative initiatives and interdisciplinary efforts to improve patient safety, among other standards. The review also included patient complaints, references and community perspectives. In January, Magnet surveyors conducted a virtual visit of the hospital.
Prior to today, only 552 of the nation’s more than 6,100 hospitals had current Magnet status, based on data from the ANCC and the American Hospital Association.
“The nursing profession looks to Rush nurses to set the standards of practice, excellence and innovation in developing evidence-based care and to direct and advance the practice,” said Angelique Richard, PhD, RN, CENP, chief nursing officer for Rush University Medical Center and Rush University System for Health, and senior vice president of hospital operations for the Medical Center. “It is therefore no surprise that all three Rush system hospitals are among the 9% of hospitals in the country with Magnet designations – the highest recognition for nursing excellence. Congratulations and thank you to Angela Cooper, CNO, Rachel Start, Magnet program director, ROPH’s nursing team and the entire Rush Oak Park Hospital team for your second Magnet designation and for upholding this standard of Rush nursing excellence.”
