Nursing care is an important part of your hospital stay

Banner Good Samaritan is nationally recognized for nursing excellence

PHOENIX (June 22, 2006) — So often people choose a medical facility because it is where their physician has privileges or directs them to seek care. But while in the hospital patients and their families spend more time with nursing staff than any other medical professional. Does it make sense to choose a hospital because of the nursing care it offers?

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) says, “Yes!” This organization, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association, is the largest and most prominent nursing credentialing organization in the United States. The ANCC offers a special designation – Magnet™ status – to hospitals nationally that meet their rigorous criteria.

Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center is one of only two Phoenix-area hospitals to achieve this designation for nursing excellence. And to date, only about 200 of the 6,000+ hospitals in the U.S. have been named to this nursing honor roll.

According to the ANCC, “The Magnet Recognition Program® recognizes health care organizations that demonstrate excellence in nursing philosophy and practice, adherence to national standards for improving patient care, leadership and sensitivity to cultural and ethnic diversity.”

Applicants undergo a rigorous evaluation that includes extensive interviews, an on-site survey, and a comprehensive review of nursing services, clinical outcomes and patient care. Research shows there are clear benefits to hospitals that are awarded Magnet™ status and to the communities they serve:

Magnet™-designated facilities consistently outperform other facilities in recruiting and retaining nurses — resulting in increased stability in patient care and positive patient outcomes.
Because quality nursing is one of the most important factors in enlisting high-caliber physicians and specialists, Magnet™ status becomes an attractive force that extends to the entire facility.
Magnet™-designated facilities have lower mortality rates and shorter lengths of stay.
Health-care consumers should have more confidence in the overall quality of a hospital if it has achieved the level of nursing standards established by the Magnet Recognition Program®.

“Our Magnet™ designation recognizes the excellent work our nurses do each day, and reflects the commitment of our entire staff to serve as a team, providing the highest quality care available for the people of our community,” said Selma Kendrick, RN, MSN, interim Chief Nursing Officer. “It’s also an important recruiting advantage in a time of nursing shortage.”

Banner Good Samaritan’s Magnet™ status, which includes annual reviews, was received in June 2005 and is valid until June 2009.

Located in downtown Phoenix, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center has been providing medical care to Arizona and the Southwest since 1911. Banner Good Samaritan’s staff is nationally recognized for its expertise in several major services, including cardiology, critical care, neurosciences, obstetrics, oncology, rehabilitation, research and surgery. Today, more than 3,600 nurses and staff members work with over 1,700 physicians representing nearly 50 specialties to provide care to more than 36,000 inpatients each year.