Following a comprehensive review process that began more than three years ago, Indiana University Health West Hospital has attained Magnet with Distinction recognition. This is the third time IU Health West has achieved Magnet, and the first time the hospital has earned Magnet with Distinction. This achievement from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is the highest national honor for professional nursing practice.

Less than 10 percent of hospitals across the United States have earned Magnet status. Even fewer have earned Magnet Recognition with Distinction, a new ANCC designation recognizing the highest performing Magnet organizations around the world.

Magnet with Distinction celebrates hospitals and healthcare organizations that exceed the scoring thresholds required to attain Magnet designation. It raises the bar to recognize top-tier organizations that have achieved the highest level of nursing excellence while addressing emerging challenges and changes in health care moving forward.

“Magnet recognition is a tremendous honor and reflects our commitment to delivering the highest quality of care to this community,” said Kapri Ames, chief nursing officer at IU Health West. “To earn Magnet recognition once was a great accomplishment and source of pride for our team. Our repeated achievement of this credential showcases the excellence and values that drive our team to strive harder each day to meet the healthcare needs of the people we serve.”

Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities, such as:

• Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information.
• Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rates.
• Higher job satisfaction among nurses.
• Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions.

“This is the gold standard for nursing excellence,” Ames continued. “I’m incredibly proud of our team and the work it’s taken to accomplish this. It goes beyond nursing – it’s truly been a collaboration of all disciplines within the hospital. Magnet recognition raises the bar for patient care and inspires every member of our team to achieve excellence every day.”

IU Health West Hospital was also awarded eight exemplars, including four in nurse-sensitive clinical quality in inpatient units for care in falls with injury, hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI’s), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI’s) and device-related HAPI’s. Three other exemplars were awarded in ambulatory care, as well as an exemplar in an inpatient patient experience. Magnet exemplars are stories that highlight excellence in nursing practice.

To achieve initial Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread engagement from leadership and staff. Health care organizations must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet standards and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality.

An organization reapplying for Magnet designation must provide robust documented evidence that showcases high quality nursing care, which is demonstrated through exemplary patient outcomes. The Magnet standards must be met throughout the four-year period since the organization received its most recent recognition. After document submission, the Magnet Program Office sends an appraiser team to an organization for a multi-day site visit, where they validate and verify everything shared in the document. Finally, the Commission on Magnet performs a thorough review and makes a final decision regarding re-designation.

Magnet with Distinction will compel higher levels of evidence-based practice, care delivery excellence, and optimal patient outcomes. It will give hospitals and healthcare organizations another way to demonstrate the value of nursing care to their communities. Magnet with Distinction is determined based on the review process. Organizations apply and are reviewed in the standard document submission manner.