EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Mayo Clinic Health System in Northwest Wisconsin has achieved Magnet designation, the highest national honor for nursing excellence, from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Mayo Clinic Health System received the recognition on Nov. 29 as a reflection of its nursing professionalism, teamwork and superiority in patient care. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program distinguishes organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence.

Mayo Clinic Health System in Northwest Wisconsin includes hospitals in Barron, Bloomer, Eau Claire, Menomonie and Osseo, and clinics in 10 communities across the region.

With this credential, Mayo Clinic Health System joins the global community of Magnet-recognized organizations. Just a small and select group of U.S. healthcare organizations have achieved Magnet recognition.

"Earning Magnet is a mark of distinction," says Ryannon Frederick, chief nursing officer, Mayo Clinic. "Combining the knowledge and compassion of a professional nurse with organizational leadership that recognizes and supports their contribution is what leads to excellent patient care. Congratulations to all of our outstanding Mayo Clinic nurses on your achievement."

"Magnet recognition provides our community with the ultimate benchmark to measure the quality of patient care our nurses provide," says Kelly Buchholtz, chief nursing officer, Mayo Clinic Health System in Northwest Wisconsin. "Achieving Magnet recognition reinforces the culture of excellence that is a cornerstone of how we serve our communities. It also is a clear reflection of our nurses' commitment to putting the needs of our patients first."

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

• Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information.
• Lower risk of patient falls and lower hospital infections.
• Higher job satisfaction among nurses.
• Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions.

"This milestone stands as a tribute to the remarkable efforts of our nursing team — our frontline heroes, exemplifying resilience, dedication and unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to our patients," says Prathibha Varkey, M.B.B.S., president, Mayo Clinic Health System. 

"Earning Magnet designation is an extraordinary achievement," says Richard Helmers, M.D., regional vice president, Mayo Clinic Health System in Northwest Wisconsin. "It recognizes the professionalism, skills and leadership of Mayo Clinic Health System nurses and their vital importance to the organization. We could not be prouder of our nurses for earning this recognition." 

Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and is a factor when the public judges healthcare organizations. U.S. News & World Report's annual showcase of "America’s Best Hospitals" includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care.

The Magnet Model provides a framework for nursing practice, research and measurement of outcomes. Through this framework, ANCC evaluates applicants across a number of components and dimensions to gauge an organization's nursing excellence.

The foundation of this model comprises various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.

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About Mayo Clinic Health System

Mayo Clinic Health System has a physical presence in 44 communities and consists of 53 clinics, 16 hospitals and other facilities that serve the healthcare needs of people in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The community-based healthcare professionals, paired with the resources and expertise of Mayo Clinic, enable patients in the region to receive the highest-quality physical and virtual healthcare close to home.

About ANCC's Magnet Recognition Program

The Magnet Recognition Program — administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the largest and most prominent nurses credentialing organization in the world — identifies healthcare organizations that provide the very best in nursing care and professionalism in nursing practice.

The Magnet Recognition Program is the highest national honor for nursing excellence and provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark for measuring quality of care. For more information about the Magnet Recognition Program and current statistics, visit www.nursingworld.org/magnet.

Media contact:

• Dan Lea, Mayo Clinic Health System Communications, 715-838-6405, lea.dan@mayo.edu

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