North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Again, Achieves Highest Nursing Recognition

September 4, 2003

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the nation’s leading credentialing organization, has announced that the nursing staff at North Carolina Baptist Hospital at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center has been re-designated with the prestigious distinction of Magnet nursing status.

The Magnet award is bestowed by the ANCC, the accrediting body of the American Nurses Association, to recognize and honor the nursing staffs of hospitals that meet the nation’s highest standards for nursing excellence.

“We are very proud of our staff and their commitment to excellence. Achieving re-designation of the Magnet status is a tremendous accomplishment and validates the professionalism of our staff,” said A. Patricia Johnson, R.N., M.A.,Ed., M.A., Vice President, Operations, North Carolina Baptist Hospital.

Excellence is the primary focus of the Magnet Recognition Program. Based on research, the Magnet program was developed to recognize health care organizations that provide the best in quality patient care and uphold excellence in professional nursing practice.

ANCC’s Magnet designation is achieved after successfully completing a process whereby a team of professionals with experience in quality indicators, nursing administration, and nursing care appraises a hospital’s nursing services, clinical outcomes, and patient care. Research data and extensive interviews help evaluate the nursing practice with respect to the patient, family, community and nursing services.

“Magnet status is the ultimate benchmark to measure quality of nursing care and serves to attract and retain quality employees. Our staff has made a commitment to quality and we are honored to receive this recognition,” says Len B. Preslar Jr., President and CEO of North Carolina Baptist Hospital.

Baptist received its original four-year Magnet designation in 1999. Today, there are 82 health care organizations in the United States and internationally that have received the distinguished Magnet designation.

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Media Contacts: Lisa Long, lclong@wfubmc.edu, Karen Richardson, (krchrdsn@wfubmc.edu), Mark Wright (mwright@wfubmc.edu) at (336) 716-4587.

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Main Number: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587