Magnet Hospitals Have Reduced Number of Deaths Following Surgery

There are approximately 400 Magnet-recognized hospitals in the US

In a 4-state study of 564 hospitals, patients treated in Magnet hospitals had 14% lower odds of death than those treated in non-Magnet hospitals. Determined by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the Magnet designation identifies high-quality patient care, high levels of nurse education, and nursing innovation.

Approximately 400 (or 8%) of hospitals in the US are Magnet-recognized hospitals. This study, led by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, included 100,000 registered nurses and took place in California, Florida, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. These 4 states are among the nation’s largest and account for more than 20% of hospitalizations annually.

“Even controlling for differences in nursing, hospital, and patient characteristics, surgical patients fared better in Magnet hospitals,” said lead author Dr Matthew D. McHugh, a public health policy expert at University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. “The better outcomes can be attributed in large part to investments in highly qualified and highly educated nurses, and practice environments supportive of high-quality nursing care.”

Studies on Magnet hospitals dating back to 1994 have revealed that these hospitals produce lower rates of patient death. According to McHugh and colleagues, ongoing research shows that Magnet hospitals have “higher levels of nurse satisfaction, less nurse burnout, lower patient fall rates, and lower mortality among very low birthweight infants.” The authors also state, “Our findings reinforce that better work environments for nurses are the distinguishing factor between Magnet and non-Magnet hospitals and are the key to better patient outcomes.”

“The Magnet recognition program is not the only means of improving the work environment, but it may provide a replicable blueprint for doing so, to the benefit of nurses and patients,” said McHugh. “Hospitals that have earned Magnet status have seen improvement in patient outcomes, suggesting that the process of applying for and retaining Magnet recognition, and the networking opportunities that come with Magnet recognition, may promote continuing quality improvement and organizational innovation.”

Source: University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.