29 Jun 2010
Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has become the first hospital in Asia to gain the Magnet® status – the highest institutional honor for nursing excellence and leadership.
This accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) places SGH among the elite group of top five percent of hospitals in the world to have achieved this prestigious recognition, along with internationally renowned hospitals such as Mayo Clinic, John Hopkins Hospital and Duke University Hospital.
The Magnet® Recognition Program was developed by the ANCC to recognise healthcare organisations that provide not only excellence in nursing, but also the highest quality of patient care at all levels throughout the hospital. The term "Magnet" refers to the ability of a recognised organisation to attract and retain professional nurses who experience a high degree of satisfaction in their workplace and attract patients in search of the best healthcare.
What is Magnet® Status?
Magnet® was created after a 1983 study by the ANCC revealed that certain hospitals had exceptional staff retention rates, high job satisfaction and a high level of patient satisfaction. These hospitals became known as Magnet® hospitals, serving as "magnets" to attract and retain nurses who experienced a high degree of professional and personal satisfaction through their practice.
After analysing their data, the researchers came up with "14 Forces of Magnetism" that they felt defined these exceptional hospitals. The 14 Forces revolved around creating an environment that supports nursing practice and focuses on professional autonomy, decision making at the bedside, involvement in determining the work environment, professional education, career development and nursing leadership. The ANCC calls Magnet® accreditation a seal of approval for quality because a Magnet® recognised hospital must have superior patient outcomes and patient satisfaction.
SGH’s Magnet® Journey
To qualify for Magnet® designation, SGH had submitted an extensive application demonstrating how our nurses exemplify excellence in nursing. Magnet hospitals must meet stringent quantitative and qualitative standards that define the highest quality of nursing practice and patient care. Becoming a Magnet hospital means that the organisation must meet over 65 standards developed by the ANCC. The standards must be demonstrated in a very extensive written document and validated and clarified by a site visit.
Based upon submission of thousands of pages of documentation, ANCC granted SGH a three-day site visit in February 2010, during which Magnet surveyors interacted with nurses and other employees throughout the Hospital to gather evidence of how the 14 Forces of Magnetism were demonstrated across the organisation.
"We are an organisation committed to quality, compassion and innovation, and this recognition demonstrates how these ideals are more than just healthcare terms, but words we take to heart in everything we do," said A/Prof Lim Swee Hia, Director Nursing, SGH.
“Magnet® designation is about teamwork and commitment to quality. Nursing is supported by amazing collaborative partnerships with every department at SGH. Together, we strive not only to provide quality patient care, but also to be role models to others in our profession, mentors, leaders and patient advocates. ” she added.
More than just a prestigious award, achieving the Magnet® status provides the public with the benchmark to measure the quality of care they can expect to receive at our Hospital. It is yet another assuring factor to our patients that SGH meets the highest standards in delivering top-notch patient-centred care.
Click for pdf format
Related links:
« Back to previous
page