Magnet recognition is the highest national honor for nursing excellence.

Lima, Ohio — March 28, 2019 — Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center achieved Magnet recognition in March 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.

With this credential, St. Rita’s joins the global community of Magnet-recognized organizations. Just 482 U.S. health care organizations out of more than 6,300 U.S. hospitals have achieved Magnet recognition and one of only 36 in Ohio. St. Rita’s is the only hospital in the region to be recognized as a Magnet organization.

“This recognition is a tremendous honor and reflects our commitment to delivering the highest quality of care to this community,” said Bob Baxter, President, Mercy Health Toledo & Lima. “In 2019, St. Rita’s has been distinguished as a Top 100 Hospital and a five-star facility and now our team has achieved Magnet recognition. This demonstrates the dedication of the St. Rita’s team to always excel while at the same time being guided by our Mission to serve those in need.”

Magnet recognition is just the latest honor bestowed on St. Rita’s in the region. Others include:

  • Mercy Health - St. Rita’s Medical Center was named a Top 100 Hospital from IBM Watson for a second consecutive year
  • CMS awarded St. Rita’s a 5-star rating for quality and patient safety measures – the only hospital to be awarded 5 stars in the region
  • The Leapfrog Group awarded St. Rita’s an “A”

“Magnet recognition provides our community with the ultimate benchmark to measure the quality of patient care,” added Cory Werts, RN, BSN, NE-BC, Chief Nursing Officer for Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center. “Achieving Magnet recognition reinforces the culture of excellence that is a cornerstone of how we serve our community.”

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.

“Magnet recognition provides tangible evidence of our nurses’ commitment to providing the very best care to our patients, of which we are extremely proud,” said Jodi Pahl, RN, BSN, BC, who initiated the process to pursue Magnet recognition several years ago when she served as Chief Nursing Officer for the Lima and Toledo markets. She now serves at Chief Nursing Executive for the Great Lakes Group.

Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and is a factor when the public judges health care 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.

To achieve Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. This process includes an electronic application, written patient care documentation, an on-site visit, and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition.

About Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center

Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center, is part of Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMHealth.org,) one of the top 20 health systems in the United States, one of the largest employers in Ohio and part of the top performing quartile of Catholic health systems for lowest cost per case for patient care. Since 1918, Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center has been providing quality health care to the people of Allen County and west central Ohio. Our comprehensive high-quality medical services include neuroscience, cardiovascular, trauma and emergency, cancer treatment, women's health, mother/baby, pediatrics, sports medicine and rehabilitation, behavioral health services, homecare and hospice.

It is our Mission to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of our communities. In 2017, Mercy Health – St. Rita’s invested more than $44 million in community benefit to our surrounding area. Together with more than 3,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, we are fulfilling our promise, providing area residents with outstanding health and wellness services and improving the health of the communities we serve. Please visit mercy.com for more information or connect with Mercy Health – St. Rita’s on Facebook.

About ANCC Magnet Recognition Program

The Magnet Recognition Program is administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the largest and most prominent nurse credentialing organization in the world identifies health care 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.nursecredentialing.org/magnet.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes health care organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. This credential is the highest national honor for professional nursing practice.