Sarah Bush Lincoln Receives Magnet Recognition Designation

(A GROUP OF NURSING DIRECTORS AT SARAH BUSH LINCOLN CELEBRATE THE MAGNET RECOGNITION DESIGNATION)

Sarah Bush Lincoln has announced that it has earned the Magnet Recognition designation, which the hospital says is the highest and most prestigious distinction a healthcare organization can receive for nursing practice and quality patient care.

SBL President & CEO Kim Uphoff expressed her pride in the achievement, stating, “I am so proud of our team. For the past eight years, Sarah Bush Lincoln has been working toward earning Magnet status, a designation that less than 10 percent of hospitals in the nation have received, and we are one of them. This is a great day for Sarah Bush Lincoln and for our community!”

Magnet designation, which Sarah Bush Lincoln said is considered the gold standard in patient care, signifies that SBL has exceeded the threshold for improvements in patient care. Awarded unanimously by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), it is the top national honor for professional nursing practice and distinguishes hospitals and healthcare organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence.

SBL Nursing Excellence Director Breana Johnson, MSN, RN, CNML, highlighted the collaborative efforts leading to this recognition: “This has been a team effort, showing collaboration across all disciplines to improve patient outcomes. Magnet not only enhances our organizational recruitment, but it also elevates patient care.”

Throughout this journey, SBL’s nursing teams have made significant strides in evidence-based practice, nursing research, and clinical quality committee councils. The focus on safety, quality, and patient experience has been integral to achieving excellence in healthcare, aligning closely with the mission, vision, and values of Sarah Bush Lincoln, Johnson added. In June, Magnet appraisers conducted a virtual visit at SBL to verify, clarify, and amplify the culture of excellence.

Over the course of the three-day visit, appraisers held meetings with a variety of staff, leaders, board members, community stakeholders, and visited inpatient and ambulatory departments.

“Attaining Magnet status underscores Sarah Bush Lincoln’s commitment to providing our patients compassionate and evidence-based nursing care every day,” SBL Vice President Patient Care Continuum Colleen Swick added. “It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our skilled nursing professionals, who are at the forefront of innovation and the practice of nursing, and to our colleagues across the organization who support them.”

Earning Magnet designation involves widespread participation from hospital leadership and colleagues throughout the organization. The rigorous process includes significant reporting, written patient care documentation, an extensive onsite visit, and a comprehensive review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition.