HICKORY, NC – Catawba Valley Medical Center has been granted its
third consecutive Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing
Center (ANCC), becoming one of only 30 hospitals in the nation to receive
the distinction three times.
The ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® recognizes healthcare organizations
that provide the very best in nursing care and professionalism in nursing
practice. Based on quality indicators and standards of nursing practice
as defined by the American Nurses Association, Magnet recognition is the
gold standard for nursing excellence. Currently, 359 healthcare organizations
in 44 states, the District of Columbia and four other nations are recognized
for their excellence in nursing service.
What does Magnet really mean? Research shows that Magnet-designated hospitals
are not only more effective at attracting and keeping quality nurses,
but patients there have lower mortality rates and shorter lengths of stay
than at non-Magnet hospitals. According to ANCC, Magnet recognition “provides
consumers with the ultimate benchmark to measure the quality of care they
can expect to receive.”
“Having received three Magnet designations, Catawba Valley Medical
Center has consistently proven its ability to provide high quality patient
care in an environment that encourages continuous staff development, nursing
leadership and community involvement,” said Karen Drenkard, PhD,
RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Director of the Magnet Recognition Program. “This
is an outstanding achievement for a local community hospital and speaks
to Catawba Valley Medical Center’s ability to recruit and retain
an outstanding cadre of nursing professionals at all levels.”
In 2001, Catawba Valley Medical Center became the 32nd hospital in the
nation to attain Magnet status. This was followed by a second designation
in 2005 and a third in 2010.
“We are extremely proud of the Catawba Valley Medical Center nursing
program for earning a third Magnet designation,” said J. Anthony
Rose, President & CEO, Catawba Valley Medical Center. “Studies
have shown that a high ratio of registered nurses has a direct impact
on quality. Knowing this, we made a commitment long ago to building an
organizational culture that includes nurses in decisions and supports
ongoing education and specialty training.”
“Being a Magnet hospital means that we encourage our nurses to advance
their knowledge in ways that directly benefit our patients and our community,”
said Eddie Beard, Senior Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing
Officer, Catawba Valley Medical Center. “This third Magnet designation
shows that we are constantly looking to improve our practice and the patient
experience at Catawba Valley Medical Center.”
Catawba Valley Medical Center is a not-for-profit, public healthcare system
providing and promoting the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual
well-being of the public in addition to serving as a center for health
education, wellness services, preventative medicine and acute care. CVMC,
thrice recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet
facility, was recently named a “Distinguished Hospital for An Outstanding
InPatient Experience” by J.D. Power and Associates and a Hospital
of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers.