AHN Saint Vincent Hospital Earns Prestigious Magnet® Recognition, the Nation’s Highest Honor for Nursing Excellence

ERIE, PA  – Saint Vincent Hospital, part of the Allegheny Health Network (AHN), has achieved Magnet ® recognition status, reflecting its nursing professionalism, teamwork, and superiority in patient care.

AHN Saint Vincent is one of only 9 percent of hospitals – out of more than 6,300 nationwide - to achieve Magnet recognition, a testament to Saint Vincent’s dedication to high-quality nursing practice. This distinguished honor is bestowed to healthcare organizations by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for meeting rigorous standards for nursing excellence and is the highest national honor for professional nursing practice.

“Magnet recognition is a tremendous accomplishment for AHN Saint Vincent and is a reflection of the outstanding talents, experience and unwavering dedication of our nurses who provide high quality of care delivered with exceptional compassion to our patients and their families,” said Sallie Piazza, BSN, MS CNML, CNOR, Chief Nursing Officer, AHN Saint Vincent Hospital. “We are so proud of everyone on our nursing team for achieving this distinguished, much-deserved honor.”

Research has shown that Magnet designated healthcare organizations demonstrate:

·       Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information.

·       Lower risk of 30-day patient mortality and lower failure to rescue rates.

·       Higher job satisfaction among nurses.

·       Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions.

Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and is a significant factor in public perceptions about 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.

To achieve initial Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that includes widespread participation from leadership and staff. This process includes submission of an electronic application, written patient care documentation, an on-site visit, and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition. Health care organizations must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet concepts and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality.

“The process of attaining Magnet recognition has taken our excellent care at AHN Saint Vincent Hospital to new heights,” said Karen Munson, MBA, BSN, RN, CHFM, director of Professional Practice, Education, and Magnet at Saint Vincent.  

“Magnet raises the bar for patient care, inspiring our team to strive for higher standards, to think critically and creatively and to ensure our patients receive the very best care at all times,” said Patricia Donnelly, MBA, BSN, RN, CCRN, Magnet Program Director at the hospital.

AHN Saint Vincent is AHN’s third Magnet hospital, joining West Penn and Jefferson hospitals in earning that designation.

“Magnet recognition is the ultimate benchmark for nursing excellence and the quality of care that patients and communities can expect at healthcare organizations where this honor is achieved. They can be assured the nurses who practice at Magnet facilities meet the very highest of standards in quality and care delivery,” said Claire Zangerle, DPN, RN, FAAN, AHN’s Chief Nurse Executive. “At AHN, we are proud of all our nursing teams throughout the network and look forward to achieving this important recognition at each hospital and in our ambulatory care facilities. We are thrilled that the nurses at AHN Saint Vincent have helped us take another great step forward in that journey.”