UNC Hospitals' "Magnet" Status Renewed for Third Time

UNC Hospitals' designation as a Magnet Organization has been renewed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program® for a third time.

Fewer than nine (9) percent of all hospitals in the United States receive the ANCC Magnet institution designation. Adding to this exclusive designation, UNC Hospitals is one of only 160 hospitals to have received this distinction three times.

UNC Hospitals' Magnet re-designation would not have been possible without the extremely hard work of many dedicated and diligent nurses and other team members within the institution. Cathy Madigan, DNP, Chief Nursing Officer for UNC Medical Center, was informed of the designation "live" during a recent Department Heads meeting.

"I simply cannot put into words how proud I am of our nursing staff and other team members within UNC Hospitals," Madigan said. "To achieve a third Magnet designation at any point is quite an accomplishment, but for this team to have done it during a global pandemic is simply fantastic," she continued.

UNC Hospitals President Janet Hadar echoed Madigan's pride for this third designation. "Cathy and her team did a remarkable job getting UNC Hospitals Magnet Designation-eligible once, but to maintain that level of quality for three designations is simply amazing," Hadar said. "It is our goal to provide the highest level of care possible for all patients at UNC Hospitals," Hadar explained. "Continuing as an ANCC Magnet Organization is independent proof of our commitment to constantly improving our processes and procedures for the benefit of our patients and their families."

ANCC Praise for UNC Hospitals

Among other accolades, the summary report from the ANCC said, "UNC's Magnet designation is testament to the countless contributions UNC's nurses, in collaboration with other team members, have made in their commitment to provide quality patient care through innovations in professional nursing practice."

Nursing Innovation

Per its report, the ANCC appraisal team observed several examples of innovation in nursing practices at UNC Hospitals. One example cited was that nurses in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit use an evidence-based inter-professional initiative to maintain high quality resuscitative care in cardiopulmonary arrest situations while reducing the risk of exposure to clinical staff in COVID-19 positive patients.

This innovative approach utilized the Physio-Control LUCAS 3 Chest Compression System to provide chest compressions and reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure to staff.

Emphasizing Quality Improvement: Quality TV (QTV)

To ensure care quality, UNC's Surgery Value Stream Committee recognized that dissemination efforts must provide current and standardized content while being presented in an easy-to-understand and accessible format for all staff. This was accomplished through the Committee's installation of Quality TV" (QTV), a wall-mounted electronic screen to display quality data in a highly visible location for patients, visitors, and staff.

The ANCC team felt the central location of QTV reflects a commitment to data transparency and makes access and viewing key metrics nearly effortless. QTV served to reinforce data transparency, provided feedback on practice, created a sense of inclusion among nurses for improving care and recognized the contributions of nurses in quality efforts. For visitors and patients, the information exemplified the organization's commitment to providing high-quality care.

The ANCC summary also cited the Oncology Unit creation of a Quality Liaison position as a new innovative role. This role was designed to assure compliance with evidence-based practices related to quality patient outcomes. The liaison conducts audits and provides clinical nurses with direct feedback regarding compliance with expected standards of care. The incorporation of this role has led to significant improvements in care as evidenced by a 51% decrease in CLABSIs, a 40% decrease in C. Difficile infections, and a 55% reduction in CAUTIs.

Additional examples of innovation cited by the ANCC include the Assistive Personnel Advancement Program, creative workplace safety strategies, and diversity initiatives.

About UNC Health

UNC Health is an integrated health care system owned by the state of North Carolina and based in Chapel Hill. It exists to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina and to provide state-of-the-art patient care.

UNC Health is comprised of UNC Hospitals at Chapel Hill, ranked consistently among the best medical centers in the country; the UNC School of Medicine, a nationally eminent research institution; Pardee UNC Health Care in Hendersonville; Chatham Hospital in Siler City; Johnston Health in Clayton and Smithfield; UNC Lenoir Health Care in Kinston; Wayne UNC Health Care in Goldsboro; Caldwell UNC Health Care in Lenoir; Nash UNC Health Care in Rocky Mount; UNC Rockingham Health Care in Eden, Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, UNC REX Healthcare and its provider network in Wake County; and the UNC Physicians Network.

For more information, please visit www.unchealthcare.org.