Prisma Health Baptist Hospital achieves Magnet recognition, the highest national honor for nursing excellence

GREENVILLE, S.C.—Prisma Health Baptist Hospital in Columbia has achieved Magnet status, the gold standard for nursing excellence. The hospital joins a select group of healthcare organizations able to meet the rigorous standards set by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (AANC), demonstrating that the hospital empowers its nurses to take the lead on patient care and to be drivers of change and innovation.

With this credential, Prisma Health Baptist Hospital joins the global community of Magnet-recognized organizations. It is the fourth Prisma Health hospital to receive Magnet recognition, joining Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital, Prisma Health Greer Memorial Hospital and Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital. There are only seven Magnet-designated hospitals in South Carolina. Fewer than 600 hospitals worldwide have earned Magnet status. Requirements include meeting stringent measures of workplace environment, clinical excellence, innovative practices and quality patient outcomes.

“I am proud of the Baptist nursing team’s commitment and pursuit of excellence,” said Tina Ralyea, Chief Nursing Officer for Prisma Health Baptist and Baptist Parkridge hospitals. “The Magnet designation is one milestone as we continue to bring our purpose to life: Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.”

"Prisma Health is focused on excellence in nursing practice. Magnet designation is the outcome of this commitment,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Carolyn Swinton. “We could not be prouder of our Baptist Hospital nursing, physician and support teams who have been working so diligently toward this well-deserved recognition."

Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to healthcare 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 rates
• Higher job satisfaction among nurses

Magnet status is a factor when the public judges medical organizations. U.S. News & World Report’s annual showcase of “America’s Best Hospitals” includes Magnet 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, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (AANC) evaluates applicants across several 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.

About Prisma Health

Prisma Health is a not-for-profit health company and the largest healthcare system in South Carolina. With nearly 30,000 team members, 18 acute care and specialty hospitals, 2,947 beds, approximately 300 outpatient sites, and nearly 5,000 employed and clinically integrated network physicians and providers, Prisma Health serves more than 1.2 million unique patients annually in its 21-county market area that covers 50% of South Carolina. Prisma Health’s goal is to improve the health of all South Carolinians by enhancing clinical quality, the patient experience and access to affordable care, as well as conducting clinical research and training the next generation of medical professionals. For more information, visit PrismaHealth.org.

About ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program

The Magnet Recognition Program — administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the largest and most prominent nurses 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 NursingWorld.org/Magnet.