Published on January 15, 2010

Magnet appraisers visit Genesis, Davenport

Magnet appraisers from the American Nurses Credentialing Center concluded a three-day visit to Genesis Medical Center, Davenport this week as the hospital's journey to achieve Magnet re-designation nears completion.

Magnet organizations are recognized as providing the very best in nursing care. Of the roughly 6,000 hospitals in the United States, only 5 percent have achieved Magnet recognition.

Magnet designation is awarded to hospitals that successfully undergo an extensive evaluation of nationally and internationally accepted standards for nursing care and professional performance, and demonstrate the 14 Forces of Magnetism.

Genesis, Davenport, which employs nearly 1,000 full-time, part-time and per diem nurses, first earned Magnet designation in 2005. Hospitals awarded Magnet status must continue to maintain rigorous standards and are required to apply for re-designation every four years.

The ANCC is the credentialing arm of the American Nurses Association.

In addition to outperforming their peers in nurse recruitment and retention, Magnet hospitals have lower rates of nursing burnout, increased job satisfaction, higher ratings for the quality of care delivered, increased productivity, lower Medicare and diseasespecific
mortality rates, shorter lengths of stay and increased patient satisfaction.

The appraisers toured nursing units and talked with nurses, ancillary staff and community "stakeholders." The purpose of the site visit was to "verify, clarify, and amplify" the content of written documentation submitted by Genesis last July and to evaluate the organizational environment in which nursing is practiced.

The lengthy, four-phase process to achieve Magnet re-designation for GMC Davenport began in 2008. After making an application
for re-designation to the Magnet Recognition Program, Genesis submitted written documentation and evaluation of its nursing organization. The written documentation, 1,995 pages, was compiled by nursing staff and submitted in July of last year.

Genesis was one of the first hospitals in the country to successfully submit its documentation electronically.

Program appraisers reviewed the written documentation, requested additional information totaling 85 pages, and then scored Genesis high enough to merit the visit.

Following their site visit, the Magnet appraisers will make a final report to the Commission on Magnet Recognition. The decision on Magnet re-designation for Genesis, Davenport is expected this spring.