Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago recently achieved Magnet redesignation for excellence in nursing care by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program.

This redesignation is the second time Advocate Illinois Masonic has met the stringent criteria to receive the designation. The medical center originally was awarded Magnet designation, which lasts for four years, in 2008.

"This Magnet redesignation reflects our dedication to the patients and the community we serve as we continue our journey of clinical excellence," Donna King, RN, BSN, MBA, NE-BC, FACHE, vice president of clinical operations and CNE, said in a news release. "Redesignation means we have become a magnet for the best and brightest healthcare professionals have to offer — nurses, technologists, physicians and support staff. It recognizes the excellent work we perform every day as a team — a family — of healthcare providers to provide the highest quality care possible for those we serve."

King said in the release that the nurses, associates and physicians at Advocate Illinois Masonic gathered around the phone to receive the good news, breaking into celebration with the announcement from a representative of the ANCC. The announcement was the culmination of a rigorous process that included an extensive application, interviews and a three-day, on-site survey by ANCC reviewers. To qualify for Magnet redesignation, the medical center had to demonstrate hard and fast outcomes of its work during the four years since achieving its original designation Jan. 14, 2008.

According to the release, hospitals achieving Magnet status are noteworthy for their quality, excellence and innovation in nursing.

Research indicates healthcare institutions with these traits have improved overall patient outcomes, shorter lengths of patient stay, higher rates of patient satisfaction and greater cost-efficiency.