Providing "Magnet" Nursing Care
Pam Greer is biking along Phoenix's roads again, and Magnet nursing is the reason why
By D.D. Kullman
Not many people in this world know what it’s like to be hurled through space, into the windshield of an oncoming car. Pam Greer has that dubious honor.
As an EMT and employee at the Wound Care Center at Phoenix St. Luke’s Medical Center, Pam has witnessed many trauma injuries over the years. But never in her wildest dreams did she expect to become one of her own statistics.
Early one morning, as Pam flew across the handlebars of her bicycle and through the windshield of a car, she knew in that moment, with blinding clarity, that her life would never be the same again.
"I remember flipping upside down and coming down head-first into the windshield," Pam explains. "Then I landed face-first on the concrete. I broke my neck, my collarbone, a rib and an elbow. Plus, I had several contusions, abrasions and lacerations."
When the paramedics—including Pam’s husband Steve, a paramedic and captain with the Phoenix Fire Department—arrived, they quickly determined that Pam was a Level 1 Trauma case, the title reserved for the most critically injured.
Pam was rushed to the Level 1 Trauma Center at John C. Lincoln Hospital North Mountain.
"I remember how odd it was to be watching everything from the inside—from the point of view of a patient," Pam recalls. "It was like watching a well-coordinated dance. Everyone at John C.’s Trauma Center knew their jobs and worked incredibly as a team.
"Because I’ve worked with so many hospitals, I’ve seen less-than-stellar patient care. The staff at John C. Lincoln treated me like I would want to be treated—every single one of them."
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| Pam Greer is back on road, thanks to Trauma Care from John C. Lincoln Hospital, which has been awarded Magnet designation by the American Nurses Association. |
Pam was so impressed by her care at John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital that she wrote a letter of thanks to those who had helped to save her life.
"I consider it a privilege to let those nurses know how much I appreciate them," Pam says. "Nurses can do their jobs minimally or go above and beyond. I don’t remember any one of them—nurses, techs, doctors—who wasn’t comforting and concerned. They didn’t make me feel like I was just part of their job. They were very generous and giving of themselves."
John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital’s
"Magnet" Designation Makes a Difference
Often, the general public will judge a hospital by its patient care. While that’s a good indicator, if people really want to know the difference between a mediocre hospital and an outstanding one, they should ask the harshest of critics, the people who really know what should go on in a hospital to ensure excellent patient care. They should ask nurses.
The American Nurses Association gives its top honor of "Magnet" status to the few hospitals in the nation that meet their rigorous standards—so rigorous, in fact, that it has been achieved by only the top two percent of hospitals nationwide. This "seal of approval" is one of the most coveted designations that hospitals can receive.
Recently, John C. Lincoln Hospital North Mountain joined the ranks of respected hospitals, such as Cedars-Sinai and Johns Hopkins, when it was granted "Magnet" status for its outstanding nursing services. It’s the first hospital in the Valley to achieve such a distinction. All Magnet hospitals must earn the status by meeting or exceeding more than 14 rigorous standards shown to improve patient care and outcomes.
"Magnet hospitals represent the ultimate in patient advocacy. We’re constantly striving to make our patient care better," says Karen Bauer, clinical director of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at the North Mountain hospital.
We’re thrilled to receive this designation, which signifies excellence in all areas of nursing," says Rhonda Forsyth, CEO. "But what means most—not only to us, but to those we serve—is that hospitals that achieve Magnet are known for doing the right things to achieve the best results for their patients. The hallmark of Magnet hospitals is how they enable the bedside nurse to take appropriate actions on behalf of their patients."
The Magnet Experience
According to nursing professionals, the quality of the nurse at the bedside makes the biggest difference between hospitals that are deemed magnet facilities and those that aren’t.
"Anyone who’s been a patient knows that when you’re in the hospital, your nurse becomes one of the most important people in your life," says Kathy Player, RN, president of the Arizona Nursing Association, an affiliate of the American Nurses Association. "Being in a Magnet hospital means you have the best-trained nurses working in a supportive environment that fosters their ability to give excellent care."
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John C. Lincoln's emergency teams are always ready to help. |
David H. Drachler, MD, of Affiliated Chest Physicians, Ltd., agrees. "Patients want to come to a hospital where everyone—from administration to physicians to medical personnel—is focused on achieving the best outcomes for patients. Magnet status celebrates that coming of age in the nursing profession. It’s now not only okay for nurses to work in partnership with doctors, it’s expected."
Patients can tell the difference by the deeper level of care they receive from a Magnet hospital.
"From the moment I was brought through the doors to the trauma room, my every need was addressed by caring and competent people," Pam remembers. "One nurse held my hand and assured me that she would be there waiting for me when my tests were finished. One rubbed lotion on my aching back. Everyone was eager to help."
Greater Physician-Nurse Collaboration
Surveys of staff nurses at the not-for-profit North Mountain hospital indicate much more positive interactions and supportive practice between RNs and physicians than the national norm even when compared to other Magnet hospitals.
"I see a lot of collaboration with doctors and ancillary therapists—the network works," says Linda Lindberg, a cardiovascular clinical care nurse at the North Mountain hospital. "My dad needs a value replacement and I’m sending him here to John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital because as a nurse, I know and trust the quality of care my dad will receive."
Cardiovascular critical care nurse Susan Burr adds, "Magnet has put more emphasis on a good physician-nurse relationship. It’s more of a collaborative effort than a dictatorial one. The teamwork and professionalism here is far greater than any place else I’ve seen in my career."
The Magnet Attraction
The term is "Magnet" because association with the designation when it was found that hospitals meeting the Magnet standards had the ability to "attract" the most qualified nurses, even as the quality of health care is endangered by a national nursing shortage.
Magnet facilities that are able to fill nursing vacancies offer patients a notable difference, explains Linda. "A great benefit to patients is having enough staff available to provide the quality care for a patient's medical and emotional needs. I always like to feel like I’ve had the time to pamper my patients.
"Today, I helped a patient in severe respiratory distress. We responded as a team. The patient said through his oxygen mask, ‘I want you to know how much I appreciate you.’ To me, that is the fulfillment of my desire to be a bedside nurse. It was precious."
Before working at John C. Lincoln, Linda saw how hospitals that aren’t "magnets" for nurses work. "In my past experience, some hospitals will throw nurses into the fire without the proper training. They will put them in critical situations they are not trained for or comfortable with."
Sue Hanauer, RN, Vice President of Patient Care for John C. Lincoln Hospital North Mountain, points to education as a key to Magnet designation. She cites the high number of her hospital’s nurses who have advanced credentials in their nursing specialty.
"You don’t have to move beyond your RN to be a hospital nurse, but in Magnet hospitals, it becomes the norm to seek extra training and certification in a nursing specialty such as cardiology," Sue says. "You work with highly educated nurses and you’re given the support to join their ranks."
The Nurse-Physician Partnership
The Magnet process stresses the importance of nurses enrolling in continuing education, as well as hospitals offering a variety of ongoing classes and seminars. One of the many programs offered at John C. Lincoln is the RN to BSDN program, a cooperative effort between the North Mountain hospital and Grand Canyon University.
Cardiovascular critical nurse Susan Burr I attends BSN classes once a week on the hospital campus. In her view, the opportunity helps her achieve her professional and personal goals. The coursework also boosts her confidence on the job.
"Magnet sends a signal to physicians that not only is it important to partner with nurses, but that we’re partnering with professionals who are always trying to pursue self-betterment through the continuation of their medical education," Dr. Drachler adds.
"Magnet hospitals are not only improving patient outcomes, but the nursing profession in general," says Valerie Toulec, a cardiovascular critical care nurse at John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital.
Attaining Magnet Status
Beth Houser, RN, DNSc, FNP, headed the effort to achieve Magnet status. In addition to assembling nearly 4,000 pages of required documentation, the hospital underwent an on-site survey conducted by representatives of the American Nurses Association. The two-year process included meeting 14 rigorous standards shown to improve patient care and outcomes. Falling short in even one standard would have disqualified the hospital from earning Magnet designation, regardless of performance on the remaining standards.
"We’ve known all along that what we have here is unique and outstanding, but it was wonderful to hear that others recognize it, too," Beth says. "Achieving Magnet is really the platinum standard that holds us up as a model for others to emulate."
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| Pam Greer can appreciate the life-saving efforts of the North Mountain Trauma Center. She's an EMT at a local hospital. |
In fact, the credentialing body for Magnet created the status for just that purpose: To hold up models that should be replicated by other hospitals throughout the country. Only three percent of hospitals nationwide have been deemed such model facilities. In Arizona, only The University Medical Center in Tucson joins John C. Lincoln on that list.
Sharon Mailey, RN, PhD, a national thought leader in health care and a retired Brigadier General in the Air Force, was one of the surveyors who probed hospital records, interviewed staff, observed patient care, dissected processes and determined whether there was sufficient evidence of excellence to name John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital as a Magnet facility.
"The scrutiny is intense, but it’s part of what makes Magnet status so meaningful—especially to patients," says Sue. "It can be difficult to for consumers to judge the true quality and skills at a hospital, but they can be assured that a Magnet hospital has received a ‘seal of approval’ from the harshest of critics: nursing experts with the highest of standards."
When asked for her reaction to learning that John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital was designated as a Magnet hospital, Pam Greer sums it up nicely, "I’m not surprised at all. I’m living testimony to their quality of care."
Pam Greer’s Letter to Dan Coleman,
CEO of John C. Lincoln Health Network
I wanted to write a special note to tell you more precisely how I was treated while a patient at John C. Lincoln.
I am in the medical field. As an employee of St. Luke’s Hospital, an EMT, I have seen hospitals from the other side. I am well aware of the golden reputation that JCL enjoys, but I now can say I know that reputation is well deserved.
From the moment I was brought through the doors to the trauma room, my every need was addressed by caring and competent people. I can remember nurses and techs: Kim, Kathy, Mike, Cindy and Tammy from ICU; Gary, who did my scans; and other names I am sorry I can’t remember. One nurse held my hand and assured me she would be there and waiting for me when my tests were finished. One rubbed lotion on my aching back. Everyone was eager to help. The physician staff is top-rated, and I was particularly impressed with Dr. Richie’s kind manner.
I have absolutely no complaints about any part of my hospital stay—NONE. I will join the other patients who speak highly of JCL North Mountain, and thank you for this opportunity to give kudos to your wonderful staff. Many thanks!
- Pam Greer |