St. Christopher's Hospital for Children Earns National Recognition for Nursing Excellence

St. Christopher's Hospital for Children has achieved Magnet designation for excellence in nursing services by the American Nurses Credential Center's (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program. Magnet recognition is one of the highest levels of recognition a hospital or medical center can achieve.

The Magnet recognition is a tremendous achievement for St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, but it doesn't change who we are, says Karen Blount, M.S.N., R.N., P.N.P., chief nursing officer of St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. It simply recognizes the excellent work our nurses do each day and reflects the commitment of our entire staff to serve as a team, providing the highest quality care possible for the people of our community.

The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes health care organizations that demonstrate excellence in nursing practice and adherence to national standards for the organization and delivery of nursing services. Applicants undergo a rigorous evaluation that includes extensive interviews and review of nursing services. Research shows there are clear benefits to hospitals that are awarded Magnet status and to the communities they serve:

• Healthcare consumers have more confidence in the overall quality of a hospital if it has achieved the level of excellence established by the Magnet Recognition Program.
• Magnet recognized facilities consistently outperform other facilities in recruiting and retaining nurses resulting in increased stability in patient care and patient satisfaction.
• Because quality nursing is one of the most important factors in enlisting high caliber physicians and specialists, Magnet status becomes an attractive force that extends to the entire facility.

ANCC is the largest and most prominent nursing credentialing organization in the United States. St. Christopher's Hospital for Children's Magnet status is valid for four years.

St. Christopher's Hospital for Children is a 189-bed pediatric hospital located in Philadelphia. The hospital provides a wide range of pediatric medical and surgical specialties through its affiliation with Drexel University College of Medicine and Temple University School of Medicine. With a medical staff of more than 270 pediatric specialists, St. Christopher's is a Regional Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and provides programs such as kidney and bone marrow transplantation, minimally invasive surgery, and open heart surgery for the children of the greater Philadelphia area and from around the world. The hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission, the nation's oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.