Fremont, Calif. – Washington Hospital, the local provider of health care for the
Tri-City area and one of the region’s best medical facilities, has
been granted Magnet® status recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
“Back in 1994 when I became CEO of Washington Hospital, we made a
strategic decision to invest in our nurses as a critical element to our
overall success and delivery of health care to our residents,” said
Nancy Farber, chief executive officer of Washington Hospital Healthcare
System. “We implemented a high nurse to patient ratio before it
was mandated by the state of California. Today’s honor of receiving
this Magnet® designation is a direct product of that investment and
a great testament to our nurses, our management team and our Board.”
A designation by the Magnet Recognition Program® means that the hospital
provides a superior level of health care for patients, displays innovative
practices and employs nurses as part of its team who perform excellent
work. Washington Hospital is only the fifth hospital in the Bay Area and
24th in California to achieve this recognition. Only 6.7 percent of hospitals
in the United States have earned this status.
“We are dedicated to attracting and nurturing a staff of highly trained
and experienced nurses who are passionate about working together to achieve
the best possible outcomes for our patients,” says Jan Wood, R.N.,
senior associate administrator and chief nursing officer. “We are
transforming the culture of our nursing staff to focus on exemplary professional
practice. This mind-set and an excellent patient care model are the characteristics
of nursing that bring quality care to life.”
A Magnet® designation is the highest level of recognition that a hospital
can achieve for nursing excellence and helps attract the highest quality
talent in the medical field. Washington Hospital has also been recognized
for demonstrating seven exemplary practice areas, ranging from a patient
first ethic to a focus on staff education and training. Washington’s
commitment to education and the advanced degrees that a large percentage
of the nursing staff has is a reflection of the high quality care that
patients receive.
“The Magnet Recognition Program® recognizes health care organizations
that provide nursing excellence,” said Patricia Danielson, RHIT,
president of Washington Township Health Care District Board of Directors.
“Evidence shows that Magnet® hospitals have better outcomes
with fewer complications, lower mortality rates, more satisfied patients
and more satisfied nurses.”
Washington Township Health Care District is governed by an elected board
and includes Washington Hospital Healthcare System. Unlike a municipal
or county hospital, Washington Hospital’s operating expenses, research,
community programs, and employee salaries are funded by revenues generated
through providing patient and other health care services. Washington Hospital
Healthcare System includes a 359-bed acute-care hospital; the Taylor McAdam
Bell Neuroscience Institute; The Gamma Knife® Center; Washington Radiation
Oncology Center; Washington Outpatient Surgery Center; Washington Outpatient
Rehabilitation Center; Washington Outpatient Catheterization Laboratory;
Washington Center for Joint Replacement; the Institute for Minimally Invasive
and Robotic Surgery; and Washington West, a complex which houses Washington
Women’s Center, Outpatient Imaging Center and additional outpatient
hospital services and administrative facilities.