Winchester Medical Center Achieves Magnet® Recognition, Reinforcing Its Commitment to Nursing Excellence

Winchester Medical Center has attained its fourth Magnet recognition, a testament to its continued dedication to high-quality nursing practice.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program distinguishes healthcare organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. This credential is the highest national honor for professional nursing practice. Only 10% of U.S. hospitals are Magnet designated.

“Achieving Magnet recognition is a tremendous honor for Winchester Medical Center and reflects our commitment to delivering the highest quality of care to our community,” says Valley Health Chief Nursing Executive Theresa Trivette, DNP. “Our dedicated team of nurses is proud to receive this distinction, and we hope it demonstrates how strong our commitment is to providing excellent patient care to everyone who walks through our doors.”

ANCC evaluates applicants across a number of components to gauge an organization’s nursing excellence. These include the quality of nursing leadership, coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.

“Winchester Medical Center is one of 27 Magnet organizations in Virginia,” said Sharon Pappas, chairwoman of the Commission on Magnet, during the official announcement on Wednesday. “This accomplishment is a testament to your commitment to nursing excellence. The Commission on Magnet recognizes your dedication to the nurses that practice [at WMC], to the entire healthcare team, but most importantly to the patients that you serve.”

To achieve initial Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that includes an electronic application, written patient care documentation, an on-site visit, and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition.

Healthcare organizations must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years. An organization reapplying for Magnet recognition must provide documented evidence to demonstrate how staff members sustained and improved Magnet concepts, performance and quality over the four-year period.

Winchester Medical Center was first designated a Magnet organization in 2008. It was redesignated in 2013 and 2018.

“It is our commitment to providing our community high-quality care that has helped us become a Magnet organization” said Chief Nursing Officer of WMC Kris Maddalena, MSN, RN. “It’s also what enables us to sustain this gold standard recognition of nursing excellence for a fourth consecutive period. Every day, our nurses raise the bar for patient care and inspire each other to achieve excellence. Because of this, Winchester Medical Center will remain a place where patients can receive the excellent care they expect and deserve.”

Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to healthcare organizations and their communities, such as:

• Higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information
• Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rates
• Higher job satisfaction among nurses
• Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions

Magnet recognition is also factored into hospital ranking systems. U.S. News & World Report’s annual showcase of “America’s Best Hospitals” includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care. Winchester Medical Center has consistently been named a “Best Regional Hospital” by U.S. News & World Report.