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Proven Nurses at PinnacleHealth: PinnacleHealth Achieves Prestigious National Magnet Status

Posted on: Wednesday, 20 December 2006, 15:00 CST

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At approximately 1:15 p.m. today, PinnacleHealth nurses' cheers could be heard throughout our hospitals upon the announcement of PinnacleHealth's achievement of Magnet Status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Magnet is the highest national recognition for Nursing Excellence.

Of some 6,000 hospitals in the country, only 2 percent have achieved Magnet status. PinnacleHealth's designation brings Pennsylvania's number to 10 honored by ANCC's Magnet Program. The Magnet designation lasts for four years, after which the system will have to reapply and go through the lengthy process again.

"We are honored by the Magnet recognition and proud of all PinnacleHealth employees for reaching this hallmark of nursing excellence. Magnet recognition demonstrates the importance of our nurses to the success of the entire organization. It also shows PinnacleHealth's dedication to attracting and retaining highly qualified nurses," said Sheri Matter, V.P. of Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer at PinnacleHealth.

The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes healthcare organizations that provide the highest quality nursing care and a professional environment that supports opportunities for growth and development of nursing staff. It is the most prestigious recognition that the ANCC can bestow. Magnet Status is granted only to hospitals that undergo a rigorous, voluntary evaluation process.

PinnacleHealth began their journey to Magnet status two years ago. Nurses and staff worked diligently to prepare a 1,172-page document that provided evidence of excellence in nursing practices at PinnacleHealth. The document was submitted to the ANCC in July 2006. Upon receiving an "excellent" rating from the ANCC, a four-day site visit was scheduled in October 2006, during which an appraiser team "clarified, amplified, and verified" that what is in the document is actually lived out and practiced throughout PinnacleHealth. Only 75 percent of hospitals that apply for Magnet receive a site visit. And only about 60 percent of those who apply receive the Magnet designation.

Recognizing quality patient care and nursing excellence, the Magnet Recognition Program(R) provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark to measure the quality of care that they can expect to receive.

"Our staff proves everyday why we're the proven choice for quality healthcare in Central Pennsylvania. We've consistently achieved various consumer and employment-related distinctions during the past several years including Harrisburg Magazine's 'Simply the Best' and the Central Penn Business Journal's 'Best Places to Work,' but this designation is for a very select of healthcare providers and for that I am extremely proud," stated Roger Longenderfer, president & CEO of PinnacleHealth.

The Magnet designation was bestowed to the following entities of PinnacleHealth System: Harrisburg, Community General and Polyclinic Hospitals.

PinnacleHealth is a network of hospitals, an urgent care facility, physician practices, home health and hospice outreach services. The continuum of care sites are conveniently located in Berks, Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, Schuylkill and York counties providing access to leading quality care. For a complete listing of services and locations near you, visit http://www.pinnaclehealth.org/.

CONTACT: Kim A. Payne, Senior Public Relations Representative, PinnacleHealth System, +1-717-231-8104, or kpayne@pinnaclehealth.org

PinnacleHealth

CONTACT: Kim A. Payne, Senior Public Relations Representative,PinnacleHealth System, +1-717-231-8104, or kpayne@pinnaclehealth.org

Web site: http://www.pinnaclehealth.org/

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

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