Newswise — SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA (June 20, 2016) – UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica has attained Magnet recognition as part of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program. The credential recognizes excellence in nursing and is the highest honor a healthcare organization can receive for professional nursing practice.

“Magnet recognition is a tremendous honor and reflects our commitment to delivering the highest quality of care to this community,” said Karen Grimley, chief nurse executive at UCLA Health. “It is an incredible source of pride, as it underscores the hospital nursing staff’s tremendous dedication to their profession and the patients they serve.”

Magnet recognition has become the gold standard for nursing excellence and is taken into consideration when the public assesses the quality of healthcare organizations. In fact, 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.

To achieve initial Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. The process begins with the submission of an application, followed by documentation demonstrating qualitative and quantitative evidence regarding patient care and outcomes. If scores from the documentation are within a specific range of excellence, credentialing officials will schedule an on-site visit to thoroughly assess the institution. After this rigorous onsite review, which includes assessment of the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, the Commission on Magnet Recognition votes to determine whether Magnet recognition will be granted.

Less than 8 percent of U.S. hospitals have earned Magnet recognition.

“UCLA nurses in Santa Monica have a passion for being the best in the world, and they share that passion with the entire UCLA Health organization,” said K. David Bailey, interim chief nursing officer for UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica. “Being recognized and honored for that commitment will only strengthen our dedication to patient healing.”

About UCLA Health UCLA Health has provided high quality healthcare and the most advanced treatment options to the people of the greater Los Angeles region and the world for more than 60 years. UCLA Health includes four hospitals on two campuses – Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center; UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica; Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA; and Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA – and more than 150 primary and specialty offices throughout Southern California. UCLA Health is consistently ranked as one of the top hospitals and the best in the western United States in the national rankings by U.S. News and World Report. For more information, visit www.uclahealth.org.

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