Aspirus Wausau Hospital earns third straight Magnet® designation
Contact: Greg Aune, (715) 847-0479
WAUSAU, Wis. – For the third consecutive time, Aspirus Wausau Hospital has achieved Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
The four-year Magnet designation is the nation’s highest recognition of nursing excellence. When Aspirus Wausau Hospital was first designated a Magnet facility in 2005 it was the 141st hospital to achieve the milestone. Since then, the number of Magnet facilities has grown to about 400 (out of nearly 6,000 hospitals nationwide), but only an elite few have satisfied the programs rigorous requirements three times.
“This tremendous achievement is a testament to the quality of this organization and its people,” said Kathy Drengler, RN, Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. “To have achieved this three consecutive times further establishes Aspirus as one of the best health care providers in the country.”
Magnet designation is awarded to health care organizations that provide the very best in nursing care. According to ANCC, research has shown that Magnet hospitals have better patient outcomes and higher patient satisfaction.
To earn the designation, hospitals must meet stringent ANCC standards for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. There are 89 standards that hospitals must meet in order to earn Magnet designation.
“Magnet designation is difficult to achieve, and it becomes even more difficult to earn re-designation each time because the standards continuously change and we have to demonstrate constant improvement and results,” Drengler said.
