UK HealthCare regains prestigious nursing honor

UK HealthCare has regained “Magnet Status,” which University of Kentucky officials said Wednesday was the highest institutional honor for nursing care.

The honor comes from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program. UK first received the award in 2001, then lost it in 2011 when a review found lower scores in patient and nursing satisfaction.

“Magnet recognition is a mind-set and an approach in patient-centered care,” said UK HealthCare chief nursing executive Colleen Swartz. “Our team has been extremely dedicated, focused and committed in achieving this goal, and it shows in every interaction we have with patients and their families.”

UK HealthCare has 4,473 nursing services employees including 2,006 full-time registered nurses.

In Wednesday’s news release, UK officials said they lost the designation when the program was restructured. In 2011, officials said it was merely one of many recognition programs. Officials said UK HealthCare started to reevaluate its nursing program by studying its nursing strategic plan, identifying areas of needed improvement and developing accountability measures.

“Our nursing staff have worked very hard to achieve this important distinction and have been committed to this goal and truly deserve this magnet recognition,” said Dr. Michael Karpf, UK executive vice president for health affairs.

The award is based on numerous written evaluations and on-site visits.

Hospitals must apply for magnet recognition every four years. Baptist Health Lexington has received the designation since 2005.

This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 5:39 PM with the headline "UK HealthCare regains prestigious nursing honor."