The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Achieves Magnet Designation Again
- Written by on March 4, 2010
RIC nurses (left to right): Arlene Dalisan, Allison Burns, Svetlanna Janssen, Bev Tann, Laura Ferrio, Nancy Kasprzyk, Caryn Summerville and Arlynne Ostlund
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) was granted Magnet Recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program® for excellence in nursing services, making RIC the first, freestanding rehabilitation hospital in the nation to receive two, consecutive Magnet Recognition designations.
This Magnet designation indicates that RIC’s nursing practice exceeds the nation’s highest standards of excellence in the healthcare field. In fact, this moves RIC into an elite group of only 2% of the nation’s nearly 6,000 hospitals that have achieved two, consecutive Magnet recognition designations.
“To earn Magnet status once is a tremendous accomplishment demonstrating RIC’s commitment to excellence,” says Laura Ferrio, RN, MSN, MBA, CRRN, vice president of patient care services and chief nurse executive (CNE). “To retain Magnet status for another four years really emphasizes RIC’s dedication to consistently meeting the highest standards of care possible to advance patient ability at RIC.”
According to the ANCC, RIC was granted recognition primarily due to a strong exhibition of excellent patient outcomes and use of innovative nursing practices to deliver the highest quality of patient-centered care.
“Achieving this consecutive Magnet recognition demonstrates RIC’s commitment to nursing and the importance of nursing in achieving great patient outcomes,” says Joanne C. Smith, MD, president & CEO. “Nurses are the keystones in RIC’s unique model of care and this Magnet designation reflects the importance of the nurse in fueling RIC’s vision to advance patient ability—our ultimate purpose— helping patients to recover and return to the joys of life.”
The Magnet designation is widely accepted as the gold standard of patient care recognizing excellence and professionalism in nursing. Applicants undergo an extensive evaluation, and members who are awarded Magnet status must continue to maintain rigorous standards as part of their four-year designation.
