Magnet hospitals are honored for creating an environment that attracts and retains well-qualified nurses who deliver outstanding patient care in innovative ways to produce excellent patient outcomes. "Nursing excellence is not defined by one component or even a list of components. It is a culture of nursing care that produces measurable outcomes. I see myself and my peers constantly seeking innovative ways to provide the highest quality care in an environment that keeps our patients safe and satisfied. The real work will be to maintain the designation. Re-designation has higher requirements so we will be constantly reexamining ourselves through best practices to increase our benefit to the health of our community," said Terry Kluh, RN, Surgical Short Stay Unit.

Magnet surveyors spent three days onsite interviewing patients, hospital staff and community partners to determine that the quality of patient care for our community was among the highest in the nation. "The designation could not have occurred without every department in the hospital. This honor exemplifies our nurses' commitment to exceptional care, an interdisciplinary team, and our goal to recruit and retain the highest caliber of health care professionals," said Connie Huber, R.N., Vice President / Chief Nursing Officer. "Achieving Magnet status is a measurable outcome of our staff's dedication to innovative and compassionate care of our patients, their families and the communities they serve," said Medrice Coluccio, the hospital's chief executive.  The official press release can be read here.

Only two other hospitals in Washington State, the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital, have garnered this top honor.