IU Health AAHC celebrates fifth Magnet redesignation

Less than 1% of hospitals have achieved this milestone.

Last week, the IU Health adult academic health center received a call from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), announcing its fifth Magnet redesignation.

Magnet hospitals are considered to be the gold standard for nursing practice and innovation. These organizations must meet specific quality and safety benchmarks and demonstrate support for nurses through every career stage – offering education, professional development and opportunities for nurses to share their voices. The redesignation process is rigorous and culminates with a site visit. At the AAHC, ANCC appraisers completed a site visit earlier this fall.

Of the approximately 6,000 hospitals in the United States, less than 1 percent have achieved five Magnet certifications, according to Becker’s Hospital Review. The AAHC now joins this elite group.

“Thank you for sharing your voice and demonstrating how nurses make a difference at the AAHC. This is an incredible accomplishment,” said Amanda Noth-Matchett, chief nursing officer at the AAHC, after receiving the news. Dozens of nurses and team members at both IU Health Methodist and University hospitals were present during the announcement and celebrated the milestone together. View a video of the announcement below.

Noth-Matchett and Magnet Program Manager Belinda Wallbank recognized all of the nurses and interdisciplinary team members who contributed to this achievement. From serving on the Magnet Taskforce, to being a Magnet guide during the site visit, to meeting with appraisers, to simply offering exceptional care, many team members made this redesignation possible.

The AAHC was also recognized with four exemplars, or categories where it outperformed national averages. One exemplar recognized that more than 80% of professional nurses at the AAHC have earned a baccalaureate degree in nursing, or higher. Another celebrated that the AAHC has outperformed the national mean for device-related Hospital Acquired Pressure Injury (HAPI) data. And two more exemplars showcased excellence within ambulatory settings at the AAHC, where nurse-sensitive clinical indicator data outperformed the national median.

Congratulations to all of the nurses and team members who contributed to this accomplishment.