SILVER SPRING, Md. and KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 9, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and Cerner Corporation (Nasdaq:CERN), a leading supplier of healthcare information technology (HIT), announced Abington Memorial Hospital (AMH) as the winner of the 2008 Magnet Prize at the National Magnet Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the Salt Palace Convention Center, Oct. 15-17. This award recognizes innovative nursing programs and practices in ANCC Magnet-recognized organizations.
Only ANCC Magnet-designated organizations are eligible for the prize. The Magnet Recognition Program(r) was developed to recognize organizations that elevate healthcare by developing new and innovative policies and procedures that strengthen patient care through the nursing profession. Abington's accomplishments are reflective of an institution that maintains the highest levels of excellence. This year's choice recognizes excellence in the development of the Daily "CARE" Program, which strives to include patients in their own care by, for example, providing them with standardized information upon admission and discharge from the hospital. This, along with other innovations, promotes the delivery of patient-centered, high-quality care.
"Patients are kept informed about the medications they are receiving, tests and procedures scheduled for the day, and other pertinent information, such as allergies and advance directives," said Barbara Wadsworth, chief nursing officer, AMH. "Using layperson's language, the Daily CARE Plan encourages the patient to become a partner in their plan of care as the patient accesses and reviews information pertinent to their hospitalization."
"It becomes increasingly clear that as healthcare continues to evolve, our policies and procedures for patient care must evolve as well. The Daily 'CARE' Program exemplifies this philosophy by creating a system that both educates patients and enables them to participate in the best care for them," says ANCC president, Debbie Hatmaker, PhD, RN, SANE-A.
"We are so pleased once again to be the sponsor of the ANCC Magnet Prize Award, which is the pinnacle of innovation and quality in Magnet Hospitals. Awarding Abington this year with the ANCC Magnet Prize allows us to highlight an organization that has moved beyond simple technology system outputs and created innovation with patients at the heart of this effort. It is always exciting to see patients engaged and involved in driving the innovation in healthcare. After all, it is the patients that drive the innovation in quality outcomes," said Roy L. Simpson RN, FNAP, FAAN, Cerner vice president of nursing.
About the Magnet Prize
In 2002, ANCC established The Magnet Prize(tm) to be presented to a Magnet-recognized facility whose nursing staff spearheaded exemplary achievements in nursing, including program innovations, technology innovations, applied translational innovations, distinguished accomplishments in research, or panoramic excellence in practice. This award serves as a means for acknowledging peak performance within credentialed Magnet organizations.
About Abington Memorial Hospital
Abington Memorial Hospital is a 570-bed, acute care teaching hospital with a medical staff of more than 900 physicians and more than 5,000 employees. These professionals provide medical care and health services to residents of Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. A regional provider, Abington Memorial Hospital has the only Level II accredited trauma center in Montgomery County and offers highly specialized services in cardiac care, cancer care, neurosciences, orthopedics and maternal child health. Please visit www.amh.org to learn more.
About Cerner Corporation
Cerner Corp. is taking the paper chart out of healthcare, eliminating error, variance and waste in the care process. With more than 6,000 clients worldwide, Cerner is the leading supplier of healthcare information technology. The following are trademarks of Cerner: Cerner. (Nasdaq:CERN). For more information about Cerner, please visit our Web site at www.cerner.com.
About ANCC
The American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) internationally renowned credentialing programs certify nurses in specialty practice areas, recognize healthcare organizations for nursing excellence through the Magnet Recognition Program(r), and accredit providers of continuing nursing education. In addition, ANCC offers an array of informational and educational services and products to support its core credentialing programs. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA) and more information can be found at www.nursecredentialing.org