Washington Hospital Earns Magnet Status Designation

Fremont, Calif. – Washington Hospital, the local provider of health care for the Tri-City area and one of the region’s best medical facilities, has been granted Magnet® status recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

“Back in 1994 when I became CEO of Washington Hospital, we made a strategic decision to invest in our nurses as a critical element to our overall success and delivery of health care to our residents,” said Nancy Farber, chief executive officer of Washington Hospital Healthcare System. “We implemented a high nurse to patient ratio before it was mandated by the state of California. Today’s honor of receiving this Magnet® designation is a direct product of that investment and a great testament to our nurses, our management team and our Board.” A designation by the Magnet Recognition Program® means that the hospital provides a superior level of health care for patients, displays innovative practices and employs nurses as part of its team who perform excellent work. Washington Hospital is only the fifth hospital in the Bay Area and 24th in California to achieve this recognition. Only 6.7 percent of hospitals in the United States have earned this status.

“We are dedicated to attracting and nurturing a staff of highly trained and experienced nurses who are passionate about working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients,” says Jan Wood, R.N., senior associate administrator and chief nursing officer. “We are transforming the culture of our nursing staff to focus on exemplary professional practice. This mind-set and an excellent patient care model are the characteristics of nursing that bring quality care to life.”

A Magnet® designation is the highest level of recognition that a hospital can achieve for nursing excellence and helps attract the highest quality talent in the medical field. Washington Hospital has also been recognized for demonstrating seven exemplary practice areas, ranging from a patient first ethic to a focus on staff education and training. Washington’s commitment to education and the advanced degrees that a large percentage of the nursing staff has is a reflection of the high quality care that patients receive.

“The Magnet Recognition Program® recognizes health care organizations that provide nursing excellence,” said Patricia Danielson, RHIT, president of Washington Township Health Care District Board of Directors. “Evidence shows that Magnet® hospitals have better outcomes with fewer complications, lower mortality rates, more satisfied patients and more satisfied nurses.”

Washington Township Health Care District is governed by an elected board and includes Washington Hospital Healthcare System. Unlike a municipal or county hospital, Washington Hospital’s operating expenses, research, community programs, and employee salaries are funded by revenues generated through providing patient and other health care services. Washington Hospital Healthcare System includes a 359-bed acute-care hospital; the Taylor McAdam Bell Neuroscience Institute; The Gamma Knife® Center; Washington Radiation Oncology Center; Washington Outpatient Surgery Center; Washington Outpatient Rehabilitation Center; Washington Outpatient Catheterization Laboratory; Washington Center for Joint Replacement; the Institute for Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery; and Washington West, a complex which houses Washington Women’s Center, Outpatient Imaging Center and additional outpatient hospital services and administrative facilities.