Reading Hospital Receives Magnet® Redesignation

Reading Hospital - Tower Health has the received Magnet® designation for Nursing Excellence from The American Nurses Credentialing Center(ANCC) for the third consecutive time.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet Recognition Program®distinguishes healthcare organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. This credential is the highest national honor for professional nursing practice.

The national organization officially announced the news to nursing staff during a live watch party with David R. Marshall, JD, DNP, RN, CENP, NEA-BC, the Chair of the Commission for the Magnet Recognition Program, on Thursday, Dec. 18. The hospital received its first Magnet Designation in August 2016 and redesignation in June 2021.

"Getting to the top takes dedication but staying there defines excellence," said Michael Stern, Tower Health president and CEO. "The clinical quality provided at Reading Hospital is remarkable. Across the board, our team members strive for greatness and that is reflected in our Magnet® Redesignation."

Lisa Lougheed, PhD, MSN, RN-BC, NEA- BC, FABC, FACHE, chief nursing officer at Tower Health and Reading Hospital, agreed. She applauded hospital staff, including the Magnet Championship Team, for their incredible diligence and dedication during the substantial Magnet review process.

"Receiving this designation three consecutive times is no easy feat," she said. "It underscores the exemplary ways our team continues to shine and remain committed to evidence-based practices to help the health and healing of our patients and community."

Marshall shared the council unanimously voted for Reading Hospital to receive Magnet® Redesignation status. He also highlighted four exemplar areas:

• Performed better than the national average in preventing device related pressure injuries in the inpatient units during the past eight quarters
• Had fewer surgical errors than the national average in ambulatory care settings during the past eight quarters
• Strategic leadership led significantly improved workforce outcomes and advanced organizational performance.
• The collaborative workflow redesign between nurses, physicians, patient care assistants, and support staff in the emergency department to provide timely, patient-centered care

Magnet designation lasts for four years, and healthcare organizations seeking redesignation must demonstrate adherence to Magnet concepts and improvements in patient care and quality. An organization reapplying for Magnet recognition must provide documented evidence to demonstrate how staff members sustained and improved Magnet concepts, performance, and quality during the four-year period since the organization received its current recognition.

"We are proud to celebrate our Magnet® redesignation," said Dr. Charles F. Barbera, president and CEO at Reading Hospital. "An award of this caliber takes collaboration and dedication across the organization. It also reinforces that our team provides the best clinical care for our friends and neighbors."