Baylor Scott & White Health – Austin/Round Rock Region is the first healthcare system in the Austin
metro area to receive Magnet® designation for nursing excellence from the American
Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for multiple facilities in the region.

AUSTIN, Texas – Baylor Scott & White Health – Austin Region hospitals and clinics received their first region-wide Magnet® designation of nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the world’s largest and most prominent nurse-credentialing organization. This recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and provides patients with confidence that they will receive quality care at these facilities.

Fewer than 9% of U.S. hospitals, and even fewer regions, have earned this prestigious national honor. The designation involves a lengthy process and requires widespread participation from hospital leadership and care team members. It also includes a highly detailed on-site review by ANCC surveyors, who are national nursing experts. Ultimately, the designation goes to organizations where nursing leaders successfully align nursing strategic goals to improve patient experience.

"Our nurses have a passion for making healthcare better for each patient we serve, and they work tirelessly to provide the best care each and every day," said Sally Gillam, DNP, MAHS, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer, Baylor Scott & White – Austin and Hill Country regions. "This designation highlights the team’s hard work and an open environment that encourages communication, new ideas and best practices."

The process rigorously examined 90 examples demonstrating transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, and the pursuit of new knowledge, innovation and improvement.

Appraisers noted exemplary efforts in an impressive eight areas, including exceptional leadership demonstrated by encouraging nursing staff to cross-train and pursue advanced education across all nursing specialties. The team also outperformed national benchmarks for nurse satisfaction, careful listening, and courtesy and respect.

"Achieving excellence in eight categories is truly significant, especially amid a pandemic," said Gillam. "I am proud of our team for the work they do each day, and this recognition shows that they use our "never settle’ approach as a guiding light in every patient’s care. It is truly rewarding and an honor to achieve this level of recognition."

Research demonstrates that Magnet® recognition is beneficial for patients, as well as hospitals and nursing staff, resulting in:

• Higher patient satisfaction for nurse communication, availability of help and receipt of discharge information
• Lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure-to-rescue rates
• Higher job satisfaction among nurses
• Lower nurse reports of intentions to leave their positions

The Magnet® application process includes most Baylor Scott & White hospitals and clinics in the Austin region. Since the start of the application process, Baylor Scott & White has continued investing in the growing region by opening additional clinics and hospitals. Those facilities will apply for Magnet® designation in the coming months.

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About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com