Bronson Methodist Hospital Achieves 4th Magnet Recognition^® - The Highest National Honor for Professional Nursing Practice

For the fourth time in a row, Bronson Methodist Hospital (BMH) has attained Magnet recognition® from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) for meeting rigorous standards for nursing excellence. BMH is the only Magnet^® hospital in southwest Michigan.

Magnet^® status is the gold standard for professional nursing practice and only 3% of U.S. hospitals have achieved it four times in a row.

“We are extremely proud of our nurses and the excellent care they provide to Bronson patients and their families,” said Marla Atkinson, vice president and chief nursing officer. “Receiving Magnet^® status for the fourth time in a row is a huge honor. It recognizes our nurses for their knowledge, experience and commitment, and their consistency in delivering exceptional patient experiences.”

The Commission on Magnet^® noted several exemplars for Bronson Methodist Hospital, including:

• ​OBI team interprofessional collaborative practice to ensure coordination of care across the spectrum of healthcare services decreases C-section rates: Maternal morbidity and severe neonatal morbidity were also below the MI collaborative average with the 12th lowest C-section rate out of 66 OBI hospitals.
• Emergency Department Performance Improvement (EDPI) team created an interprofessional collaborative plan of care aimed at improving care for patients with opioid use disorder. Thanks to this program, 60% of patients visited a recovery coach and there was an overall decrease in the percentage of overdose events.
• Inpatient patient satisfaction:
  • Patient Education
  • Care Coordination
  • Courtesy and Respect
• Nurse sensitive clinical indicators:
  • Inpatient Device-Related Hospital Acquired Pressure Injury
  • Ambulatory Surgical Errors Data

Research shows that Magnet^®-recognized organizations have higher patient satisfaction, better patient outcomes, increased nurse satisfaction and improved safety and quality.

“Magnet recognition^® validates the exceptional care our nurses provide and further validates our organization’s commitment to advancing the health of our communities,” said Kim Hatchel, Bronson Methodist Hospital’s chief operating officer. “Doing something once is impressive, however, sustaining high performance and achieving consistent results over time speaks to culture. At Bronson Methodist Hospital, we are fortunate to have a culture of nursing excellence where every nurse contributes to the high standards that Magnet^® status represents.”

To achieve Magnet recognition^®, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. This process includes an electronic and written application, an on-site visit, and a review by the Commission on Magnet^®. Hospitals must reapply for Magnet recognition^® every four years based on adherence to Magnet^® concepts and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality.

Magnet recognition^® for Bronson Methodist Hospital comes on the heels of several other national honors for the health system. Bronson Healthcare was named by Fortune and PINC AI as one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems in 2023.  It is also ranked by Forbes as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers (2022-23), by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women (2023) and by the National Association for Business Resources as one of the 2023 Top 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For.