INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center is the 250th health care facility nationwide to achieve the highly coveted Magnet designation.

May 3, 2007

OKLAHOMA CITY - It’s one of the highest levels of recognition a hospital or medical center can achieve. INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center has achieved Magnet designation for excellence in nursing services by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program.®

“Magnet recognition is a tremendous achievement for INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center,” says Linda Merkey, RN, M.B.A., CNAA, and chief nursing officer. “It simply recognizes the excellent work our nurses and physicians do each day and reflects the commitment of our entire staff to serve as a team, providing the highest quality care possible for the people of our community.”

The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes health care organizations that demonstrate excellence in nursing practice and adherence to national standards for the organization and delivery of nursing services. Applicants undergo a rigorous evaluation that includes extensive interviews and review of nursing services. Research shows there are clear benefits to hospitals that are awarded Magnet status and to the communities they serve: 

• Health care consumers have more confidence in the overall quality of a hospital if it has achieved the level of excellence established by the Magnet Recognition Program.
• Magnet designated facilities consistently outperform other facilities in recruiting and retaining nurses resulting in increased stability in patient care and patient satisfaction. 
•  Because quality nursing is one of the most important factors in enlisting high caliber physicians and specialists, Magnet status becomes an attractive force that extends to the entire facility.

The ANCC is the largest and most prominent nursing credentialing organization in the United States. INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center is the 250th health care facility nationwide to achieve this highly coveted designation, and only the second Magnet facility within the state of Oklahoma.