The American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program awarded the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) its prestigious Magnet designation on June 23, 2009. The Magnet program recognizes nursing excellence "in the delivery of care to patients, promoting quality health care services in an environment that supports professional nursing practice, and providing a mechanism for the dissemination of best practices in nursing services."
AUBMC is the first healthcare institution in the Middle East and the third in the world outside the United States to receive this award. Magnet-recognized organizations set the global standard for professional nursing care and innovative health care reform that fully meet the needs of patients, families, and communities. Only five percent of all US hospitals have Magnet status.
"This is an extraordinary achievement that attests to the dramatic changes that have taken place at the AUB Medical Center in recent years, particularly related to nursing services," said Nadim Cortas, vice president for medical affairs and Raja N. Khuri Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. "Having Magnet status recognizes the first rate care we provide our patients today and is a sign of our dedication to offer the best nursing services in the region in the future."
The decision to apply for Magnet status in 2003 marked both the culmination of a long process to rebuild nursing services at the hospital after the 15-year Lebanese civil war and the beginning of an ambitious campaign to transform the practice of nursing at AUBMC and to set new nursing standards for the region.
President Peter Dorman congratulated VP Nadim Cortas, Assistant Hospital Director Gladys Mouro, and the entire AUBMC team for "their dedication and commitment to care for the people of Lebanon and the region."
"I decided to embark on the Magnet journey the moment I recognized that it would raise the bar of quality to a level of excellence for our patients who deserve the very best,” explained Mouro, who spearheaded the six-year effort to secure Magnet recognition.
During the six-year Magnet application process, Mouro and her colleagues introduced comprehensive changes to improve nursing practice at the Medical Center that were confirmed by a team of three appraisers from the US-based ANCC in April 2009.
In his remarks, Medical Center Director Munthir Kuzayli noted that the Magnet journey had been a team effort. "The hard work and deep commitment of the nursing leadership and the nursing staff at large as well as the serious and ongoing support of the Medical Center leadership and community converged positively toward Magnet recognition of AUBMC. We will build on this success in the years to come."
Mouro echoed his comments and noted, "We would not have succeeded without the serious and tireless efforts of so many people at this institution. That's what we do at AUBMC. We strive for the impossible and make it happen. That's what makes this place unique."
Founded in 1866, the American University of Beirut bases its educational philosophy, standards, and practices on the American liberal arts model of higher education. A teaching-centered research university, AUB has a faculty of 606 full-time faculty members and a student body of more than 7,500 students. AUBMC is the private, not-for-profit teaching center of the Faculty of Medicine. It consists of a 420-bed medical center and provides medical, surgical, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecological, and psychiatric services. The Medical Center offers comprehensive healthcare services, extensive tertiary/quaternary resources, medical, nursing, and paramedical training.
Source: American University of Beirut; PRNewswire