WCSI Affiliate Stanford Health Care Receives 4th Magnet Designation

Jean Watson and Watson Caring Science Institute invite you to share our heart-felt congratulations to our WCSI Caring Science Affiliate Stanford Health Care (SHC) who has once again achieved Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center! This prestigious recognition placed Stanford Health Care within the top 2% of hospitals and is the highest honor a healthcare organization can receive for nursing excellence and quality patient care. The recognition marks the fourth year SHC has earned the highest national honor for nursing practice, previously receiving Magnet designations in 2007, 2012, and 2016.

As a WCSI Affiliate, Jean worked with SHC to assist with showcasing the benefits of intergrating Caring Science into their Professional Practice Model.

Grissel Hernandez, PhD, MPH, RN, HNB-BC, Caritas Coach®, Executive Director, Center for Education and Professional Development, Stanford Health Care said: “So glad Magnet highlighted our Watson Caring Science Integration as one of our 7 exemplars!” SCH showcased their ‘lived out’ integration of Human Caring within the required Magnet exemplars, and shared their Caring Science related exemplars with us here:

Transformational Leadership

The Stanford Health Care (SHC) Mission “To Care, To Educate, To Discover” serves as an ever-present reminder as to the core values of the organization. The mission statement frames the SHC Nursing and Interprofessional Professional Practice Model and provides the guiding principles for integrated nursing care. The theoretical framework for the SHC nursing philosophy and values, aligned with the SHC Mission Statement is inspired by the work of Jean Watson, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN. Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring and Caring Science guides nursing practice as both a discipline and a profession, integrating the act of caring with science.

As the COVID pandemic surged in Northern California, Stanford nurses lived their mission through exemplary nursing practice.

To Care

Caring was demonstrated by the extensive interdisciplinary planning to assure that SHC was prepared for the surge. This included an assessment of PPE supplies, assuring fit testing for all caregivers, and the prioritization of all hospital services. A COVID ICU and medical unit were established. Staff articulated many examples of caring practices for this frightened, sick, and vulnerable patient population that were nothing short of exemplary. All staff received their pay, regardless of where and if they worked. In addition, housing was set up for staff who could not return home if there were vulnerable individuals in the house. In addition, safety officers on each unit assured that donning and doffing was done correctly to assure staff safety. This resulted in staff that felt safe and cared for. Staff caring for COVID patients have been offered respite at any time they desire. To date, zero staff have asked for a respite. Staff repeatedly expressed that they felt and feel safe throughout this pandemic.

To Educate

Just-in-time education was extensive. The robust intranet site was set up as the one “Source of Truth” for the most current information on COVID. The site is managed by patient care services and the department of communications. To date, there are 86 live documents on the intranet. In addition, the staff of nine infection preventionists helped to develop workflows, policies, and identified potential exposure events.

To Discover

Innovation and discovery were numerous. iPads were used to not only support the patient and family but also to decrease the amount of time clinicians had to enter the rooms of COVID patients. In addition, IV lines were externalized for those patients on drips requiring frequent titration. QC codes were developed to ease access to policies and resource documents with the use of an I-Phone that all nurses have. To date, the organization has participated in 12 clinical trials, has had four publications, 10 abstracts accepted and four interprofessional publications related to COVID.

Congratulations to each and every nurse and interprofessional across the organization on this outstanding achievement!

Discover more about WCSI’s Affiliation program.