Compassionate care focus a draw for nurse groups

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Compassionate care focus draws in nurse groups

Magnet and Pathway to Excellence programs connect with DAISY goals

By Linda Childers

EDITOR'S NOTE: Linda Childers is a freelance writer.

Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit is a good example of how a Magnet-designated medical center uses the DAISY Foundation’s awards program to commend nurses who demonstrate compassion, kindness and exemplary patient care.

Magnet designation, an award given by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, is the highest national recognition awarded to a hospital or medical center for excellence in nursing.

Since Henry Ford Hospital launched its DAISY Award® program three years ago, it has consistently received more than 100 nurse nominations each month from patients and families. These nominations include detailed stories of Henry Ford nurses who have made a difference in their patients’ lives by providing exceptional care. “The DAISY Foundation has partnered with the ANCC, the home of Magnet, since 2007,” said Cynthia Sweeney, MSN, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, executive director for the DAISY Foundation. “The concepts that DAISY espouses — extraordinary, skilled and compassionate care — align with the values of Magnet and with the Pathway to Excellence programs.”

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Today, Sweeney said, the DAISY Awards program has made an international impact. “We may have differences in the skill sets for care delivery and preferences for how care is delivered from country to country, but based on the growth of DAISY globally, I believe it validates that compassionate care translates in all languages,” Sweeney said. Cleveland Clinic, another Magnet-designated medical system, implemented the DAISY awards at its Akron General and Hillcrest Hospitals in 2013, and at its Abu Dhabi facility in 2015. The program proved so successful that in January, the Cleveland Clinic began offering the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses at all Cleveland Clinic health system hospitals. According to Sweeney, the DAISY Award recognizes not only great clinical skills and leadership, but also strong patient care and compassion.

Since the ANCC awards Magnet status to hospitals that satisfy a set of criteria designed to measure the strength and quality of their nursing, Doucette said the work of DAISY aligns with Magnet’s goal of recognizing the best of the best in nursing. “High performing organizations, like those with a Magnet designation, understand that recognizing the contributions of employees is a key factor in creating a positive work culture,” Doucette said. In addition, both the DAISY Foundation and ANCC share a vision of working with nurses on a global level. “ANCC was responsible for the initial introductions to the international nursing community, which has led to DAISY’s current presence in 18 countries,” Sweeney said. “We both support a healthy work environment where nurses’ voices are heard, which creates a great environment for better patient outcomes and enhances the patient and family experience.” Doucette said the ANCC’s Pathways to Excellence program honors organizations that help transform practice environments “to build global community healthcare organizations committed to nursing workplace excellence.” “The DAISY Foundation is a global organization that understands the value of diversity in all aspects of their work,” he said. “As I travel the world to meet with Magnet and Pathway organizations, it is always a pleasure to see DAISY in action in every corner of the world.”

Jeff Doucette, DNP, RN, FACHE, NEA-BC, LNHA, CENP, vice president, Magnet and Pathway to Excellence at the ANCC in Silver Spring, Md., says both the ANCC recognition programs (Magnet and Pathway to Excellence) have standards that address nurse recognition, and that the mission of the DAISY Foundation complements the goals of these programs.

“Many of our healthcare organizations partner with the DAISY Foundation, which is one of the largest nursing recognition programs in the world and a great partner with the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program,” Doucette said. “Magnet organizations who partner with the DAISY Foundation demonstrate a strong commitment to providing a way for exceptional nurses to be recognized by peers, colleagues and patients alike.”

Jeff Doucette, RN