CHICAGO, IL (May 26, 2010) – Swedish Covenant Hospital (SCH) has earned the internationally prestigious Magnet recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

The honor is “the highest and most prestigious international distinction a hospital can receive for nursing excellence and outstanding patient care,” said SCH President Mark Newton when he announced the recognition. SCH is one of only four hospitals in Chicago, 23 hospitals in Illinois and 371 in the world to earn the designation.

“Being a Magnet hospital means our patients are receiving the best nursing care available,” Newton said. “It means our nurses are working in a positive environment and are more satisfied with their jobs. And it means SCH serves as an international model for nursing care.”

The designation is given to hospitals that demonstrate excellence in five key areas: transformational leadership, an environment where the hospital’s vision comes to life, exemplary nursing practices, a culture of innovation and continual improvement, and strong structures for achieving good outcomes.

“A growing amount of research shows that Magnet recognition is associated with improved nursing quality, patient outcomes and patient safety as well as nurse satisfaction, recruitment and retention,” said Newton. “These were the reasons we decided to begin the journey to Magnet excellence three years ago, and I’m very thankful to our Chief Nursing Officer, Mary Shehan, and all of our nursing staff for the tremendous amount of work they put into the application process.”

To learn more about the credentialing program, click here.

Swedish Covenant Hospital is operated by the Covenant Board of Benevolence on behalf of the Evangelical Covenant Church. The board also operates Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock, California.