Skip to content

South Sacramento achieves Magnet Recognition with Distinction

The Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center ended 2023 on an exceptionally high note — becoming the second hospital in the world to earn the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition with Distinction™. Additionally, the South Sacramento team was the first hospital in history to receive the honor with distinction upon initial designation. The award recognizes their exceptional patient care, innovative practices, and supportive environment for nurses.

“Our hospital leaders and physician partners have supported and empowered our front-line nurses to practice to the best of their capabilities,” said Rachel Wyatt, DNP, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nurse Executive, South Sacramento. “I am incredibly proud of our nursing teams for their commitment to achieving this prestigious designation.”

Milanelle “Lanie” Guiao-Tranchina, BSN, RN, PCCN, CMSRN, Staff Nurse IV, expressed pride in the Magnet achievement as well, seeing it as validation of hard work and commitment to excellent patient care. “The nursing unit councils are involved in decision-making for professional development, patient safety, and improvement of practice. Front-line nurses create the plans, vote on them, implement them, monitor trends, and create sustainability for all initiatives. It’s different. And you can see the immense pride,” she said.

Magnet Recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence, quality care, and innovations in nursing practice, which less than 10% of hospitals in the United States have earned. The Magnet with Distinction designation recognizes the highest performing Magnet organizations around the world.

“This credential is testament to the countless contributions your nurses, in collaboration with other team members, have made in their commitment to providing quality patient care through innovations in professional nursing practice. Your organization serves as a role model of elite-level performance of nursing excellence,” ANCC’s appraisers shared in recognizing the South Sac team for their Magnet designation.

“South Sacramento goes above and beyond what is expected in multiple areas,” said Christen Straw, DNP, RN, CNL, NEA-BC, CENP, Magnet Program Director, South Sacramento. “Propelled by our Shared Governance Councils, they positively impact care experience and nursing-sensitive clinical quality indicators.”

For example, the data for inpatient and ambulatory nurse-sensitive clinical quality indicators outperformed the national benchmark and comparison cohorts for the majority of 8 quarters. Magnet appraisers added that the medical center’s reputation for excellence is punctuated by an exceptionally high rate of emergency department and inpatient admissions by non-KP members at 25% and 45% respectively. Appraisers also noted South Sacramento has the highest poverty index score in the enterprise and carries the highest Medicaid population in the state of California.

“This achievement reflects the unwavering commitment of everyone at South Sacramento, solidifying their position as a role model for nursing excellence,” added Wyatt. “Facing unique challenges, they embraced innovation.” In fact, nurses led numerous successful initiatives fostered by a culture of empowerment and open communication. Leadership prioritized self-care, resulting in exceptional staff retention rates. Their 9% nurse vacancy rate and 14% nurse turnover rate are exceptional outcomes compared to national averages.

“Nurses’ dedication and passion were evident, with many choosing South Sacramento over closer hospitals, calling it their chosen ‘family,’” noted Magnet Appraisers.

Through a continued focus on nurse recognition, training, and professional development, Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento demonstrates its commitment to meeting or exceeding Magnet criteria. The hospital’s Nursing Professional Certification Rate was 18% in 2021 and increased to 24% by 2023. In addition, nurses with bachelor’s degrees or higher rose from 52% in 2021 to 81% in 2023, which is above the threshold for excellence according to Magnet standards.

Back To Top