DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan recognized for nursing excellence by Magnet

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has awarded DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM) Magnet® designation for excellence in nursing. Magnet® designation is one of the highest distinctions a hospital can receive, less than 7 percent of hospitals in the U.S. have achieved Magnet® status. RIM is the only rehabilitation hospital in Michigan and one of only three rehab hospitals in the U.S. to receive the Magnet® designation. RIM joins the DMC’s Detroit Receiving Hospital and Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital in achieving this honor.

A jubilant cheer resonated throughout the hospital today, as a packed auditorium of RIM staff received a surprise phone call from Pat Reid Ponte, DNSc RN NEA-BC FAAN, Chair of the Commission for the Magnet Recognition Program®, who delivered the good news.

Magnet® status is bestowed only to hospitals that exceed professional standards in nursing practice, leadership, education and research, and are able to document them. Research shows there are clear benefits to hospitals that achieve Magnet® status and to the communities they serve including consumer confidence, recruitment and retention, and maintaining positive patient outcomes.

“This momentous achievement only confirms what we have always known, that RIM’s nurses are among the best in the country. This is great news for RIM, the community and our patients who truly benefit from the professionalism, care and dedication our nurses provide every day,” said Bill Restum, PhD, president, RIM.

“RIM’s nursing staff has met the highest standards of excellence to receive Magnet status designation.  We are recognized for providing the very best in nursing practice and leadership, said Julia M. Libcke MSN, CRRN. Vice President, Patient Care Services, RIM. “I am incredibly proud of our rehabilitation nursing staff and the entire RIM family.   Today we celebrate our journey and the amazing difference we make each day in the lives of our patients and families,” she added.

RIM began their rigorous Magnet® journey in 2008. After submitting 116 sources of evidence compiled to verify the nursing staff's excellence in the 5 Model Components of Magnet®, representatives from the ANCC conducted a two-day, multi-faceted site visit to RIM in March 2013. Three Magnet® Appraisers observed nursing practice and performance, and spoke to nurses, physicians, board members and community stakeholders during the site visit.  

Hand therapy puts world back at patient’s finger tips

“I first thought my injury was no big deal. A few stitches and I’d be on my way. Wow, was I wrong.  It’s amazing how something seemingly so small has made such a big impact on my life.”

It was Nov. 30, 2013 and Kathleen Lowry was making a smoothie in what she calls her “ninja blade blender.  As she was pouring it into a cup, the blade came tumbling out.  Instead of letting it fall to the floor, she tried to catch it, slicing the tip of her right index finger.

As a nurse anesthetist at the Sinai-Grace Berry Surgery Center, she is familiar enough with medical situations to know this cut needed more than a band aid.  She headed to a nearby ER where a medical student said she was lucky that she didn’t cut her tendon, stitched her up and sent her home.

At first she thought she was healing well, but still unable to bend the tip of her finger a week and a half later, she knew the accident was much more serious.  She went to see a hand surgeon who said her tendon had been severed and it had probably retracted into her palm. Surgery was a must. Her doctor wasn’t available but her coworkers recommended DMC hand surgeon Dr. Brian Najarian.

“When I called Dr. Najarian’s office, they got me in immediately.  Dr. Najarian and his whole staff were so reassuring and really put me at ease.  He was also very thorough in explaining everything.”

Two weeks after her accident, Kathleen had surgery.  Dr. Najarian was able to fish the tendon out of her palm and reattach it.  He gave her a 50/50 chance that her fingertip nerves would regenerate and he was optimistic that she would regain functional use of her finger.  He sent her to DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan to give her finger every chance for a positive recovery.

“I’ve been going to DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan in Novi two times a week since my surgery.  They are just terrific there.  They’re knowledgeable and offer the most advanced treatments. But what I’m most impressed about is they’re taking care of me emotionally too.”

Kathleen says this small injury has left her depressed and frustrated.  While her friends and family are telling her to enjoy the time off work, she can’t.  The injury happened on her dominate hand and she can’t pinch or grasp. That means extra effort to write, use a keyboard, eat, dress and just in general taking care of her daily needs.

“Holy cow, this has been difficult.  I’m so thankful DMC Rehabilitation Institute is there to help me through it.  From the tip of my finger to my toes, they’re worried about the whole me.  I look forward to going back to work and getting back to life, thanks to Dr. Najarian and DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.”