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MUSC hospital aims for elite Magnet status Of the more than 5,000 national and international health care facilities in the United States, only 129 were awarded Magnet status as of Feb. 2. All 129 had a Magnet plan. MUSC’s Magnet Plan is based on four groups, the Magnet steering committee, the Magnet data quality committee, the Magnet forces committee, and the Magnet application advisory committee.  The task of getting the word out, communicating what Magnet is to staff, physicians, and other leaders, and presenting workshops, conferences, and presentations rests with the Magnet steering committee. The Magnet Data Quality Committee collects all the data for the National Database for Nursing Quality (NDNQI) Indicators, or nursing sensitive indicators that make a real difference in patient care. This group is working hard to get the nursing dashboards task force together, which will have 10 to 12 indicators.  Seven separate groups looking at the 14 forces of magnetism that identify a Magnet hospital make up The Magnet Forces Committee.  The groups include examples of the forces that demonstrate how to provide quality of care and quality improvement, what the professional models of care are, quality of nursing leadership, interdisciplinary relationships, community and the health care organization, and how autonomy is built into nursing practice in the organization.  The Magnet Application Advisory Committee is composed of hospital administrators and forces directors who will assure the application is complete and mailed in November. The four groups are meeting to identify examples from the hospital that meet the forces of excellence. Everyone is encouraged to participate and think of outstanding projects that were accomplished through collaborative and integrated efforts with nurses and interdisciplinary health care team members. For more information on the Magnet Plan, go to http://www.musc.edu/medcenter/nursing/pronursing.htm. 3rd Annual SC Magnet Conference South Carolina Nursing Excellence:  Aspiring to Magnetism April 29, Embassy Suites, Columbia The focus of the conference is to develop research and leadership among the nursing population, promote education of staff and linking them to nursing programs, and evidence based practice. A poster session will take place after the conference and posters are still being accepted.  For more information e-mail Beth Kennedy at kennedyb@musc.edu. To submit a poster or presentation proposal, visit http://www.scahec.net.    Friday, Feb. 11, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.