Harris County Hospital District Announces American Nurses Credentialing Center Pathway to Excellence™ Designation

HOUSTON (Feb. 23, 2010) - The Harris County Hospital District is pleased to announce all three of its hospitals — Ben Taub and Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospitals and Quentin Mease Community Hospital — have achieved Pathway to Excellence™ designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).  

The Pathway to Excellence designation identifies the elements of work environments where nurses can flourish. The designation substantiates the professional satisfaction of nurses at the Harris County Hospital District and identifies it as one of the best places to work. 

“Receiving this achievement shows our commitment to nursing,” said Beth Cloyd, Executive Vice President/Chief Nursing Executive. “The Harris County Hospital District fosters a positive and nurturing environment for nurses so they in turn can provide high quality care for our patients.” 

The Pathway to Excellence designation is granted based on the confirmed presence of characteristics known as “The Pathway to Excellence Criteria.”  For an organization to earn the Pathway to Excellence distinction, it must successfully undergo a rigorous review process that documents foundational quality initiatives in creating a positive work environment — as defined by nurses and supported by research. These initiatives must be present in the facility’s practices, policies, and culture. Nurses in the organization verify the presence of the criteria in the organization through participation in a completely confidential online survey.  

As a Pathway to Excellence™ designated organization, the Harris County Hospital District is committed to nurses, to what nurses identify as important to their practice, and to valuing nurses’ contributions in the workplace. This designation confirms to the public that nurses working at HCHD know their efforts are supported. The honor encourages other nurses to join their colleagues in this desirable and nurturing environment. 

The Pathway to Excellence designation is perfectly suited to small and medium-sized healthcare organizations, but is attainable by all healthcare facilities around the world.   

The Harris County Hospital District is the public healthcare system for the nation’s third most-populous county. It provides quality healthcare for more than 1.4 million patient visits each year to residents of Harris County. It operates Ben Taub General Hospital, Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital, Quentin Mease Community Hospital, 13 community health centers, a dental center, a dialysis center, eight school-based clinics, 13 homeless shelter clinics and five mobile health units. 

About ANCC
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), provides individuals and organizations throughout the nursing profession with the resources they need to achieve practice excellence. ANCC's internationally renowned credentialing programs certify nurses in specialty practice areas; recognize healthcare organizations for promoting safe, positive work environments through the Pathway to Excellence Program™; and accredit providers of continuing nursing education. In addition, ANCC provides leading-edge information and education services and products to support its core credentialing programs. www.nursecredentialing.org