The Woodlands Real Estate Blog

Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital is now known for its exceptional ""Nurse-Friendly"" status.

The hospital was recently declared ""Nurse-Friendly"" by the Texas Nurses Association. It was one of only two fall 2007 recipients in the greater Houston area that earned the three-year distinction. The Association's Nurse-Friendly designation confirms that a hospital has in its practices, policies and procedures the essential elements of the ideal practice environment - as defined by nurses and research - that allow nurses to practice safe, quality patient care and pursue a level of professional development and career satisfaction that retains them in the profession and at the bedside.

Demonstration through documentation and nurse survey confirmation that the criteria are present in the facility is the basis for awarding licensed hospitals the ""Nurse-Friendly status. Since 2005, just 49 of 581 licensed hospitals in Texas have been recognized by TNA as ""Nurse-Friendly,"" according to a press release by Memorial Hermann hospital. The Texas ""Nurse-Friendly"" designation has a very positive overall impact on the hospital, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Chief Patient Care Officer Susan Griffin, R.N., said. ""I think from a hospital-wide perspective that the culture is positive, and the nursing staff has validated that they can practice in an environment that is safe to patients,"" she said. ""What I really like about this designation is that the Association did an anonymous survey of our nurses that validated that the information we sent in was true. We received a greater than 75 percent satisfaction rating. This is meaningful.""

One of the goals of the hospital is to ensure that patients have a wonderful experience, Griffin said. ""I have received compliments daily on how kind and efficient our nurses are,"" she said. ""Our staff is engaged. They really do care about people and are always looking for ways to improve,"" she said. ""I love the staff here. They make it worth coming to the hospital."" For more information on Memorial Hermann The Woodlands, visit www.memorialhermann.org