Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano Earns Nurse-Friendly™ Designation

Contact: Susan Hall, 214-820-1817
Email: susanh@baylorhealth.edu

(PLANO, TEXAS, Oct. 12, 2007) - The Texas Nurses Association (TNA) recently added Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano to their list of Nurse-Friendly Hospitals™. Only 49 hospitals, out of the approximately 581 licensed hospitals in Texas, have achieved the Nurse Friendly™ status.

This designation confirms that a hospital has in its practices, policies and procedures, the 12 essential elements of the ideal nursing practice environment - as defined by nurses and research - that allow nurses to practice safe, quality patient care and to pursue a level of professional development and career satisfaction that retains them in the profession and at the bedside.

"It's gratifying that Plano has received this designation," says Rosemary Luquire, R.N., PhD, F.A.A.N., C.N.A.A., chief nursing officer and senior vice president, Baylor Health Care System. "Becoming a nurse-friendly hospital requires a strong nursing team and patient care philosophy to be in place."

Hospitals who apply must demonstrate through a rigorous process that they're committed to supporting a nursing practice environment that is consistent with excellent patient care. Then, a majority of the hospital's nurses must confirm that fact through a confidential survey.

Baylor Plano received this recognition on September 20 at the TNA's 7th Annual Nursing Leadership Conference.

Earlier this year, 18 Baylor Health Care System nurses become part of the coveted "100 Great Nurses," an award given by the Texas Nurses Association, Districts Three and Four, and Dallas-Fort Worth Nurse Executives. Out of the 18 nurses, two of the "100 Great Nurses" work at Baylor Plano. The American Nurses Credentialing Center, the credentialing arm of the American Nurses Association, also has named Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas and the Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital as Magnet Hospitals.

Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano brings residents of Collin County and North Texas the benefits of an acute care medical and surgical facility that meets adult health care needs. Baylor Plano provides comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and follow-up care and offers a center of excellence - the Baylor Scoliosis Center. Other specialized clinical services include neurosciences, orthopaedics, medical and radiation oncology, surgical weight loss, women's services, gynecology, urology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, a sleep center, pain management, all digital imaging, diabetes management and more.

As part of Baylor Health Care System, Baylor Plano offers patients access to innovative treatments and clinical trials performed through Baylor Research Institute in such areas as oncology and cardiovascular services. For fiscal year 2007, Baylor Health Care System will report $390 million in community benefits to the Department of State Health Services.