Interprofessional collaboration is embedded in the culture of Magnet-designated institutions.

Perhaps the only thing more surprising than hearing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” play on Tower 8CD, the Burn, Trauma and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, was the visual that accompanied it: a patient dancing to the song in the hallway with one of her nurses, Michelle Andronaco, BSN, RN.

The patient had experienced a traumatic injury that required a long hospital stay. As she got to know her patient better, Andronaco learned she loved to dance and move – making it especially disheartening to be off her feet for so long.

As the two went on daily walks around the floor to help the patient rebuild her muscle tone, Andronaco made an unexpected proposal one day to help lighten her patient’s spirits: “Let’s go dancing this time and make it more fun,” she said. The patient readily agreed, and with the aid of a smartphone and a walker, they shimmied down the hallway that day with laughter.

Moments like this are just one example of the many ways BWH staff contribute to a culture focused on achieving outcomes that matter to patients and families while providing the highest-quality care in the safest environment.

These characteristics also reflect what it means to be a Magnet-designated hospital, the highest recognition given by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for health care institutions providing exceptional patient care. BWH is pursuing Magnet designation to be formally recognized for the everyday excellence, teamwork and innovation demonstrated at the Brigham.

As part of this journey, staff are invited to contribute to an interactive display in the 75 Francis St. lobby by sharing how they exemplify four hallmarks of Magnet institutions – high-quality patient care, clinical excellence, innovations in professional practice and interprofessional collaboration – in their daily work. Stickers provided at a nearby table encourage staff to write about how their role exemplifies one or more of those categories.

In addition, BWH Bulletin recently asked staff from across the institution to reflect on how their role demonstrates the hallmarks of Magnet.

Andronaco said that, as a nurse, all four hallmarks play a role in the work she does every day to provide compassionate care and contribute to an environment that helps patients heal both physically and emotionally.

“Nurses are the constant at the bedside. We help all the teams come together, keep the lines of communication open and even take time to make our patients smile,” she said.

While the Magnet Recognition Program’s roots are in nursing, Magnet designation honors the work and culture of an entire institution.

Mohamed El-Dib, MD, director of Neonatal Neurocritical Care in the Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, said that innovation and interprofessional collaboration are at the foundation of his work as a physician and researcher.

“I work with a skillful and passionate multidisciplinary group, using cutting-edge technology,” El-Dib said. “We proudly work with families to provide the best care for sick infants and to help them reach their ultimate neurodevelopmental potential.”

Monique Cerundolo, MA, BCC, staff chaplain in Spiritual Care Services, also said interprofessional collaboration is tightly woven into her role.

“Chaplains collaborate as members of the clinical team to make BWH a welcoming, safe and hopeful place,” Cerundolo said. “As the Hispanic chaplain, I work closely with Hispanic social workers to provide culturally sensitive spiritual and emotional care to patients and families in their native language.”

All staff are invited to visit the new Magnet wall display in the 75 Francis St. lobby, near the Emergency Department, choose a sticker from the table and share reflections. If you work at an off-campus location and would like to participate, email your contribution to Steph Synoracki at ssynoracki@bwh.harvard.edu.