Oct 2023 – PTE/Magnet Conference in Chicago (L to R): Brandee Duncan- HMCL MPD, Martha Platas -TecSalud Nursing Program Director, Leticia Soliz-Dominguez- TecSalud CNO (retired), Ana Maria Espinosa- TecSalud Zambrano Nursing Leader

Global Advisory Services has partnered with multiple hospitals on their Pathway to Excellence® (PTE) and/or Magnet® journeys. PTE and Magnet® are hospital designations that recognize excellence. Approximately 9% of American hospitals and 20 international organizations have the Magnet® designation (American Nurses Enterprise, n.d.). Houston Methodist and seven HM community hospitals have achieved this prestigious recognition. HM Continuing Care is PTE designated, and the newly opened HM Cypress Hospital has already begun its PTE journey. Houston Methodist believes strongly in the Magnet® and PTE programs as they are evidence-based, spotlight best practices of successful hospitals, and have been associated with better patient outcomes, higher patient satisfaction and employee engagement, and lower turnover rates than non-designated organizations (Drenkard, 2022). With Houston Methodist’s commitment to excellence and submersion in the Magnet® program, the organization serves as a consultant for international organizations on their journey to PTE or Magnet®.

Global Advisory Services pairs Houston Methodist subject matter experts (SME) to collaborate with and guide international colleagues. HM Global has partnerships in several countries, including Mexico, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. I have had the pleasure of collaborating with the nursing leaders at TecSalud in Monterrey, NL, Mexico, since 2021. TecSalud has two hospital campuses and is working toward its second PTE designation. HM Global team members meet with the organization to identify their unique needs and opportunities and tailor a plan to support them. I assisted with reviewing TecSalud’s initial PTE application document. I had the privilege of visiting the TecSalud campuses and meeting their nursing team to evaluate the shared decision-making culture and help prepare them for the PTE survey. Throughout this process, I learned more than the TecSalud team did. I enjoyed understanding how different health care in Mexico is from that in the U.S., learned about the culture, forged new friendships and strengthened my Spanish-speaking skills (although they are still pitiful).