Quality of End of Life Care in Magnet® and Non-Magnet Hospitals

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether end-of-life care quality is superior in Magnet hospitals, a recognition designating nursing excellence. BACKGROUND: Considerable research shows better patient outcomes in hospitals with excellent nurse work environments, but end-of-life care quality has not been studied in Magnet hospitals. METHODS: An analysis of cross-sectional data was completed using surveys of nurses and hospitals. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the association between Magnet hospitals and measures of end-of-life care quality. RESULTS: Overall, nurses report poor quality of end-of-life care in US hospitals. In Magnet hospitals, nurses were significantly less likely to give their hospital an unfavorable rating on end-of-life care. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital Magnet status may signal better quality in end-of-life care. Administrators looking to improve the quality of end-of-life care may consider improving aspects of nursing that distinguish Magnet hospitals.