The Magnet® Site Visit: Going Virtual in Response to COVID-19.

ABSTRACT

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been a source of disruption, unexpected illness, stress, and adversity for people, worldwide. As the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded in early 2020, many healthcare organizations found themselves in the midst of their Magnet appraisals-just short of the 3rd appraisal phase, the Site Visit Phase. In response, the Magnet Recognition Program devised strategies to maintain the integrity of the appraisal process, despite the turbulence associated with the unexpected changes that healthcare organizations were confronting while contending with the impact of COVID-19. In this month's Magnet Perspectives column, we explore how the virtual site visit has provided healthcare organizations with the opportunity to complete this phase of their appraisal process while addressing the safety and well-being of the organization's staff as well as that of the Magnet appraisers.