April 14, 2008 - The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recently announced 19 units from 15 hospitals in 14 states received the Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence, an award that is increasingly linked to patient safety initiatives.

AACN said each unit was recognized for exhibiting the highest quality standards in nurse recruitment and retention, patient outcomes, staff training, healthy work environments, leadership and evidence-based practice and research. Criteria for receiving a Beacon Award include recognized excellence in the intensive care environments in which nurses work and critically ill patients are cared for; recognized excellence of the highest quality measures, processes, structures and outcomes based upon evidence; recognized excellence in collaboration, communication and partnerships that support the value of healing and humane environments; and developing a program that contributes to actualization of AACN’s mission, vision and values.

“The commitment to high-quality standards and dedication to exceptional care of patients and their families have brought clear, valuable recognition to these units and institutions,” said AACN President Dave Hanson, RN, MSN, CCRN, CNS. “Earning a Beacon Award sends a clear message that these units are providing exceptional care and that their commitment to evidence-based practice is unwavering. They have set examples that serve as beacons for other hospitals and healthcare facilities to use in navigating the rough waters of acute and critical care nursing.”

Following are the units by state and institution that have achieved Beacon Award status this spring:

Arizona - John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital, Phoenix, Intensive Care Unit

California - Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (two units), Santa Barbara, Critical Care Unit (CCU), Intensive Care Unit, two-time recipient

District of Columbia - Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, C4-3 Surgical Intensive Care Unit

Florida - Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit

Georgia - Gwinnett Medical Center, Lawrenceville, Intensive Care Unit, two-time recipient

Illinois - Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, Surgical Intensive Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit

Massachusetts - Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Adult Intensive Care Unit, four-time recipient

New Jersey - The Valley Hospital (three units), Ridgewood, Intensive Care Unit, Intermediate Care Unit, Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit

New York - VA Medical Center Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Combined Intensive Care Unit

Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, two-time recipient

North Carolina - Mission Hospitals, Asheville, Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit/Cardiovascular Recovery Unit

Ohio -Aultman Hospital, Canton, Medical Intensive Care Unit

Oregon - Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, Portland, Intensive Care Unit

Virginia - Virginia Commonwealth Medical Center, Richmond, Surgery/Trauma Intensive Care Unit

Washington - University of Washington Medical Center (2 units)
Seattle, 5 East Intensive Care Unit, 5SE Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit

The latest awards bring to 120 the total number of units that have received the Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence. More than 200 units are in the process of applying at any given time. The award is presented twice yearly.

For more information: www.aacn.org


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