Intensive Care Unit Recognized with Beacon Award for Excellence

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recently conferred a bronze-level Beacon Award for Excellence on the Sierra Vista Intensive Care Unit.

The Beacon Award for Excellence — a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments — recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Units that earn this three-year, three-level award with a gold, silver or bronze designation meet national criteria consistent with Magnet Recognition, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.

AACN President Clareen Wiencek, RN, PhD, ACNP, ACHPN, applauds the commitment of the caregivers at Sierra Vista for working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence. These dedicated healthcare professionals join other members of the exceptional community of nurses who set the standard for optimal patient care.

“The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in stellar units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes. Units that receive this national recognition serve as role models to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care,” she explains.

The bronze-level Beacon Award for Excellence earned by Sierra Vista ICU signifies success in developing, deploying and integrating unit-based performance criteria for optimal outcomes. Sierra Vista earned a bronze award by meeting the following evidence-based Beacon Award for Excellence criteria:

· Leadership Structures and Systems

· Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement

· Effective Communication, Knowledge Management, Learning and Development

· Evidence-Based Practice and Processes

· Outcome Measurement