American Association of Critical-Care Nurses recognizes Intensive Care Unit at Saint Vincent Hospital with silver Beacon Award for Excellence

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recently recognized AHN Saint Vincent Hospital’s 4 South Intensive Care Unit (ICU), which specializes in adult, medical/surgical critical care, with a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence.

According to AACN, the Beacon Award for Excellence celebrates “unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards,” in areas such as communication, collaboration, and staffing levels.  

The 4 South ICU has 20 beds and is part of Saint Vincent’s larger 61-bed intensive care program, which includes neonatal intensive care, cardiac/neuro intensive care, and medical/surgical.

"We are incredibly proud of the 4 South Intensive Care Unit for achieving the prestigious Silver Beacon Award,” said Dr. Chris Clark, President of AHN Saint Vincent. “This recognition underscores their tireless efforts to provide the highest quality care while fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment. Their achievement serves as an inspiration to all of us at Saint Vincent Hospital and reinforces our commitment to exceptional patient outcomes."

Units that achieve this three-year designation in either the gold, silver or bronze categories meet national criteria consistent with the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.

AACN President Jennifer Adamski, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM, applauded the commitment of the AHN Saint Vincent caregivers for working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence.

“The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in outstanding 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 said.

The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence earned by the 4 South Intensive Care Unit indicates that the unit has met evidence-based benchmarks in the following areas:

·       Leadership Structures and Systems

·       Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement

·       Effective Communication, Knowledge Management and Learning and Development

·       Evidence-Based Practice and Processes

·       Outcome Measurement