Exeter Hospital’s Progressive Care Unit nurses honored
Posted Sep 17, 2020 at 3:09 PM
EXETER – The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses recently conferred a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence on the Progressive Care Unit at Exeter Hospital.
Exeter is one of only two hospitals in the state to currently hold a Beacon Award. In addition to the PCU, the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit and Family Center also currently hold silver Beacon Awards.
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 achieve 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. Exeter Hospital has also held a Magnet designation since 2013.
“I am extremely proud of the work the staff in the PCU has done to achieve this recognition,” said Elizabeth Keane, director of Exeter Hospital’s PCU. “Despite the additional work and stress brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the team put in the extra effort needed to apply for and achieve this award. They understand the importance of nursing excellence and demonstrate this to our patients every day.”
The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence earned by the PCU at Exeter Hospital signifies an effective approach to policies, procedures and processes that includes engagement of staff and key stakeholders. The unit has evaluation and improvement strategies in place and good performance measures when compared to relevant benchmarks. The PCU at Exeter Hospital earned its silver 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 and Learning and Development; Evidence-Based Practice and Processes and Outcome Measurement.
AACN President Megan Brunson, MSN, RN, CNL, CCRN-CSC, applauds the commitment of the caregivers in the Progressive Care Unit at Exeter Hospital 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 our exceptional community of nurses, who set the standard for optimal patient care.
“Receiving a Beacon Award for Excellence demonstrates a team’s commitment to providing safe, patient-centered and evidence-based care to patients and families,” Brunson explained. “Creating healthy and supportive work environments empowers nurses and other team members to make their optimal contribution.”