Exeter Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit receives prestigious silver Beacon Award for Excellence
Posted Jan 17, 2019 at 10:32 AM
Updated Jan 17, 2019 at 10:32 AM
EXETER - The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recently conferred a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Exeter Hospital. This is the third silver Beacon Award received by the ICU and Exeter Hospital is the only hospital in the state currently holding any 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.
“Receiving a third silver Beacon Award is a great honor for the entire staff in Exeter Hospital’s ICU,” said Susan Burns-Tisdale, Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations and Chief Nurse Executive at Exeter Hospital. “We hold three Beacon Awards concurrently - in addition to this one, our Family Center recently was recognized with a silver Beacon Award and our Progressive Care Unit (PCU) previously received a gold Beacon Award and currently holds a silver Beacon Award. These recognitions along with our Magnet designation are a true testament to this hospital’s continued dedication to excellence in patient care.”
The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence earned by the ICU at Exeter Hospital signifies continuous learning and effective systems to achieve optimal patient care. The hospital’s ICU 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, Learning and Development
-*- Evidence-Based Practice and Processes
-*- Outcome Measurement
AACN President Lisa Riggs, MS, APRN-BC, CCRN-K applauds the commitment of the caregivers at the ICU 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 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.