Ft. Thomas, KY – The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) awarded a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence for the intensive care unit at St. Elizabeth Ft. Thomas. The Beacon Award for Excellence 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.
AACN President Clareen Wiencek, RN, PhD, ACNP, ACHPN, applauds the commitment of the caregivers at St. Elizabeth Ft. Thomas 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,” explains Wienceck.
The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence earned at St. Elizabeth Ft. Thomas signifies continuous learning and effective systems to achieve optimal patient care. The 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
“For our community, the Beacon Award affirms our commitment to provide the highest quality care,” says Gary Blank, St. Elizabeth Healthcare Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. “It emphasizes the collaboration and communication of our ICU associates, setting the standard for patient care.”
Other Beacon Award designations include bronze and gold. Recipients who earned a bronze-level award show success in developing, deploying and integrating unit-based performance criteria for optimal outcomes; gold-level awardees demonstrate excellent and sustained unit performance and patient outcomes.