The medical intermediate care unit at Harris Health System’s Ben Taub Hospital has received the silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. The award is a milestone showcasing the unit’s exceptional patient care and a healthy work environment.
To achieve the award, hospitals must demonstrate successful improvements in patient outcomes and align practices with the association’s rigorous standards. The designation is good for three years and meets national criteria consistent with other esteemed awards: Magnet Recognition, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.
“A Beacon Award signifies a positive and supportive work environment with excellent outcomes, greater collaboration and high overall staff morale,” says Matthew Schlueter, MSN, MBA, RN, NE-BC, chief nursing officer, Ben Taub Hospital. “Nursing teams who are able to meet the rigorous requirements of the Beacon award set the standard for excellence in patient care environments. Most importantly, nurses in Beacon-designated units use evidence-based information to improve patient outcomes, staff satisfaction and credibility with consumers.”
The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence means unit staff is continuously learning and achieving optimal patient care based on the following evidence-based criteria:
• Leadership Structures and Systems
• Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement
• Effective Communication, Knowledge Management, Learning and Development
• Evidence-Based Practice and Processes
• Outcome Measurement
“Being a Beacon unit means always striving as a team to do our very best and always remembering when we’re in the unit, why we are here and how important what we do every day is to the lives of each person we treat,” says Ardis Bush, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CMSRN, director of nursing, Medical Intermediate Care Unit, Ben Taub Hospital. “It’s an achievement we have attained because of great collaboration and teamwork.”
Clareen Wiencek, RN, PhD, ACNP, ACHPN, president, AACN, applauds the commitment of the caregivers at Ben Taub Hospital 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 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.