American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Recognizes Huntington Hospital’s Critical Care Unit with a Silver-Level Beacon Award for Excellence

Huntington Hospital’s critical care unit (CCU) recently received a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). This award recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s Healthy Work Environment Standards.

“I am thrilled that our critical care unit has achieved this significant milestone,” said Gail Cinexi, BSN, MBA, interim chief nursing officer, Huntington Health. “This award is a testament to the exceptional patient care we give and the healthy work environment we uphold.”

Units that achieve this three-year, three-level award with a gold, silver or bronze designation meet national criteria consistent with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality  Award in health care.

AACN President Terry Davis, PhD, RN, NE-BC, CHTP, FAAN, applauds the exemplary efforts of Huntington Hospital’s critical care unit for working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence. “These dedicated health care professionals join other members of the exceptional community of nurses who set the standard for optimal patient care,” Davis said. “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.”

The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence signifies an effective approach to policies, procedures and processes that engage staff and key stakeholders. It also shows that the unit has evaluation and improvement strategies in place and good performance measures when compared to relevant benchmarks. Huntington Hospital’s critical care unit 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

•            Outcome measurement

To learn more about the AACN and the Beacon Award for Excellence, visit: www.aacn.org/beacon