(Sept. 12, 2018) – Rush Oak Park Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit was recently recognized with a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
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 gold, silver or bronze designations meet national criteria consistent with Magnet Recognition, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.
"The ICU team here at Rush Oak Park Hospital does impressive work and this award recognizes their commitment to excellence for the patients, families and communities we serve," said Karen Mayer PhD, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, Rush Oak Park Hospital’s vice president of Patient Care Services.
AACN President Clareen Wiencek, RN, PhD, ACNP, ACHPN, applauded the commitment of the caregivers in the Intensive Care Unit at Rush Oak Park 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 explained.
Angela Cooper DNP, RN, CNL, director of Inpatient, Skilled Care, and Cardiology nursing at Rush Oak Park Hospital, said the recognition is a testament to the exceptional care the interdisciplinary team provides.
“The ICU team at Rush Oak Park Hospital goes above and beyond to deliver quality and compassionate care on a daily basis,” she said. “For this team to be recognized for those efforts with the Beacon Award for Excellence is quite an honor.”
Learn more about the Beacon Award for Excellence at the AACN website.
