American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Recognizes North Fulton Hospital’s Critical Care Unit with Beacon Award for Excellence
ROSWELL, Georgia. (PRWEB) August 08, 2013 -- The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), Aliso Viejo, California, recently conferred a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence on the Critical Care Unit at North Fulton Hospital, Roswell, Georgia.
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.
AACN President Vicki Good, RN, MSN, CENP, applauds the commitment of the caregivers in the Critical Care Unit at North Fulton 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.
The 62 nurses in North Fulton Hospital’s Critical Care Unit, along with hospital administration and other staff members, began the process of improving the unit’s processes and practices in the fall of 2011. In December of 2012, the final documentation was submitted for a seven month review period.
“We are so proud to be one of the few Beacon units in Atlanta,” said Debbie Keel, North Fulton Hospital’s CEO. “Our nurses and staff strive to provide the very best care to every patient, and we are thrilled to be recognized with this honor.”
The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence earned by the Critical Care Unit at North Fulton Hospital signifies continuous learning and effective systems to achieve optimal patient care. The Critical Care Unit at North Fulton Hospital 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
North Fulton Hospital is a 202-bed, acute-care hospital located in Roswell, Ga. It is a state-designated Level II trauma center, and provides a continuum of services through its centers and programs, including neurosciences, women’s health services, orthopedics, surgical services, and more. The hospital is fully accredited and certified as a Primary Stroke Center, a Community Cancer Center, and a Quality Breast Center of Excellence. For more information about North Fulton Hospital, visit http://www.nfultonhospital.com or call 770-752-2600 for a referral to a physician.
About the Beacon Award for Excellence: Established in 2003, the Beacon Award for Excellence offers a road map to help guide exceptional care through improved outcomes and greater overall patient satisfaction. U.S. or Canadian units where patients receive their principal nursing care after hospital admission qualify for this excellence award. Units that receive the Beacon Award for Excellence meet criteria in six categories: leadership structures and systems; appropriate staffing and staff engagement; effective communication, knowledge management, learning and development; evidence-based practice and processes; and outcome measurement. To learn more, visit http://www.aacn.org/beacon or call (800) 899-2226.
Beth Downs, North Fulton Hospital, http://www.nfultonhospital.com, 770-751-2869, [email protected]
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