Medical ICU is Kentucky’s Only Gold;
Two Surgical ICUs are Kentucky’s Only Silvers (for adults)

(LOUISVILLE, KY) – The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recently presented one gold-level and two silver-level Beacon Awards for Excellence to three intensive care units at University of Louisville Hospital.

The hospital’s Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) won the gold, which is the only one awarded in Kentucky for 2012. The hospital’s two Surgical Intensive Care Units (SICU) on 8 West and 9 West are the only two adult ICUs in Kentucky to earn silver honors this year.

Units that achieve this three-year recognition must meet national criteria consistent with Magnet Recognition, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.

“Having nursing units strive for excellence and then being recognized for their accomplishments is a great testament of the power of setting goals and being successful. This truly is excellence defined,” said Mary Jane Adams, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of University of Louisville Hospital.

“Achieving the Gold Beacon Award recognizes our commitment to excellence on MICU. It signifies exceptional patient care, improved patient outcomes and a healthy work environment,” said Deanna Parker, RN, BSN, CCRN, Clinical Manager for the MICU. “This remarkable award is shared and celebrated with all disciplines on the unit because this was truly a team effort.”

Stephanie Perna, RN, MSN, CCRN, Clinical Manager for 8 West, said, “For patients and families, the Silver Beacon Award means better care, improved outcomes and greater overall satisfaction. For nurses, Beacon means a positive, supportive work environment with greater collaboration. In the community, the Beacon Award is a symbol of excellence when choosing a place to receive healthcare.”

Regina Doan, RN, BSN, CCRN, Clinical Manager for 9 West, added, “This award serves as a validation of the hard work and dedication the staff of our surgical ICUs puts into their work for every patient every time. I am excited to share this award with our staff members in recognition of their excellence.”

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.

AACN President Mary Stahl, RN, MSN, ACNS-BC, CCNS-CMC, CCRN, applauds the commitment of the caregivers on MICU, as well as 8 West and 9 West, at University of Louisville Hospital for working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence.

“This award 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.

Units earn their awards 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, Best Practices
• Evidence-Based Practice and Processes
• Patient Outcomes

AACN will honor University Hospital’s MICU, 8 West and 9 West, as well as other Beacon Award for Excellence recipients, with announcements in AACN Bold Voices, the monthly award-winning member magazine distributed to more than 90,000 acute and critical care nurses nationwide.

AACN also honors awardees at the National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition, the world’s largest educational conference and trade show for nurses who care for acutely and critically ill patients and their families.

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University of Louisville Hospital is part of UofL Health Care, the region’s leading academic, research, and teaching medical center.  Along with the James Graham Brown Cancer Center and University of Louisville Physicians, all UofL Health Care services are associated with the University of Louisville Health Sciences Center.   Our patients benefit from the latest medical advances, often long before they become available in non-teaching settings.  For more information, visit www.uoflhealthcare.org.

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.

About the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses: Founded in 1969 and based in Aliso Viejo, Calif., the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. AACN joins together the interests of more than 500,000 acute and critical care nurses and claims more than 235 chapters worldwide.