The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital has earned a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).

The Beacon Award for Excellence—a prestigious milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments—recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with the 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 the Magnet® Recognition Program, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award. There are currently 37 Beacon units in Texas, and of those, only seven have achieved Beacon Award Gold level designation for an adult intensive care unit.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the outstanding nurses and staff who worked so hard to achieve this prestigious critical care nursing honor,” said Dorothy Terry, BSN, RN, CCRN, nursing director of critical care at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital. “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.”

AACN President Christine Schulman, MS, RN, CNS, CCRN-K, applauds the commitment of the caregivers at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital 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 our exceptional community of nurses, who set the standard for optimal patient care,” Schulman said.

The gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence earned by the ICU signifies an effective and systematic approach to policies, procedures and processes that include engagement of staff and key stakeholders; fact-based evaluation strategies for continuous process improvement; and performance measures that meet or exceed relevant benchmarks.

Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital’s ICU earned the gold level designation for the Beacon Award by demonstrating excellence in leadership structures and systems, appropriate staffing and staff engagement; effective communication, knowledge management and learning and development; evidence-based practice and processes and outcome measurements.

 

 

 

About Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital

Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital has provided Baytown and East Houston with quality medical care since opening its doors in 1948. The hospital has grown throughout the years with the community, providing comprehensive care at all stages of life. As a health care leader, the hospital is proud to have a fully integrated residency program focused on educating and inspiring future practitioners. Today, Houston Methodist San Jacinto provides some of the most advanced and innovative procedures while never losing focus on compassionate and patient-centered care. Houstonmethodist.org/sanjacinto.

 

 

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. and 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, and learning and development; evidence-based practice and processes; and outcome measurement. To learn more, visit www.aacn.org/beacon, or call 800.899.2226.