The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), recently recognized the Medical ICU Department at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital with the silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence, making both ICUs the only Beacon critical care units in Fort Bend County.

 

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.

 

AACN President Lisa Riggs, MSN, RN, CNL, CCRN-CSC, applauds the commitment of the interprofessional team in the Medical ICU at Houston Methodist Sugar Land 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.

 

“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 silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence signifies an effective and systematic approach to achieve optimal patient care by meeting the following evidence-based criteria:

  • Leadership Structures and Systems
  • Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement
  • Effective Communication, Knowledge Management, and Learning and Development
  • Evidence-Based Practices and Processes
  • Outcome Measurement

 

“Having been awarded the silver-level Beacon Award of Nursing Excellence is a true testament to the level of dedication and focus the unit has in providing exceptional patient care.  It is a very significant milestone for the unit, especially since the Medical ICU only opened Feb. 2016,” said Charlene Manzano, nurse manager of the Medical ICU. “It is a team achievement as the award is a validation of what the nurses, in collaboration of the other members of the ICU interprofessional team, do at the bedside and I am truly honored and proud to work with such a wonderful team.”