St. Luke’s Hospital First in Texas to Receive Three AACN Beacon Awards
St. Luke’s Hospital in the Texas Medical Center is the first hospital in Texas to receive three Beacon Awards for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), demonstrating continuous learning and effective systems to achieve optimal patient care.
Units 7 Cooley A, a cardiovascular surgical intensive care unit, and 7 South 3, a medical/pulmonary critical care unit, both received gold-level designation Beacon Awards. Additionally, the 7 South 6 unit received silver-level designation and is the first nephrology unit in the nation to receive a Beacon Award.
The Beacon Award for Excellence — a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and a healthy work environment — recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six standards for a healthy work environment. Units that achieve this three-year, three-level award with gold, silver and bronze designations meet national criteria consistent with Magnet Recognition, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.
“This award is a true testament to the exceptional clinical teams at St. Luke’s and their unwavering commitment not only to patients, but also to patients’ families,” said Margaret M. Van Bree, MHA, DrPH, CEO, St. Luke’s Hospital and Senior Vice President, St. Luke’s Health System. “At St. Luke’s, we strive to deliver the highest level of faithful, loving care while improving patient outcomes and creating a collaborative work environment.”
Any hospital unit that meets evidence-based standards of excellence and patient safety can apply for the Beacon Award of Excellence, and the expert reviewers evaluation criteria includes:
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
“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 a role model to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care,” said AACN President Kathryn E. Roberts, RN, MSN, CNS, CCRN, CCNS.
