The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses recently conferred a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence on the Cardiac ICU at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.
The Beacon Award for Excellence 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 the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.
“As a six-time redesignated Magnet hospital, recognizing nursing excellence, I’m aware of the amazing care provided by our outstanding nurses each and every day,” Ellen Angelo, chief nursing officer, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, said. “I congratulate our entire Cardiac ICU team for receiving this wonderful acknowledgement of the high-level of care they provide their patients.”
AACN President Terry Davis applauded the exemplary efforts of the Cardiac ICU caregivers at Jersey Shore University Medical Center 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 the exceptional community of nurses who set the standard for optimal patient care,” Davis said. “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.”
Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s Cardiac ICU team earned a gold 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, and learning and development;
- Evidence-based practice and processes; and
- Outcome measurement.
“The Cardiac ICU team’s achievement of the gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence is indicative of the type of exemplary care provided by our world class nursing staff at Jersey Shore,” Dr. Kenneth Sable, regional president, Southern Market, Hackensack Meridian Health, said.
The other Beacon Award designations are silver and bronze. Four other Hackensack Meridian hospitals’ intensive care units have received silver awards, including Hackensack University Medical Center, Riverview Medical Center, Old Bridge Medical Center and Raritan Bay Medical Center.
Recipients who earn a silver-level award demonstrate an effective approach to policies, procedures and processes that include engagement of staff and key stakeholders; evaluation and improvement strategies; and good performance measures when compared to relevant benchmarks.
