The Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (NSCU) at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) has received the Silver Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). NSUH is one of just 18 hospitals with critical care units in New York State and the only one in the tri-state area to receive this prestigious recognition.
“I’m very excited to have the NSCU recognized on a national level for the excellent care provided by our staff,” said Laura Iacono, RN, the unit’s nurse manager. “This is a testament to their dedication, professionalism and the extraordinary patient care delivered to each patient every day. The NSCU’s team is an outstanding group of professional men and women and I am in awe of the amazing work they do.”
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 a gold, silver or bronze designation meet national criteria consistent with Magnet Recognition, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.
“This award is an incredible accomplishment of our NSCU staff,” said Tara Laumenede, RN, the hospital’s senior administrative director, patient care services. “Patients and their families should feel 100 percent confident knowing that they will receive the utmost care.”
AACN President Karen McQuillan, RN, applauded the commitment of the caregivers at North Shore University Hospital’s NSCU for working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence. These dedicated healthcare professionals join other members of the 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,” Ms. McQuillan explained.
The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence earned by NSUH’s NSCU signifies continuous learning and effective systems to achieve optimal patient care.
NSUH’s NSCU earned its silver 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, Learning and Development
• Evidence-Based Practice and Processes
• Outcome Measurement
“Our NSCU team provides the highest quality of specialty care to our patients with 24-7 intensivist coverage,” said Richard Temes, MD, NSUH’s director, Center for Neurocritical Care. “Our dedicated staff of doctors, nurses, neurointensivists, physical and occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, nutritionists and social workers provides expert care via a team approach to the management of critically ill patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, intracerebral hemorrhage, complicated stroke and other disorders.”
AACN honors NSUH’s NSCU and other Beacon Award for Excellence recipients with announcements in AACN Bold Voices, the monthly award-winning member magazine distributed to more than 100,000 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.
