Kenmore Mercy Hospital ICU Receives Gold-Level Beacon Award for Nursing Excellence
The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Kenmore Mercy Hospital has been named a recipient of the Gold-Level Beacon Award for Excellence presented by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). The award recognizes the nation’s highest performing hospital nursing units for excellence in professional practice, patient care, and clinical outcomes.
This is the fourth consecutive Beacon Award for Kenmore Mercy’s ICU and its first Gold recognition, which is the only one in Western New York and one of only 20 in New York State. The award’s progressive bronze, silver, and gold recognition levels represent hospitals’ ongoing efforts to continually improve patient care. Units that earn Beacon Award designation meet national criteria consistent with Magnet Recognition, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, and the National Quality Healthcare Award.
“In our continued pursuit of excellence, our ICU team consistently challenges itself against the highest performing teams in the country,” said Heather Telford, Vice President of Patient Care Services. “Every member of our team should be extremely proud of the care they provide, especially during these challenging times. Recognitions like this let our patients and community know that our ICU meets and exceeds the highest standards of care.”
Created to recognize nursing units that distinguish themselves in the care of patients and their families, the Beacon Award for Excellence is a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and a healthy work environment. To be eligible for the award, hospital units must meet defined criteria in the following categories: Leadership Structures and Systems; Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement; Effective Communication, Knowledge Management and Learning Development; Evidence-Based Practice and Processes; and Outcome Measurements.
“Our entire ICU team is committed to providing safe, high quality care to our critically-ill patients,” said Michael Gough, MD, System Medical Director of Critical Care for Catholic Health. “Nursing units that receive the Beacon Award for Excellence not only provide the very best care, but create an environment where clinicians want to work.”
