A beacon is definedin several ways: A signal for guidance

A source of light or inspiration

To light up; to illuminate

A light that can be seen from a distance

A navigational signal

A light that gives warning to passing ships

A call to assemble for some great purpose

The Beacon AwardRecognizes

Adult Critical Care Units

Pediatric Critical Care Units

Progressive Care Units

that achieve the highest quality outcomes

The Beacon Award Provides a mechanism for units to measure their

systems, outcomes and environments against evidence-based national criteria for excellence

Sets standards in six categories that impact patient care and outcomes:

- Recruitment and Retention- Education, Training and Mentoring - Research and Evidence-based Practice - Patient Outcomes- Leadership and Organizational Ethics- Healing Environment

Is increasingly linked to patient safety initiatives

Why Beacon?

Accomplishment & Acclaim

Progress Measurement

Recruitment & Retention

National & Local Recognition

Patient Care & Safety

Additional Benefits

Why Beacon?

Accomplishment & AcclaimBeacon Award units have met rigid criteria for excellence, exhibiting high-quality standards and exceptional care of patients and patients' families

Consumers, who are paying much closer attention today to quality-of-care factors with respect to their own healthcare, will take this into consideration when choosing a hospital for care or treatment

“ “Compiling the data (for the Beacon Award application) has validated to me and my colleagues the high standards to which we hold ourselves, our passion and commitment to critical care nursing and the value we recognize in each other.

Critical Care UnitReston Hospital CenterReston, Virginia

Why Beacon?

Progress MeasurementThe Beacon Award has given the critical care community a definitive and quantitative way to view success

Units that take this opportunity to measure themselves against established criteria are committed to excellence in critical care nursing, exceptional care for patients and healthy work environments

“ “

We want to recognize AACN for the positive influence this program is bringing to criticalcare nurses and their patients across the country. We strive daily to become better than the day before, putting patient care, teamwork and professionalism at the pinnacle of this objective.

Coronary Intensive Care UnitHarborview Medical CenterSeattle, Washington

Why Beacon?

Recruitment & RetentionProspective employees recognize a Beacon Award unit as a healthy work environment, a place where quality of care is tied directly to quality of staff

Nurses who work in a Beacon Award unit recognize that their skills and expertise are appreciated and valued, boosting employee morale

“ “What makes the Beacon Award so special is that it was a team-member-driven initiative. It demonstrates the team’s commitment to our service excellence standards and our values of Trust, Dignity, Respect, Responsibility and Excellence.

Medical/Surgical Intensive Care UnitSt. Anthony’s Health CareSt. Petersburg, Florida

Why Beacon?

National & Local RecognitionBeacon Award units are publicly recognized at the local and national levels, receiving coverage from their local media, AACN News (distributed to more than 90,000 acute and critical care nurses across the country) and other national publications

A dedicated area on the AACN Web site also features each unit’s accomplishments, drawing an average of 12,000 visitors to the Beacon Web page each month

“ “Not only was our unit name displayed withall the other Beacon recipients at the National Teaching Institute® (NTI) last May, our hospital even put up a billboard on Interstate 95 to recognize our unit as achieving Beacon Award excellence.

ICU-CCUNorwalk HospitalNorwalk, Connecticut

Why Beacon?

Patient Care & SafetyUnits that participate in the Beacon Award process help set the standards for excellent critical care by measuring their systems, outcomes and environment against evidence-based criteria

Patient safety and quality programs, such as the Leapfrog Group Hospital Quality and Safety Survey, consider Beacon achievement in their evaluation process

“ “

The Intensive Care Unit at St. Cloud Hospital, serving the Central Minnesota area, is honored to be a recipient of theBeacon Award for Critical Care Excellence … we have worked to transform the ICU ... we have significantly improved our patient outcomes.

Intensive Care UnitSt. Cloud HospitalSt. Cloud, Minnesota

Why Beacon?

Additional BenefitsMarsh Affinity Group Services makes available a 10% premium credit for professional liability insurance to any healthcare employee in a recognized Beacon Award unit

Take the Beacon JourneyThe Beacon process gives acute and critical nurses the tools they need to improve their work environment and the care their patients receive

So take the first step today by visitingus at www.aacn.org/beacon

A wonderful journey awaits you!