Rhode Island Hospital has earned a second Beacon Award for nursing excellence from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). The silver award was conferred to the medical-surgical unit on the third floor of the Cooperative Care Center in recognition of meeting or exceeding national quality standards for improved patient outcomes and for a healthy work environment. The unit is only the fourth medical-surgical unit in the U.S., and the only one in New England, to receive this award. The hospital’s first Beacon Award was given to the cardiothoracic intensive care unit in 2010 and 2011.
“Receiving the Beacon Award for nursing excellence on a second unit – and being among the first four medical-surgical units in the country to receive this recognition – is truly something our nursing staff should be proud of,” said Timothy J. Babineau, president of Rhode Island Hospital and president and chief executive officer of Lifespan. “This award demonstrates that the American Association of Critical Care Nurses recognizes Rhode Island Hospital’s commitment to excellence, our dedication to providing the highest quality nursing care, and our focus on the patient care experience.”
The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence signifies continuous learning and effective systems to achieve optimal patient care. The unit staff earned its silver award by meeting the evidence-based Beacon Award for Excellence criteria, including leadership structures and systems, appropriate staffing and staff engagement, effective communication and training, and outcome measurement.
“The nursing staff at Rhode Island Hospital are dedicated professionals who strive every day to provide the best possible medical care to our patients, and support for their families,” said Barbara Riley, Rhode Island Hospital’s senior vice president and chief nursing officer. “We are honored to be among the first medical-surgical units in the country to receive this award, and appreciate the AACN’s recognition of nursing excellence.”
