Kaiser Permanente Fremont ICU Receives Award from AACN

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recently conferred a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence on the Intensive Care Unit of the Kaiser Permanente Fremont Medical Center.

The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN's Healthy Work Environment Standards. Units that achieve this three-year, three-level award meet national criteria consistent with Magnet(r) Recognition, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.

"We're very proud to receive this recognition of the excellent care our nurses, physicians and staff deliver for our most critical patients in Fremont," said Karen Tejcka, chief nurse executive/chief operating officer of the Kaiser Permanente Fremont Medical Center. "Conditions that require intensive care are the most complex, and spending time in the ICU is trying not only for patients but also for their families. The Beacon Award recognizes the great healing work of our caregivers as well as the thoughtful and caring ways that they communicate with patients and families during a difficult time."

"I'm proud that the American Association of Critical Care nurses recognizes the wonderful work of our ICU professionals," said Eric Cain, MD, physician-in-chief of the Fremont Medical Center. "Every day our nurses, physicians and staff work compassionately to do the very best for our patients and their families."

The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence earned by the Fremont Medical Center Intensive Care Unit signifies an effective approach to policies, procedures and processes that includes engagement of staff and key stakeholders. The unit has evaluation and improvement strategies in place and good performance measures when compared to relevant benchmarks. The Intensive Care Unit 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 and Learning and Development
• Evidence-Based Practice and Processes
• Outcome Measurement

In addition to a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit, the 106-bed Fremont Medical Center provides emergency services, surgery services in 6 operating rooms, and a wide range of preventive and general care. Bariatric surgery, stroke care, dermatology, and reproductive health are among its specialized services. The Fremont Medical Center is also home to Kaiser Permanente's first Medical Psychiatric Inpatient Unit in Northern California, which will provide treatment for patients needing both psychiatric and medical care in an inpatient setting.