American Assn of Critical-Care Nurses Recognizes the Intensive Care Unit at White Plains Hospital With Bronze Beacon Award

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), Aliso Viejo, Calif., recently conferred a bronze-level Beacon Award for Excellence on the ICU at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, NY.

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 earn 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.

White Plains Hospital is a repeated recipient of the Beacon award; the ICU having first received it in 2014, and the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) in 2016.

AACN President Clareen Wiencek, RN, PhD, ACNP, ACHPN, applauds the commitment of the White Plains Hospital ICU caregivers 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,” she explains.

The award signifies success in developing, deploying and integrating unit-based performance criteria for optimal outcomes. The White Plains Hospital ICU earned a bronze 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

Leigh Anne McMahon, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at White Plains Hospital said, “It is an honor to once again be recognized with the AACN Beacon Award for Excellence. Like our entire Magnet®-designated nursing division, the ICU team is comprised of some of the most dedicated professionals in the industry who provide the highest quality of care to our patients, and this award is a very meaningful validation of our ongoing commitment to excellence.”