Bayhealth’s Critical Care Units Receive Silver Beacon Award for Excellence from American Association of Critical Care Nurses

The Intensive and Intermediate Care units at Bayhealth received the silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). This marks the first time these units have applied for and achieved this prestigious national distinction.

Bayhealth’s Cardiovascular Surgical Intensive Care Unit (CVSICU), 2 North (Kent Campus) and 5B (Sussex Campus) hospital units are being recognized for demonstrating exceptional patient outcomes, healthy work environments and sustained commitment to evidence-based nursing practices. Together, these units provide specialized, life-saving care to makes sure every patient who is very sick or recovering from big surgeries get the exact amount of help they need at the right time.

“This achievement is a testament to our excellence in nursing practice and our ongoing commitment to improving patient outcomes and providing patient-centered care,” said Bayhealth Chief Nurse Executive Rosi Wurster, DNP, RN, EA-BC, FACHE. “We celebrate this milestone and look forward to continuing to elevate care for our community.”

The Beacon Award for Excellence signifies excellence in nursing and reflects the units’ dedication to improving patient safety, quality outcomes and staff engagement. The silver-level recognition places the CVSICU, 2 North and 5B units among an elite group of critical care/progressive units nationwide that meet rigorous standards across leadership structures, staff empowerment, patient-centered care and continuous quality improvement. Units that achieve this one-year, three-level award with a gold, silver or bronze designation meet national criteria consistent with the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.

AACN President Jennifer Adamski, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM, applauds the commitment of the caregivers on the CVSICU, 2 North and 5B units at Bayhealth 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 our exceptional community of nurses, who set the standard for optimal patient care.

“The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in outstanding 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.

Visit AACN.org/BeaconAward for more information about the Beacon Award for Excellence.