Miriam Hospital ICU attains silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence

The Intensive Care Unit at The Miriam Hospital has attained a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence from The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). The three-year award recognizes the hospital for its exceptional patient care and improved patient outcomes, and practices that follow the AACN's six Healthy Work Environment Standards.

"Receiving the Beacon Award affirms the remarkable commitment the Miriam Hospital nursing staff and the entire interdisciplinary team provide to the critically ill patients we serve," said Maria Ducharme, MS, RN, NEA-BC, senior vice president of Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer at The Miriam. "This consistent emphasis on improved quality of care naturally leads to improved patient outcomes, and that's what we're always striving for."

The Beacon Award signifies continuous learning and effective systems to achieve optimal patient care. Recipients must meet national criteria consistent with Magnet Recognition, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award. That is:

• Leadership structures and systems
• Appropriate staffing and staff engagement
• Effective communication, knowledge management, learning and development
• Evidence-based practice and processes
• Outcome measurement

"The Miriam ICU team works hard each day to meet and exceed high standards such as those put forth by the Beacon Award," said Ducharme, "and our work doesn't stop here. We'll continue working hard to ensure that we're delivering health with care."

AACN President Vicki Good, RN, MSN, CENP, praised The Miriam's Beacon Award distinction, noting how the honor recognizes caregivers 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 said.

The Miriam Hospital together with Lifespan partners Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children's Hospital comprise the four ICUs in the State that have received the Beacon Award.