SARASOTA, Fla. (Jan. 13, 2016) – Sarasota Memorial's Cardiac Acute Telemetry Unit, which specializes in the care of heart failure patients, has been awarded the Silver Beacon Award of Excellence, a national recognition from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). A significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments, the prestigious honor recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve outcomes and meet national criteria consistent with Magnet Recognition, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.
Only 12 Telemetry Units in the U.S. have achieved this three-year designation, and Sarasota Memorial's Cardiac Acute/Heart Failure Unit is the only Heart Failure Unit in Florida to earn the honor.
“Our cardiac care team provides exemplary care to some of our most complex, critically ill patients, and the Beacon Award is a testament to the diligence and dedication they display each and every day,” said Sarasota Memorial Chief Nursing Officer Jan Mauck. “It's the latest example of the excellence Sarasota Memorial nurses demonstrate throughout the health system.
Cardiac Acute earned its silver award by participating in an extensive application process and meeting the following evidence-based criteria:
- Leadership Structures and Systems
- Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement
- Evidence-Based Practice and Processes
- Outcome Measurement.
- Effective Communication, Knowledge Management, Learning and Development
According to Beacon, this award reflects a unit with refined processes that are applied systematically. During the review of the application, Beacon reviewers also found clear and consistent application of processes and tools to support quality patient centered care, including a comprehensive orientation process and implementation of current evidence and guidelines. “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,” said AACN President Teri Lynn Kiss, RN, MS, MSSW, CNML, CMSRN.
About Sarasota Memorial:
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional referral center offering Southwest Florida’s greatest breadth and depth of inpatient, outpatient and extended care services, with more than 700,000 patient visits a year. Sarasota Memorial’s 819-bed acute care hospital has been recognized repeatedly for superior patient outcomes and a complete continuum of outpatient services– from urgent care walk-in clinics and physician groups, laboratory and diagnostic imaging centers, to home health and skilled nursing & rehabilitation.