The award recognizes the nation’s top hospital units caring for acutely and critically ill patients. The CSICU was one of 31 units at 27 hospitals in 17 states that were honored, and the only one in Oregon.
“Working toward, and ultimately earning, a Beacon Award sends a clear message that these exceptional unit teams are committed to making continuous improvements in providing exceptional patient care fostered by a healthy work environment,” said Caryl Goodyear-Bruch, R.N., Ph.D., C.C.R.N., president of the AACN.
The award provides a mechanism for adult critical care, progressive care and pediatric intensive care units to measure their systems, outcomes and environment against evidence-based national criteria for excellence.
Winning the Beacon Award showed that the OHSU CSICU had met or exceeded standards – as measured against evidence-based national criteria – in recruitment and retention; education, training and mentoring; research and evidence-based practice; patient outcomes; leadership and organizational ethics; and healing environment.
“Being recognized by our national organization of peers, as part of a competitive process, is such an honor,” said CSICU staff nurse Colleen M. Casey, M.S., R.N., C.N.S., C.C.R.N. “Our staff and the patients, families, and other hospital staff we work with know what a great job we do on a daily basis. We are all so excited that the Beacon Award helps formalize this recognition of our clinical and professional strengths.” Casey is a member of OHSU’s Unit-Based Nursing Practice Council.
About OHSU
Oregon Health & Science University is the state’s only health and research university, and Oregon’s only academic health center. OHSU is Portland's largest employer and the fourth largest in Oregon (excluding government), with 12,400 employees. OHSU's size contributes to its ability to provide many services and community support activities not found anywhere else in the state. It serves patients from every corner of the state, and is a conduit for learning for more than 3,400 students and trainees. OHSU is the source of more than 200 community outreach programs that bring health and education services to every county in the state.