Children’s PICU Earns Highest Recognition
MADERA – The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Children’s Hospital Central California has earned a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. Only three PICUs in California and 11 PICUs nationwide earned this recognition.
Children’s PICU met national criteria consistent with the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award and the National Healthcare Award.
Reviewers specifically noted the hospital’s Pediatric Nurse Extern program, which grooms interested students to become nurses. This helps address the challenge of gradually replacing an aging workforce. Children’s unit support for holistic care was also mentioned as an area of strength. Through this program, a primary nurse is assigned to patients who are frequently admitted to the PICU. This allows the nurse to develop an extensive understanding of the patient’s needs and nuances of their care.
The national three-year award with gold, silver and bronze designations marks a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and achieving a healthy work environment. The PICU earned the Gold Award by meeting the following evidence-based criteria:
- Leadership Structures and Systems
- Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement
- Effective Communication, Knowledge Management, Learning and Development, Best Practices
- Evidence-Based Practice and Processes
- Patient Outcomes
The Beacon Award for Excellence was established in 2003 and offers a road map to help guide exceptional care through improved outcomes and greater overall patient satisfaction.
