NCMC intensive care unit receives national award for quality, care
GREELEY, Colo. (April 9, 2010) — North Colorado Medical Center has received national recognition for quality and excellent care provided by the Intensive Care Unit.
The Beacon Award for Critical Care excellence is given by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and recognizes the nation’s top pediatric, progressive and critical care units. The award represents extraordinary commitment to high-quality critical care standards and dedication to the exceptional care of the patients and their families.
As a Beacon Award recipient, the NCMC Intensive Care Unit succeeded in the following areas as measured against evidence-based national criteria:
- Recruitment and retention of staff
- Education, training and mentoring
- Research and evidence-based practice
- Patient outcomes
- Leadership and organization ethics
- Creation of a healing environment.
The nurses’ association hopes that by designating a hospital as a Beacon Award winner, that hospital will serve as an inspiration and provide positive examples to other critical care units.
The Intensive Care Unit at NCMC has 16 beds and more than 50 staff members to care for critically ill or injured patients. Thirty-eight nurses work in the unit, and 16 of those have obtained the advanced training and designation of certified critical care registered nurse.
“I am very proud of the staff in obtaining this recognition. Staff members Tom Lang and Sara Allen completed our application and showcased our excellent unit and thus led to this prestigious recognition from AACN,” said Maggi Basinger, director of the Intensive Care Unit and Western States Burn Center. “Our entire staff should be very proud to be recognized among the best ICUs in the nation and it is truly well deserved.”
