June 25, 2024– CentraState Medical Center’s critical care and step-down units have earned the national Silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), an organization that shapes progressive critical care nursing practice.

The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Units that achieve this three-year designation meet national criteria consistent with the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.

“This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our critical care nursing team and their commitment to providing patients and their families the highest level of care,” said Cathleen Janzekovich, PhD, RN, MA, FHELA, MEDSURG-BC, NEA-BC, vice president of patient services and chief nursing officer. “Our nurses represent the pinnacle of their practice, and we are proud to receive this recognition from the AACN.”

The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence earned by the critical care and step-down units signifies an approach to policies, procedures and processes that includes engagement of staff and key stakeholders. The unit has evaluation and improvement strategies in place and exceeds performance measures when compared to relevant benchmarks. Critical care and step-down units earned their silver award by meeting the following evidence-based Beacon Award for Excellence criteria:

• Leadership Structures and Systems
• Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement
• Effective Communication, Knowledge Management and Learning and Development
• Evidence-Based Practice and Processes
• Outcome Measurement

To learn more about the AACN Beacon Award for Excellence, visit aacn.org/beacon.