Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit 4NNB/C
of Barrow Neurological Institute and St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence
Fall 2009 – 2010 Recipient
The Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (4NNB/C) of Barrow Neurological Institute and St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona is the recipient of the Fall 2009–2010 Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence.
According to the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), the Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence® was created in 2003 by the AACN to challenge acute and critical care nurses to improve the care provided to acutely and critically ill patients. The application process and Award provides the critical care community a quantitative and qualitative way to view achievements in professional practice, patient outcomes and the health of the work environment.
About the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (4NNB/C)
of Barrow Neurological Institute and St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
The Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit’s (4NNB/C) vision is “dedicated to patients committed to excellence” but this is more than just a vision on paper—it is a way of life and a way of nursing for us. Our dedication to patients can be seen in the remarkable compliments we receive from both patients and families about their care. One letter from a patient's husband stated, "I am able to leave ICU knowing that [my wife] is in the best environment surrounded by the best." Our dedication to patient care can also be heard from our patients and families during discharge phone calls. Often they will ask to recognize staff for the care they received on the unit, serving to remind us of our nurses’ caring and loving approach during the difficult time.
The dedication of the 4NNB/C staff is not confined to their patients and families—it extends to the community we serve. In 2008 the unit began its “beyond these four walls” projects seeking to give back something to the larger global and local communities. Over the past 24 months, through several staff-driven fund raising initiatives, the 4NNB/C staff
- raised over $2,500 for the heart, stroke, and liver walks
- sponsored two children from India
- sent 250 “packages from home” to our troops abroad
- sent five chickens, four ducks, and two goats to Africa
- created over 200 Easter Baskets for homeless children
- provided school supplies to over 9 children for the year ahead in our back to school drive
- adopted two families of five for Christmas
- adopted a classroom of 20 underprivileged children in the local school system for gifts and a Christmas party annually
Each year the staff hosts a Thanksgiving dinner on the unit for the families of patients forced to spend the holiday away from home. This expression of generosity and companionship helps to bring joy and home comforts on this special day to staff and families alike.
The staff's commitment to excellence can be seen in many different ways, not least in the number of specialty certifications our staff hold. Our staff is self-motivated and directed, as evidenced by the number of them who attend CCRN and CNRN review classes, cross train to the trauma room, and seek ATLS certification and continued professional growth and development by attending and presenting at multiple local and national conferences.
For more information, visit American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
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