HERSHEY, Pa. — The Medical Intermediate Care Unit (MIMCU) at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center earned the esteemed Silver Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
“MIMCU’s achievement of the Silver-level Beacon is recognition and validation of the exceptional care that they provide to their patients,” said Abigail Rudy, vice president of nursing for adult critical care at Hershey Medical Center. “I am very proud of the MIMCU staff and all that they do to create a healthy work environment that supports the needs of patients and staff.”
The three-year Beacon Awards, presented at Gold, Silver and Bronze levels, honor hospital units that employ evidence-based practices to improve patient and family outcomes. The Silver-level Beacon Award recognizes critical care units for exceptional patient care and healthy work environments.
MIMCU’s Beacon brings the total to four Beacon Awards for critical care units at the Medical Center. MIMCU joins Surgical Anesthesia Intensive Care Unit and the Medical Intensive Care Unit as a Silver Beacon Unit. The Heart and Vascular Progressive Care Unit obtained the Gold Beacon designation.
A panel of expert reviewers highlighted several areas of strength in MIMCU, including implementing action plans to improve physician and staff communication and creating a mentor program for new staff nurses.
“The MIMCU is an extraordinary team,” said Jeffrey Fine, MIMCU nurse manager. “Our Beacon Award highlights the inspiring work the team achieves every day for our patients, families, and each other.”
To receive a Beacon designation, a hospital unit must meet the AACN’s defined criteria in six categories: Leadership Structures and Systems; Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement; Effective Communication, Knowledge Management and Learning Development; Evidence-Based Practice and Processes; and Outcome Measurements.
Each MIMCU employee will receive a pin in recognition of the unit’s achievement.