The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has awarded 6 Bedtower (6BT) a gold-level “Beacon Award for Excellence” at UNC Medical Center.
The Beacon application unfolds a story of a nursing unit’s continuous pursuit of excellence and often tells a story of resilience. Patient Services Manager Turkeisha Brown, MSN, RN, NE-BC, says the three-year recognition represents the efforts of the entire 6BT team.
“This award could not have come at a better time and would not have happened without each and every one of you,” Brown wrote in an email to the unit. “Although we have our struggles and tough times, overall, we are a GREAT team and we remain steadfast in our purpose. Despite all that we have been through in the last 20 months, you continue to shine bright like gold!”
Brown said this is the third designation for 6BT, since 2015, and the first Gold. She added that the timing is especially momentous because the application was submitted and the designation received while the team was challenged with serving as the acute care Covid unit.
The patient population of 6BT includes adult medicine patients with pulmonary or infectious diseases. Many patients require medical care for COPD, pneumonia, asthma, cystic fibrosis, as well as those patients with AIDS, meningitis, and sepsis.
The gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence earned by 6BT signifies excellent and sustained unit performance and patient outcomes, meeting the following criteria:
- Leadership Structures and Systems
- Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement
- Effective Communication, Knowledge Management, Learning and Development
- Evidence-Based Practice and Processes
- Outcome Measurement
Read more about Nurse Manager Turkeisha Brown and 6 Bedtower on the front lines of COVID-19, from the UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine Newsroom.