Cardiac and Vascular Intensive Care Unit at Washington Adventist Hospital Nationally Recognized for Excellence inPatient Care and Performance

Unit Awarded National Beacon Silver Level Award for Excellence

Takoma Park, MD – The Cardiac and Vascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) at Washington Adventist Hospital has been awarded the silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), making it the only hospital in Montgomery County, and one of only six in Maryland, to receive this prestigious national recognition. This three-year award marks a significant achievement in providing exceptional patient care and a healthy work environment.

The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Of the estimated 6,000 Intensive Care Units in the United States, only 315 have been recognized for excellence by this award.

“This is a wonderful achievement that recognizes the commitment of our caregivers for working together to provide exceptional patient care,” said Joyce Newmyer, President of Washington Adventist Hospital.“This national recognition helps continue our hospital’s legacy of providing the type of high-quality cardiac care our community has come to trust.”

The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence signifies continuous learning and effective systems toachieve optimal patient care. Washington Adventist Hospital’s CVICU earned its silver award by meetingthe following evidence-based Beacon Award for Excellence criteria:

• Leadership Structures and Systems
• Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement
• Effective Communication, Knowledge Management, Learning and Development, Best Practices
• Evidence-Based Practice and Processes
• Patient Outcomes

“We’re very proud of this recognition,” said Maria Jurlano, Director of the CVICU. “This is a true validation of the work and dedication of the CVICU team in doing the right thing for our patients and their families.”

“The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in stellar units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes. Units that receive this national recognition serve as role models to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care,” said AACN President Mary Stahl, RN, MSN, ACNS-BC, CCNS-CMC, CCRN.

Since Washington Adventist Hospital performed the area’s first heart surgery in 1962, it has been continually recognized for the comprehensive, quality heart care provided to residents, and other regional firsts. In addition to being the first accredited Cycle III Chest Pain Center in the DC Metro Area,Washington Adventist Hospital is designated as a cardiac interventional center and primary stroke centerby the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS). The hospital has also received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline Bronze Performance Achievement Award and the ACTION Registry-GWTG Silver Performance Achievement Award, both recognizing excellence in cardiac care, and most recently the Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association for expert, high quality stroke care.

Washington Adventist Hospital is a 252-bed acute-care facility located in Takoma Park, Maryland. Washington Adventist Hospital is Montgomery County’s first cardiac center, performing more than 500 open-heart surgeries and more than 6,000 heart catheterizations each year. The Hospital is the first accredited Cycle III Chest Pain Center in the DC Metro Area. Washington Adventist Hospital is part of Adventist HealthCare, an integrated health-care delivery system based in Rockville, Maryland, that is one of the largest employers in the state of Maryland.