Press release
From Mission Health:
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (May 24, 2013) – Mission Hospital’s Coli Critical Care ICU is the recipient of the silver- level Beacon Award for Excellence, given by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
The Beacon Award for Excellence is a significant milestone on the path to achieving exceptional patient care and a healthy work environment. The award recognizes exceptional unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six standards for a healthy work environment.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award from the AACN. The Beacon Award designation allows our patients to recognize they will be cared for by a nursing team that exceeds the highest standards of excellence in the critical care environment,” Karen Olsen, MBA, BSN, RN, NE-BC, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Mission Hospital, said. “This achievement signifies our path to achieving Mission Health’s BIG(GER) Aim: to get each patient to the desired outcome, first without harm, also without waste and with an exceptional experience for the patient and family.”
The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence earned by Mission Hospital’s Coli Critical Care ICU represents continuous learning and effective systems to achieve optimal patient care. The Coli Critical Care ICU earned its 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, Learning and Development, Best Practices
• Evidence-based Practice and Processes
• Patient OutcomesAACN President Kathryn E. Roberts, RN, MSN, CNS, CCRN, CCNS, applauds the commitment of the caregivers at Mission Hospital’s Coli ICU for working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence. These dedicated healthcare professionals join other members of this exceptional community of nurses who set the standard for optimal patient care.
“The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in stellar units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes,” Roberts said. “Units that receive this national recognition serve as a role model to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care.”
Achieving this triennial, three-level award, which has gold, silver and bronze designations, signifies Mission Hospital’s Coli Critical Care ICU meets national criteria consistent with MagnetRecognition, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.
AACN recognizes awardees at the National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition, the world’s largest educational conference and trade show for nurses who care for acutely and critically ill patients and their families.Established in 2003, the Beacon Award for Excellence offers a map to help guide exceptional care through improved outcomes and greater overall patient satisfaction. U.S. and Canadian units where patients receive their principal nursing care after hospital admission qualify for this excellence award. To learn more, visit www.aacn.org/beacon or call (800) 899-2226.
About Mission Hospital
Mission Hospital, based in Asheville, N.C., is a not-for-profit hospital that serves as the regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care in western North Carolina and the adjoining region. Mission Hospital houses the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. It also includes Mission Children’s Hospital – the region’s only children’s hospital. Mission Hospital has seven Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Heart, Mission Children’s Hospital, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Trauma and Women’s Health.
Mission Hospital is the flagship hospital of Mission Health, recognized as one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems in 2012 and 2013 by Thomson Reuters and Truven Health Analytics, respectively.Mission Health is one of only two medium-sized health systems to receive this recognition in 2012 and 2013 and is the only health system in North Carolina to achieve that distinction. This year, Mission Hospital was also ranked as one of the nation’s Top 100 Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics for a record fifth consecutive year, and named as one of the “100 Great Hospitals in America” by Becker’s Hospital Review. Mission Hospital was further recognized nationally by The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems as one of North Carolina’s “Patient Picks” hospitals, was named a “Standout Hospital” by U.S. News & World Report and tied for second as one of “Business North Carolina’s Best Hospitals.” Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina also named Mission Hospital a “Cutting-Edge Hospital” for quality and expertise in the delivery of specific surgical procedures. Mission Hospital is licensed for 730 beds and employs more than 6,500 people, including over 1,800 RNs. Mission Hospital is committed to serving its community and improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission-health.org.

About Mission Health
Mission Health, based in Asheville, N.C., is the state’s sixth-largest health system and the region’s only not-for-profit, independent community hospital system governed and managed exclusively in western North Carolina. Mission Health was recognized as one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems in 2012 and 2013 by Thomson Reuters and Truven Health Analytics, respectively. Mission Health is one of only two medium-sized health systems to receive this recognition in 2012 and 2013, and the only health system in North Carolina to achieve that distinction.
Mission Health, which traces its roots in the region back to 1885, operates five hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. Its medical staff consists of more than 1,000 physicians and is certified in more than 50 medical specialties and sub- specialties. Mission Health has seven Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Heart, Mission Children’s Hospital, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Trauma and Women’s Health. Mission Hospital, located in Asheville, is the system’s flagship hospital and is licensed for 730 beds. It is the regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care. It also includes Mission Children’s Hospital – the region’s only children’s hospital. Other Mission Health member hospitals include Angel Medical Center in Franklin, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, McDowell Hospital in Marion and Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard. With approximately 9,500 employees and 700 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission- health.org.
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