EAST JEFFERSON GENERAL HOSPITAL CELEBRATES RECEIVING BEACON AWARD DESIGNATIONS AGAIN THIS YEAR

Of the three units awarded across the state, two are within East Jefferson General Hospital, underscoring the dedication to nursing excellence at the hospital   

East Jefferson General Hospital (EJGH) announces that two different units at their hospital have received Beacon Award designations from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).  

The Surgical Pulmonary Progressive Care Unit at EJGH has been honored with the prestigious Silver Beacon Award designation, and the Cardiovascular Progressive Care Unit at EJGH received the Gold Beacon Award designation. These recognitions are particularly significant as it marks the second year in a row EJGH has been honored with these awards – including the Cardiovascular Progressive Care Unit moving from a Bronze designation last year to this year’s Gold designation. 

"Receiving back-to-back Beacon Awards is a powerful validation of the culture of excellence we have built here at East Jefferson General Hospital,” said Greg Nielsen, CEO of EJGH. “I am especially proud to see our Cardiovascular Progressive Care Unit achieve the Gold designation this year – a testament to our team’s relentless drive to elevate the standard of heart health in our region. These honors reflect our unwavering commitment to providing our community with world-class care right here at home." 

The AACN Beacon Award for Excellence is a prestigious designation recognizing hospital units that improve patient outcomes and create healthy work environments. The program features three levels—Gold, Silver and Bronze—validating unit-based excellence in evidence-based care, leadership and collaboration.  

In reviewing a unit for the Beacon Award designation, the AACN focuses on three key areas: nursing workforce, work environment and patient outcomes. The Beacon Awards granted to the units at EJGH recognize nursing excellence within the unit and their dedication to providing outstanding care in an environment that prioritizes patients and fosters a positive workplace.  

"The Beacon Award is one of the highest honors in nursing because it looks beyond just clinical skill; it recognizes the heart of what we do: collaboration, evidence-based practice and creating a healthy environment where both nurses and patients can thrive,” said Ruby Brewer, Chief Nursing Officer of EJGH. “Seeing our Surgical Pulmonary and Cardiovascular teams recognized by the AACN again this year is incredibly rewarding. It highlights the dedication of our nursing staff to not only meeting national benchmarks but consistently exceeding them to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients." 

The Surgical Pulmonary Progressive Care Unit at EJGH is a specialized unit that provides care for patients suffering from respiratory failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, lung cancer and other respiratory conditions. A leader for heart health in the region, the Cardiovascular Progressive Care Unit at EJGH specializes in both cardiac and vascular surgeries as well as cardiac interventions.