Lee Health’s Trauma Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Gulf Coast Medical Center is pleased to be awarded a national three-year honor by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). The Beacon Award for Excellence is a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments. It recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards.
Units that achieve this three-year, three-level award with a gold, silver or bronze designation meet national criteria consistent with the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.
The silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence signifies an effective approach to policies, procedures and processes that includes engagement of staff and key stakeholders. The Trauma Center earned the designation for its leadership structures and systems, appropriate staffing and staff engagement, effective communication, knowledge management and learning and development, evidence-based practice and processes and outcome measurement.
Lee Health’s Trauma Center is also located at Gulf Coast Medical Center. It is the only state-approved Level II trauma center between Sarasota and Miami and currently averages around 400 patients each month.
While trauma centers offer immediate lifesaving measures, ICUs provide longer term critical care solutions. Patients may be admitted to the trauma center for potentially life-threatening injuries that can be resolved quickly. Other severe injuries may require prolonged hospitalization in the ICU.
“I am proud of this team and thrilled they are being recognized for their commitment to compassionate, lifesaving care that they provide to our residents and visitors every day,” said chief officer of community-based care, Kris Fay. “The ICU provides the critical care and life support acutely ill and injured patients need, and this team goes above and beyond to provide the best possible experience while working on some of the most urgent and challenging cases.”
Trauma centers play a key role in saving thousands of lives by ensuring that severely injured patients receive critical care within the “Golden Hour.” Treatment administered during this crucial first hour following severe injury can mean the difference between temporary and permanent disability and even life and death.
The Trauma Center is also a resource for the community to help raise awareness of injury prevention and safety with programs, including High Risk Driver, Young Driver Program, Youth Violence Prevention, Driving Safety for Seniors, Falls Prevention and Sports Injury Prevention.
Gulf Coast Medial Center is located at 13681 Doctor’s Way, Fort Myers, FL, 33912.
To learn more about any of Lee Health’s trauma services, including the award-winning Trauma ICU, please visit www.leehealth.org.
