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What's New With the Beacon Award for Excellence?

Beacon Handbook Update - Effective July 1, 2013

In 2010, AACN updated the criteria for the Beacon Award for Excellence. The Beacon Award for Excellence continues to incorporate:

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

Here are the Changes

  • Open to all units: Any hospital unit (wherever a patient receives principal nursing care after hospital admission) that meets evidence-based standards of excellence and patient safety can apply.
    • In the past, only adult and pediatric critical care units and progressive care units were eligible. 
  • Status change: The Beacon Award will include three levels so that a unit can chart its excellence journey over time.
    • Bronze, silver and gold recipients receive a three-year designation.
  • Multiple program criteria: New criteria align closely with those of other programs — such as the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award, Magnet Recognition Program, the AACN Healthy Work Environment Standards and the National Quality Forum Safe Practices for Better Healthcare — making it easier when a hospital applies for multiple national recognition programs.
  • Review process: Applications are assigned to a panel of expert reviewers, trained in the criteria.
    • All of the information submitted in the application is completely confidential.
      • Every application receives a summary review with recommendations. 
    • Please refer to the Scoring Guidelines in the Beacon handbook.
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