Practice resource network.

Q: Our unit is interested in applying for the AACN Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence.. Can you give us any pointers to help us submit a successful application?

A: Here are several recommendations to help you achieve success on your Beacon journey:

* Download the audit tool for the application appropriate to the patient population of your unit (Adult Critical Care, Progressive Care or Pediatric Critical Care) at www.aacn.org/AACN/ICURecog.nsf/vwdoc/MainPage. Review the categories, questions and standards to give you an overall sense of the application. You must apply using the application specific to your patient population so that your unit is not evaluated according to inappropriate standards and outcomes. At this time we are only accepting applications for Adult Critical Care and Progressive Care; the Pediatric Critical Care application process is still pending.

* Use the literature listed as a frame of reference for your processes, outcomes and application. This application and the standards are based on the available literature in the six main categories: Recruitment/Retention, Education/Training/Mentoring, Evidence-Based Practice/Research, Patient Outcomes, Healing Environment, and Leadership/Organizational Ethics. The application and supporting materials are available at www.aacn.org/AACN/ICURecog.nsf/vwdoc/toc.

* Think of the process as painting a 360-degree picture of your unit. The expert panel reviewers are blinded to the identity of the unit so you are creating that picture for them. They look for consistency in responses and a sense of unit structure, function and outcomes. Completeness of comments provides the context for understanding your answers.

* Remember that the application is focused on unit-based excellence. Describing activities or recognition that is hospital-based is not sufficient. Excellent units have processes and recognition that exceed the hospital-driven activities.

* Consider the questions as "indicators" under the specific categories. For example, your response to the question about having visual access to the outside environment should include information about aspects of a healing environment present in your unit beyond the existence of windows. How do the unit structure and personnel foster the appropriate healing environment for the patients?

* Think through the full response; for example, if you are discussing changes in process or function, describe the outcomes of the changes you have made. We want to know what benefits have come from making these changes.

* Give context for data, especially if you have trend data. Describe why you think you are seeing these trends and any practice changes that have been instituted based on your analysis of the data.

* Have someone who is not involved in your application process review the completed document before submission. This should be someone who can be thoughtful about evaluating your responses, look for appropriate spelling and grammar, and provide feedback about your application.

* Expect feedback and questions from the expert review panel after you have submitted your application. Very few applications make it through on the first pass. You will have the opportunity to submit additional feedback before a final decision is made.

Comprehensive information about the Beacon Awards is always available online at www.aacn.org/beacon. Remember that this is a journey, not a destination. The successful applicant understands that the goal of seeking excellence must be in the context of patient safety and a healthy work environment. Give yourself credit for your willingness to examine your unit critically.