South Texas Medical-Surgical Unit Awarded the AMSN PRISM Award®
The Academy of Medical Surgical Nursing (AMSN) recently awarded the AMSN PRISM Award® to the 5A Medical-Surgical Unit at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS); making this one of only two medical-surgical units within the Department of Veteran Affairs to receive this honor.
The other awarded unit is notably STVHCS’ very own 2W Surgery Unit.
Established in 1991, AMSN is the sole organization dedicated to medical-surgical nursing. The organization instituted the nationwide PRISM Award to recognize outstanding medical-surgical units demonstrating excellence in patient care, leadership, and a healthy work environment. PRISM stands for "Premier Recognition In the Specialty of Med-Surg" and underscores a commitment to exceptional nursing practice.
Marisa Streelman, President of AMSN, commended the 5A nursing team for their achievement in delivering high-quality care, leading to positive patient outcomes, fostering a healing environment, and actively participating in the caring process.
AMSN was impressed by 5A’s incorporation of Evidence-Based Practice and Process Improvement, evident through initiatives like Interpreter Services, IVPB Antibiotics, and Oxygen Utilization among COVID patients, referred to as “Happy Hypoxia.” Excellence in the “Lifelong Learning” category was also noted by AMSN with 5A receiving a perfect score for the category. These initiatives contribute to ongoing nursing excellence. Ms. Streelman emphasized, “The selection of 5A Medical-Surgical for the AMSN PRISM Award® was unanimous, showcasing the team as a model unit for other nursing units.”
The 5A Medical-Surgical Unit has come a long way from being the designated COVID unit and overcoming the fears and emotional weight of treating what was new to them. Fast forward to today, the 5A team is the team of the future with thoughtful consideration of improvement that inspires others to go beyond their best. The fall rates for this unit are well below national averages at 1.66 per 1,000 Bed Days of Care, a nurse turnover rate of 3%, and a whopping 41.37% of the nurses hold a specialty certification in Medical/Surgical nursing.
During a November award ceremony held at STVHCS, a representative from AMSN congratulated the 5A Unit and presented them with a commemorative plaque to display in their unit. STVHCS leadership also praised the 5A nursing team for their accomplishment and expressed heartfelt gratitude for the quality care they provide every day to our nation’s Veterans.
Dr. Valerie Rodriguez-Yu, Associate Director for Patient Care Services, expressed her joy, stating, “It is my absolute honor and privilege to congratulate the 5A Medical-Surgical Team on their recent selection by the Academy of Medical Surgical Nursing to receive the AMSN PRISM Award!”
The South Texas Veterans Health Care System extends congratulations to the 5A Medical-Surgical unit for this distinguished award and expresses gratitude for their continued support towards the mission of caring for our South Texas Veterans!