SHOREVIEW, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Life Link III, the premier critical care air medical transport program serving Minnesota, Wisconsin and the midwest, has achieved an unprecedented milestone in the field of critical care air medical transport. The program has been awarded the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Beacon Award for Excellence Gold, marking a historic first as the only critical care air medical transport program in the nation to receive this prestigious honor at any level.
The AACN Beacon Award for Excellence is a significant recognition program in healthcare that honors exceptional patient care environments. Established in 2003, the Beacon Award is typically awarded to hospital-based units, making Life Link III's achievement particularly groundbreaking. The program recognizes units at three levels - Bronze, Silver, and Gold - with Gold representing the highest level of sustained excellence in unit performance and patient outcomes.
The Beacon Award evaluates units across three crucial areas: Patient Outcomes, Work Environment, and Nursing Workforce. It assesses various factors including leadership structures, staffing, communication, knowledge management, evidence-based practices, and patient outcomes. This comprehensive evaluation makes the Gold-level achievement a testament to excellence across all aspects of critical care delivery.
"This unprecedented achievement is a testament to the exceptional quality of care and unwavering commitment to excellence demonstrated by every member of the Life Link III team," said Kolby Kolbet, Chief Clinical Officer at Life Link III. "As the first and only critical care air medical transport program to receive this level of recognition, we've set a new standard in our industry. From our flight nurses and paramedics to our pilots, mechanics, communication specialists, operational control specialist, and administrative staff, each person has played a crucial role in reaching this historic milestone."
The Gold-level recognition signifies that Life Link III has demonstrated excellence across all evaluated areas, including:
- Implementation of evidence-based practices to enhance patient outcomes
- Efficient and effective operations
- A positive and supportive work environment that engages all staff and key stakeholders
- Superior performance in patient care and safety metrics
This achievement places Life Link III at the forefront in innovation among critical care transport providers. While several hospital-based units have achieved Beacon status, Life Link III stands alone as the only critical care transport program to be recognized, further emphasizing the exceptional nature of this accomplishment.
For patients, this award translates to receiving the highest quality of care during the most critical moments of their medical journey. For healthcare partners, it reinforces confidence in Life Link III's ability to provide seamless, top-tier critical care transport.
The AACN Beacon Award for Excellence Gold status is not just a recognition of current excellence but also a challenge for Life Link III to continue pushing boundaries and improving every aspect of its service.
About Life Link III
Life Link III operates eleven helicopter bases that cover Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the midwest. The company's helicopter and airplane services provide on-scene emergency response and inter-facility transport for patients requiring critical care. Life Link III's transportation services are accredited by CAMTS (Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems), ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety are met. Life Link III is a non-profit consortium made up of the following member-owner organizations: Allina Health, Aspirus St. Luke’s, CentraCare Health, Children's Minnesota, Essentia Health, Fairview Health Services, Regions Hospital/HealthPartners®, Hennepin Healthcare, Marshfield Clinic Health System, and HSHS Hospital Sisters Health System.
For more information about Life Link III, visit www.lifelinkiii.com.
