NICU newborns are at higher risk for neurodevelopmental delays. In alignment with our mission to support our communities and promote a safe environment, NICU clinical nurses have determined the need to participate in a yearly Read-a-thon program initiative to promote healthy brain development through reading.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the demand for cardiovascular services has surged, creating a backlog of patients awaiting surgeries in our Cardiovascular Operating Room (CVOR). This increase underscores the crucial need for timely access to medical care for this patient population.

Annually, our Coordinating Council evaluates our professional governance model and identifies opportunities for improvement. A task force of dedicated clinical nurses and nurse leaders conducted an in-depth assessment, including interviews and evaluations of the Voice of Nursing facility and unit councils.

Hospitals can be noisy, disrupting patients' sleep and affecting their recovery period. Studies have shown that noise in hospitals can lead to sleep loss, which is a particular problem in the adult oncology population at KP Santa Clara. Were noisy alarms often disturbed patients receiving intravenous IV medications.

The award from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses highlights the unit's exceptional performance in quality, work environment, and nursing workforce, surpassing national benchmarks.