ICU Centers of Excellence Program

ICU Centers of Excellence Program

Elevate patient care, enhance outcomes, and gain recognition as a leader in critical care.

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The Society of Critical Care Medicine’s (SCCM) ICU Centers of Excellence Program empowers ICU teams with expert-developed training, tools, and support to improve patient care and drive continuous quality improvement. The application period for the 2026 cohort is now closed.

Key program goals include:

  • Enhancing patient outcomes
  • Reducing costs
  • Fostering patient-centered culture
  • Improving multiprofessional team collaboration
  • Streamlining data tracking 

ICUs can earn gold, silver, or bronze designations to showcase their commitment to excellence in critical care.

ICU Liberation (adult and pediatric) is the first component in the ICU Centers of Excellence program. Further expansion into other quality improvement components is planned. Learn more about ICU Liberation.

Download the ICU Liberation Bundle Data Collection Manual and learn more about key requirements, data pathways, and resources to ensure accurate, standardized data collection.

How to Get Started

Get started in the ICU Centers of Excellence Program with the ICU Liberation Campaign, which aims to liberate patients from the harmful effects of an ICU stay and provides evidence-based strategies in a comprehensive bundle for the entire multiprofessional critical care team.

Not sure if you're ready to apply? Complete the interest form to connect with a member of the SCCM hosted training team who will walk you through the ICU Centers of Excellence Program and guide you on the best path toward application.

1. Complete the interest form.
Applications for the current cycle are now closed; however, completing this step will help position your site for the next ICU Centers of Excellence application period.

2. Connect with an SCCM Sales Team Member
Once you have submitted the interest form, a member of the SCCM training team will reach out to your site to provide a comprehensive overview of the program’s requirements and benefits.

Annual enrollment is limited. The application period for the next cohort will open in early 2027.

ICU Centers of Excellence Interest Form

 

Why ICU Centers of Excellence?

For Hospitals
  • Enhanced patient outcomes through implementing evidence-based guidelines and practices.
  • Reduction of preventable harms by promoting early mobilization, delirium prevention, and ventilator management.
  • Lower readmission rates and better discharge outcomes.
  • Cost savings and return on investment that align with hospitals’ focus on efficiency and cost reduction while maintaining quality.
  • Enhanced patient experiences through emphasis on patient- and family-centered practices. 
For ICU teams
  • Essential training that equips your ICU with knowledge and skills to improve patient care.
  • Team empowerment that fosters a collaborative, multiprofessional culture.
  • Improved patient outcomes from trusted programs that show results
  • Collaboration and learning through connections with other excellence-focused institutions.
  • Continuous improvement through monitoring and data collection
 
2026 Program Costs
Rates
By April 15, 2026
Base Program Access Free: $8,000
Per-ICU Fee: $500
*Annual Maintenance Fee: Total Per-ICU Cost

*This fee is equal to the total Per-ICU cost assessed at admission. Example: If your hospital enrolled 4 ICUs, the "total per ICU fee" would be $2,000 ($500 × 4 ICUs).

Congratulations to the Designated Sites!

Hospital Menonita de Caguas
Neuro ICU
Caguas, Puerto Rico

‌Keck Medicine of USC
Surgical ICU, Abdominal Transplant ICU
Los Angeles, California, USA

Stony Brook Medicine
Surgical ICU, Medical ICU, Cardiovascular ICU
Stony Brook, New York, USA

News

About the ICU Centers of Excellence

What is the ICU Centers of Excellence Program?
The ICU Centers of Excellence Program honors units that exemplify superior critical care through SCCM’s quality improvement initiatives. It empowers teams to enhance outcomes, minimize preventable harm, and achieve lasting, data-driven improvements.
What modules are currently being offered in the ICU Centers of Excellence Program?
The program launched in 2025 with the ICU Liberation Campaign module. In coming years, it will expand to include both existing and new SCCM quality improvement programs, addressing a wider range of critical care priorities.
What is included in the ICU Liberation Campaign module?
The ICU Liberation Campaign module includes implementation of the ICU Liberation Bundle (A-F), a six-part, evidence-based framework designed to reduce the harmful effects of an ICU stay. It addresses pain management, ventilator use, spontaneous breathing trials, sedation practices, delirium prevention and management, early mobility, and family engagement. Together, these strategies help minimize pain, oversedation, delirium, immobility, and isolation, ultimately improving patient outcomes and recovery. Hospitals that have implemented the ICU Liberation Campaign also report cost savings. Learn more about the ICU Liberation Campaign.
Who can apply for the program?
Any ICU team dedicated to improving patient outcomes and implementing evidence-based practices is encouraged to apply. Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential because successful quality improvement requires a multidisciplinary approach. Hospitals of all sizes and types are eligible.
What are the designation levels for the ICU Liberation Module?
ICUs can earn Gold, Silver, or Bronze status based on compliance data. For ICUs implementing the ICU Liberation Bundle, designations are awarded as follows:
  • Gold: 80% compliance for 3 consecutive quarters with all 6 elements
  • Silver: 80% compliance for 3 consecutive quarters with 4 elements
  • Bronze: 80% compliance for 3 consecutive quarters with 2 elements
What kind of data are required?
Sites must collect and submit patient data quarterly, either manually or via electronic health record (EHR) integration. Data are tracked for each patient over specific ICU days to measure compliance with the ICU Liberation Bundle.
Is EHR integration required?
No, but it is recommended. SCCM partners with Epic and Oracle Health (Cerner) to support integration. Manual data collection is also an option if discrete data fields are available to reflect compliance.
What support does SCCM provide?
Participants receive access to online, self-paced education, simulation-based training, interactive dashboards for progress tracking, and guidance from SCCM experts through shared learning opportunities.

Applying and Participating

How does a site get started?
Complete the interest form to connect with SCCM’s Hosted Training team. They will review the program with you and help assess your unit’s readiness to apply.
When is the next application period?
Applications for the 2026 cohort will open in early 2026.  Additional details and announcements will be shared as the application date approaches.
What are the benefits of participating?
Benefits include recognition as a leader in critical care, improved patient outcomes, access to SCCM resources, and benchmarking opportunities with other high-performing ICUs.
What is the price to participate and what is included?
Pricing varies based on the number of ICUs enrolled and program scope. Contact the SCCM team through the interest form for detailed pricing and inclusions.
What is the timeline from application to designation?
The timeline depends on each site’s progress through program milestones and requirements.
How can a site best prepare for the application?
Review the program framework, confirm data collection processes, and engage hospital leadership and multidisciplinary teams early to ensure strong buy-in. A letter of commitment from the site’s CEO or CMO will be required during the application process.
Can multiple ICUs within one health system apply under a single application?
No. Each hospital must submit its own application. Participation and designation are based on individual ICU compliance rather than the health system’s compliance.
What types of institutions are currently participating in the program?
Participating ICUs represent a variety of hospital types and regions. SCCM will share examples and outcomes as the program expands.

For Program Participants

What types of data are required, and how does the unit transfer these data?
Sites submit patient-level ICU data quarterly, either manually or through EHR integration via a HIPAA-compliant portal. SCCM provides secure dashboards and technical support. Detailed data submission requirements are outlined in the Data Collection Manual, available here.
If a site encounters challenges implementing the ICU Liberation Bundle, who can help?
SCCM’s ICU Liberation and training teams offer implementation support, coaching, and peer learning opportunities to help overcome challenges.
How do learners access online course materials?
The site champion enrolls learners through SCCM’s online platform. Once enrolled, learners receive an email with login instructions.
How does a learner know who their champion is?
Your site’s champion is designated internally during the application process. Check with your ICU leadership or education coordinator.
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