CSI Project

Nursing is a Work of Heart

Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, Illinois

CSI Summary

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Summary

CSI Presentation

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Presentation

CSI Toolkit

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Toolkit

Added to Collection

Project Topic:

Healthy Work Environment and Staff Retention

Hospital, City and State:

Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, Illinois

Unit:

Adult Surgical Heart Unit (ASHU)

CSI Participants:

  • Alexa, Doyon, BSN, RN
  • Jacqueline Kelly, ADN, RN
  • Brett Szabo, BSN, RN, CCRN
  • Coach: Kara Clarkin, MSN, RN
  • Manager: Beata Ryan, MSN, RN, CCRN

Project Goals/Objectives:

  1. Decrease nursing turnover 40%
  2. HWEAT (Healthy Worth Environment Assessment Tool) completed by 60% of staff
  3. Improve HWEAT survey aggregate score from 3.54 to > 4, along with an increase in score for meaningful recognition and collaboration
  4. Decrease number of call-offs 25%
  5. Increase number of KUDOS 50%
  6. Increase number of DAISY 50%

Project Outcomes:

  1. Decreased nursing turnover rate 64%
  2. Increased HWEAT aggregate score from 3.54 to 3.82
  3. Increased HWEAT meaningful recognition score from 3.36 to 3.72
  4. Increased HWEAT true collaboration score from 3.13 to 3.43
  5. Decreased call-offs 27.3%
  6. Increased KUDOS submissions 878%
  7. Increased DAISY nominations 386%
  8. These outcomes resulted in a positive estimated annual fiscal impact of $868,628

Project Overview:

From November 2023 to May 2024, we had 14 registered nurses quit. Some exit interviews cited workplace culture and environment as reasons for quitting. We decided to focus on this issue.

From October 2024 to May 2025, we saw a decrease in turnover by 64%, a decrease in call-offs by 28%, an increase in Kudos submissions by 878%, and an increase in DAISY nominations by 386%. This project had an annual potential fiscal impact of $868,628.

Permission to Reuse Materials
The materials associated with this AACN Clinical Scene Investigator (CSI) Academy project are the property of the participating hospital noted above, not AACN. Requests to use content contained in the CSI team’s summary, presentation or toolkit should be directed to the hospital. We suggest reaching out to the hospital’s Communications, Marketing or Nursing Education department for assistance.

Disclaimer
The AACN CSI Academy program supports change projects based on quality improvement methods. Although CSI teams seek to ensure linkage between their project and clinical/fiscal outcomes, data cannot be solely attributed to the project and are estimations of impact.