Creating a Healthy Work Environment: Caring is Critical to Us

Turnover in the CICU was a problem for our hospital prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which placed staff at risk for dissatisfaction and burnout. Burnout has been associated with lower patient satisfaction, reduced patient outcomes and higher healthcare costs. Based on the AACN Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool results for the CICU, our CSI team focused on improving team communication and recognition. We instituted the slogan “Caring Is Critical to Us” throughout the unit to remind staff that not only do we care for patients, we must also care for each other. Our belief was that a focus on communication and recognition would reduce overall turnover in the unit. The CSI team also implemented staff engagement boards to encourage team members to recognize each other.