Scott Kashman, FACHE, Lorissa MacAllister, PhD, AIA, NCARB and Michael J. Markel Jr., RN, FACHE published an article in the Healthcare Executive’s magazine.
As health systems continue to be strained by the demands of staffing issues, considering the effectiveness of the environment that surrounds staff is vital. A curated environment that supports teamwork, reflects the organization’s culture and provides access to support, allows each staff member to be fully present and able to work at their best.
Staff shortages were a problem before the pandemic, and they are only going to be more prevalent as we continue through and beyond the pandemic. While staffing costs and turnover rise, health systems are being pushed to increase overtime, ratios, and shorten orientation and on-boarding time, with an already exhausted team. Much of the healthcare operations has been “breaking the model” of what it was designed to support, 75%-85% occupancy rates versus 110+% sustained for months. The data shows that while our workforce is shrinking and exhausted, the outcomes also suffer from quality and safety, engagement, turnover, patient experience and longer lengths of stay. Missing in many of the approaches is harnessing the environment to support and better align the environment to support staff both physically and psychologically. There is clear research that shows that the environment can be a primary barrier to having staff work at their optimum for sustained work even within a constrained system.
Outlined below are some proven plans that support health while improving staff recruitment, retention, engagement, and overall organizational performance.
- Develop consistent inter-disciplinary team huddles.
- Develop a wellness team tasks force to guide your team’s efforts.
- Design walking paths within your workplace building and extend it to the outside. Even small pathways can incorporate gardens, fountains, flowers, artwork, and exercise stations.
- Provide healthy meal options and discounts for healthy choices.
- Provide 15-minute yoga and stretch breaks.
It’s time to turn additional energy towards re-engaging staff and keeping them well. While many organizations intend to create a workplace environment that promotes health integration, respite and empathy, it takes a focused strategy, clear planning and a systematic approach to accomplish that goal.
References
Bodenheimer, T., & Sinsky, C. (2014). From triple to quadruple aim: care of the patient requires care of the provider. Annals of family medicine, 12(6), 573–576. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1713
Watson, J. (2006). Caring theory as an ethical guide to administrative and clinical practices. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 30(1), 48-55.
Winter V, Schreyögg J, Thiel A (2020) Hospital staff shortages: environmental and organizational determinants and implications for patient satisfaction. Health Policy 124:380–388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2020.01.001
