Utilization of a Hospital Respite Room to Reduce Healthcare Worker Burnout

Abstract

Problem Statement. An estimated 40-60% of all healthcare workers have experienced compassion fatigue and burnout within their careers often leading to increased employee turnover rates. In Hawaii, approximately 5,000 nurses left the profession between 2019 and mid-year 2021, notably related to fatigue and burnout.Purpose. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to provide resources aimed at reducing work-related stress, compassion fatigue and burnout for healthcare workers at a major medical center by increasing the usage of a respite room designed for self-care mindfulness practices and healing. Methods. The intervention involved modifying the room (adding massage chairs, calming music), restricting access to only staff members, and promoting the room as a place of respite and healing. The number of people using the room was tracked over two four-week periods before and after the intervention. Results. The results demonstrated increased utilization and request for the respite room. Pre-data results note eight healthcare workers (n=8) were using the room. After the rebranding and implementing the new additions to the room, post-data results note an increase of 447 healthcare workers (n=447) engaging the room over the four-week period. Discussion. Project results suggest health care workers will actively utilize a dedicated respite room as a place to reduce work-related stress. Providing a dedicated space for health care workers to perform mindfulness practices may contribute to reducing work-related stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout.