Small Strategies that Make a Big Impact on Healthcare Professionals' Well-Being and Retention

Making thoughtful changes to create healthier work environments for hospital and healthcare professionals can help organizations address many of the challenges facing care today. Investing in positive work experience not only strengthens your people — it can foster better patient care. We cover the current drivers impacting well-being and retention with actionable ideas that can help renew and revitalize caregivers in the short and long term. Short-term fixes and understanding your current environment is a good starting point, but to make the largest impact on caregiver well-being and retention, plan for long-term initiatives:

Update Technology for New Workflows

A McKinsey study found that telehealth usage is currently 38 times higher than it was pre-pandemic. Experts believe telehealth usage will continue, solidifying this shift in how we provide and receive care. Organizations now can replace any temporary telehealth set-ups with long-term, professional-grade solutions that support flexible workflows and improved communication between patients and providers. Choose either a combination of mobile workstations with cameras that can move from room to room, or wall-mounted workstations that offer space saving and privacy. Investing in videoconferencing technology and equipment that can be mobile and ergonomic for the end users, provides the flexibility of using telecommunication solutions between patients, families and professional medical practitioners supporting positive caregiver and patient experience.

Invest in Ergonomic Solutions

Caring for hospital and healthcare professionals in the long-term goes beyond technology updates. It’s about recognizing the importance of ergonomics, neutral postures and the balance between movement and rest. In a recent survey, 95% of respondents said that better ergonomic equipment could improve their well-being at work. In today’s digital care environments, caregivers spend hours each shift completing documentation. It’s critical that this time spent on a computer is health-promoting and does not add mental and physical stress. The right ergonomic solutions are height-adjustable with easy monitor movement that provides a personalized charting experience. The option to sit or stand allows caregivers to choose the right position for them — whether it’s standing to quickly add vital numbers or sitting to complete a more comprehensive task. Checking payback calculator for ergonomic workspace investment: www.ergotron.com/en-au/tools/payback-calculator.

Limit Overtime Requirements

To help mitigate the risk of burnout for hospital and healthcare professionals, carefully consider any overtime requirements in place — both voluntary and mandatory. Overtime is often an unfortunate reality of the continued staffing crisis, but it can have a negative impact on caregiver health, retention and performance. Longer shifts and fewer days off force nurses to sacrifice the time they need to rest physically and recharge mentally. Without this much-needed time, nurses may be more likely to burn out or contribute to small or large errors. Overtime can be a major income source for nurses, so establishing caps on weekly hours can help support balance and overall well-being.

Create Resimercial Spaces

There’s no better time to recommit to well-being of healthcare professionals than during a redesign or new build. The residential-commercial trend (“resimercial”) is already ushering in more home-like, warm designs in healthcare spaces to promote healing environments for patients. This can, in turn, benefit the caregivers who work in these areas daily. Private rooms, careful sound-proofing and natural light can lessen distractions and uplift the spirits of nurses, providers and other staff. Incorporating medical vendors into the design process to ensure their products will be a good fit in the space or thoughtfully considering the placement of supply closets and other resources can also go a long way in improving the daily workflows of staff.

Build Environments for Staff to Feel Their Best

There are many opportunities to make small changes that can have a meaningful impact on caregiver well-being and retention. By creating environments where caregivers feel physically and mentally at their best, they’ll be able to better care for themselves and their patients. Listen to a full discussion about strategies for improving caregiver well-being here. Learn more: https://www.ergotron.com/en-au/markets/healthcare

Robin Burgess
Email: robin.burgess@ergotron.com
Mobile: +61 421 080 303

Image credit: iStock.com/LaylaBird