IH Peaks launches #CultureofCare campaign
You deserve kindness, respect and a safe environment to provide compassionate care to our patients. That’s the premise of #CultureofCare, a new workplace violence-prevention initiative and campaign recently launched in the Peaks Region.
During the last few years, a growing number of patients, their families and loved ones have entered our hospitals and clinics feeling angry, exhausted, frustrated and teetering toward their breaking point. Too many times, our caregivers bear the brunt of their inappropriate behaviors when they lash out on the very people trying to care for them. In 2022, the Peaks Region experienced a 32-percent increase in reports of disruptive behavior, threats and assaults.
This type of behavior is not supposed to be a part of your job. Acute and ambulatory leaders in the Peaks Region have read the workplace violence reports and listened to the voices of caregivers. Intermountain Health’s #CultureofCare represents their commitment to protecting you by establishing a zero-tolerance policy for verbal and physical attacks.
Building a #CultureofCare
The Peaks Region will work to educate patients, visitors and the broader public about the behaviors and standards they are expected to adhere to when they visit our facilities and interact with our caregivers through posters, flyers, banners and digital signage in our facilities, in addition to a robust social media campaign.
The #CultureofCare campaign will communicate our firm belief that patients deserve a safe place to seek care, and our caregivers deserve a safe place to work. We are asking patients and visitors to bring their best to our care sites.
New caregiver resources to improve workplace safety
Recognizing that our caregivers need additional tools and specialized training, the Peaks Region is developing a new program to provide in-house training that a department can request. The Peaks Region secured a safety grant to pay for four to six providers from each care site to attend Avade® training, the leader in workplace violence prevention for healthcare systems and other industries. These caregivers will become certified instructors and be able to provide teaching on up to 20 modules. Teams will be able to request an hour-long module of specialized training at a staff meeting or a micro-lesson at a unit huddle based on their unique needs.
We will also continue to roll out the BEST Alert process throughout Peaks Region. The BEST Alert is a proactive, multidisciplinary response to mitigate risks and concerns that could bring harm to our caregivers. Potentially aggressive patients or visitors prompt this coordinated response. This practice not only makes our bedside caregivers feel more supported, but we also believe the benefits of this proactive approach contribute positively to our caregiver experience.
Tracking incidents of workplace violence
We are asking caregivers to report any instance of workplace violence or aggression in the Pearl system. It only takes five to 10 minutes to submit a report. These reports are essential to the Peaks Region. It’s crucial that we know what is happening at our care sites so that we can direct our resources appropriately. Every report in Pearl will be reviewed, screened and evaluated.
How you can help create a #CultureofCare
Building this #CultureofCare will require the commitment of every Peaks Region caregiver in every care site, clinic, office or setting where we provide care. Beginning next month, caregivers will receive personal security tips and a monthly unit huddle sheet and activity. The huddle activity will be designed to take only a few minutes and demonstrate a particular skill or message. Please take the time to participate in this campaign and take a few short minutes every month to learn ways to create and maintain a safe environment. Our hope is that #CultureofCare becomes entrenched in our daily operations.
Our promise to you
Caregivers can expect a region-wide #CultureofCare firmly supported by their direct supervisors, care site leaders and leaders in the Peaks Region and Intermountain Health. We will consistently emphasize the importance of physical, psychological and spiritual well-being and promote a #CultureofCare that heightens safety.
While we might never reduce challenges of this kind in our hospitals to zero, we can promote a standard of zero tolerance for abusive behavior.
Caregivers are the heart of Intermountain Health. As a healthcare organization, we recognize that our caregivers are invaluable. We are asking you to recognize this as well and prioritize your safety. Our mission and care depend on you.