A Multimodal Approach to Transform Culture by Implementing AACN's Healthy Work Environment Standards.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• Organizational culture and work environment are critical for nurse retention and patient outcomes.
• The COVID-19 pandemic intensified challenges within the healthcare sector, impacting nursing staff and organizations.
• Los Angeles General Medical Center faced a record 20.62% nursing staff turnover post-pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address high nursing staff turnover by improving the organizational culture.
• To enhance nurse retention and other nurse-sensitive indicators through a quality improvement project.
• To implement the 6 healthy work environment standards established by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).

Main Methods:

• Initiated a quality improvement project focused on the 6 AACN healthy work environment standards.
• Implemented professional shared governance, a new graduate transition program, and a communication mobile application.
• Introduced a grant-funded project for burnout reduction, the AACN Clinical Scene Investigator Academy, leadership development, and a new staffing system.

Main Results:

• Achieved improved patient outcomes and a significant reduction in nurse turnover.
• Observed an increased rate of nurse certification and a higher proportion of nurses with BSN degrees or higher.
• Reported decreased overall healthcare costs following the program implementation.

Conclusions:

• A quality improvement program centered on the 6 AACN healthy work environment standards effectively enhances the nursing work environment.
• The initiative demonstrated success in improving nurse retention, patient care, and operational efficiency.
• Focusing on elements like communication, collaboration, staffing, leadership, recognition, and shared decision-making is key to a healthy work environment.