Since the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) first published the AACN Standards for Establishing and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments[1] in 2005, the mounting importance of healthy work environments in healthcare organizations across the country has been heavily emphasized. In the Second Edition of the standards released in 2016, AACN recognized the inherent links between healthy work environments, clinical excellence, and optimal patient outcomes[2]. It is these tenants that Davin Healthcare as an organization has been committed to, which has steered many of the operational practices and service offerings the Nurse-Owned and Operated organization has implemented.

The AACN has six standards that are essential to creating a healthy work environment, namely:

1. Skilled Communication
2. Authentic Leadership
3. Meaningful Recognition
4. Appropriate Staffing
5. True Collaboration
6. Effective Decision Making

Although these standards were originally established for the work environments of nurses, the application of these standards can be widely adopted, and Davin Healthcare as an organization has done so with the implementation of these practices for both clinical and non-clinical staff members. From the adoption of a Transformational Leadership style to the development and implementation of its policies, Davin makes healthy work environments a priority for all staff members, knowing full well how this in turn can influence the healthcare organizations it partners with. Davin Healthcare’s goal is to deliver high-quality services that focus on clinical excellence and support optimal patient outcomes while creating healthy work environments for all its staff members to further support that endeavor.

Davin’s leadership team knows that the need for Chief Nurse Executives (CNEs) to exert influence with achieving Quadruple Aim for healthcare professionals and especially nurses could not be timelier. COVID-19 continues to disrupt and have lasting negative health consequences for caregivers working at the bedside, along with Healthcare Organizations (HCOs) across the United States. When others ran from the disease, courageous physicians, nurses, and caregivers of all disciplines sprinted towards it. The countless selfless acts of our healthcare workforce have subsequently caused a detrimental after-effect of our own health and well-being. This relentless and long fight has consequences as it places tremendous strain on our healthcare workers and systems. The downfall of the battle is that burnout, stress, trauma, disabilities are all at all-time high. A 2022 study conducted by Mental Health America reported that 93% of caregivers feel stressed, 86% are anxious, and 76% noted feelings of complete exhaustion and burnout[3]. The opportunities for CNEs to make meaningful contributions within HCOs to improve the health and well-being of our healthcare workforce will have monumental impacts.

In addition, the global pandemic provides a valuable teaching moment on ways for improved funding, resources, services, and strategies designed to assist and support the health and well-being of our nation’s healthcare workforce. As scientific evidence directs self-care initiatives that guide the basis of health and well-being, the nurse leader has an obligation. This is because the practitioner of care must explore not only “what can be done” from a technical approach; but more importantly, be united on taking relevant action[4]

Being a Nurse-Owned and Operated organization offers a unique lens to the way Davin operates its business. Clinicians can more fully understand the unique challenges that healthcare providers face at the bedside, and therefore design and deliver services more tailored to the problems at hand. It is the commitment to the AACN mode of thinking that is a driving force behind the services Davin provides and helps solidify the Davin Difference amongst other Managed Service Providers (MSPs) offering solutions to healthcare institutions.

Citations

[1]AACN Standards for Establishing and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments: A Journey to Excellence. Am J Crit Care 1 May 2005; 14 (3): 187–197. doi: https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2005.14.3.187

[2]American Association of Critical Care Nurses. (2016). AACN Standards for Establishing and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments (2nd ed., pp. 9-34). Aliso Viejo, CA: American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

[3]Pollack, R. J. (2022, September). Caring for Those Who Care for US: Three Steps to Address the Workforce Crisis. Journal of Healthcare Management, 67(5), 311-316.

[4]Hartweg, D., & Metcalfe, S. A. (2021, November 21). Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory:  Relevance and Need for Refinement. Nursing Science Quarterly, 35, 70-76. DOI:/10.1177/08943184211051369