Johnny V. Yuhas
Arizona State University, USA
Title: Supporting Healthcare Workers through Integrative Wellness Modalities for Improved Patient Outcomes
Biography
Biography: Johnny V. Yuhas
Abstract
This talk will focus on the growing need to embed holistic and integrative modalities into traditional healthcare facilities to help support staff wellness, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes. I will discuss a recent project that was recognized and presented at the Southern California Evidence-based Practice Symposium hosted by Loma Linda University. The purpose of this project was to inspire a change in practice through delivering a supportive, integrative therapy intervention to ICU nurses, during designated break times within a 12-hour shift. The chosen intervention for this project was a 15-minute mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) guided meditation facilitated by an RN who is a certified yoga and meditation teacher. Outcome variables in this project measured perceived stress levels, mental clarity, and empathy. High-stress work environments, such as the intensive care unit (ICU), have now become the focus of a growing body of research, studying interventions that support nurses in this area. The looming nursing shortage, staff burnout and illness, and adverse patient outcomes, has prompted hospital administrators to look for new ways in facilitating global wellness into their health care organizations. As the stressful environment of the ICU and many other healthcare delivery units continue to affect the emotional and physical stability of nursing teams, unit-based integrative therapies are offering a promising solution.