CDC’s new guidelines to address burnout and support staff wellbeing

DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) - Amidst the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare workers, the CDC has rolled out new federal guidelines aimed at addressing burnout and mental health issues among healthcare staff.

These guidelines are part of the CDC’s Impact Wellbeing campaign, designed to help hospitals nationwide develop strategies to support their workforce. Unity Point Health Trinity, has responded to these guidelines by implementing a comprehensive approach to address the mental health and wellbeing of its team members.

“So it’s helping understand the why and how did they get in this place. Again, hopefully, they would have spoken up before they got to a breaking point. And then being flexible and really have that caring mentality to the individual of saying, Okay, if this is where you’re at, here’s the resources and here’s what we’re going to encourage you to do,” said Kirby Vyncke-Hughes, the HR Executive Director at Unity Point Health.

Recognizing the strain caused by staffing shortages, Unity Point Health has implemented various measures to attract and retain healthcare professionals. These measures include promoting open communication and feedback channels, providing mental health resources, offering flexible scheduling and financial incentives to attract and retain staff.

“Our frontline team members do huddle every single day. And that’s so that they’re able to bring their questions or concerns or different opportunities to their leader, and then that gets escalated all the way up to the senior leadership team. And then cascade it back down as well,” said Vyncke-Hughes.

Vyncke-Hughes says they also offer training for both frontline staff and leaders to make sure they have the right coping strategies and support skills.

“What we’re doing is we’re trying to focus on again, that team member and build deeper connections within with their leaders amongst the team, but then also with the patients as well, too. So if we can connect them back to their why that they came into healthcare, and helping them connect deeper with their patients.”

The CDC hosted a webinar with national hospital leaders to introduce them to these guidelines.