Effect of ‘Lavender Lounge’ on critical care nurses’ stress

Editor's Note

This study by nurse researchers at the Cleveland Clinic examines the usability of a lounge designed to support critical care nurses in refreshing and renewing themselves after stressful clinical situations.

Of 54 nurses surveyed:

• 31 (57%) said they used the lounge within the past month.
• Facilitators of lounge use included having coverage provided by colleagues, visiting during lunch breaks, and having low unit acuity.
• Barriers to lounge use included high unit acuity, high unit census, and high patient care demands with no one available to cover patient assignments.

The researchers conclude that the variables that lead to stress and burnout also prevent nurses from using a room to relieve their stress. A more effective approach may be organizational change that supports a reduced workload via increased staffing, prearranged breaks, and increased recovery time between shifts by limiting work hours to no more than 40 per week.