This article highlights the insights and perspectives I found most interesting from the WIH Philadelphia: Use Healthcare Staff Safety to Recruit, Retain & Eliminate Burnout! event. While it doesn’t cover every topic discussed, it reflects my interpretation of the four (4) impactful themes shared by the panelists. The session featured expert panelists who passionately addressed the intersection of safety, recruitment, burnout prevention, and facility design in modern healthcare settings.

Panelists Included:

Alyson Cole – Penn Medicine
Jeff Henne – Penn Medicine
Autumn Shingler-Nace – Cooper Health
Julie Ellis – Inspira Health

1) Safety in various forms

a. Changing Priorities in Healthcare Recruitment

One of the panelists shared a striking observation about how recruitment conversations with nurses have evolved over the years. Previously, interview questions focused on salary, benefits, and PTO. Today, safety has taken center stage, with nurses asking about:

• Tools and training for handling workplace violence or assault.

• Security protocols for parking and hospital premises.

• Systems to manage emotional stress from daily challenges.

This evolution reflects the growing importance of both physical and psychological safety in today’s healthcare environment.

b. Safety in Urban vs. Suburban Healthcare Settings

Panelists delved into how geographic context influences safety. Urban facilities often face logistical challenges related to parking and access, whereas suburban settings may require robust security measures and strategies. Balancing these needs ensures that staff across diverse locations feel secure.

c. Retrofitting and Designing for Safety

The panel discussed the unique challenges of retrofitting older hospitals to meet modern safety standards. Many older facilities were designed without consideration for today’s realities, such as active shooter scenarios. Narrow corridors and limited spaces pose retrofitting challenges, while newer buildings with expansive lobbies and glass walls require innovative safety planning.

For example, panelists raised critical questions about responding to emergencies in high-visibility spaces such as expansive lobbies. “Where would you go if a gunman entered the lobby? Where could staff or patients hide without being seen or heard?” Addressing these scenarios requires thoughtful design strategies that interweave safety with daily functionality.

d. Infection Control and Facility Design

Another safety aspect explored was infection control. Modern hospitals emphasize prioritizing carefully designed donning and doffing areas to prevent cross-contamination, underscoring the critical role of architecture in ensuring staff and patient safety.

2) Shifting Workplace Culture

Generational shifts have redefined workplace culture in healthcare. While previous generations were encouraged to separate personal problems from work, today’s workforce seeks spaces where they can process emotions. Facilities offering meditation rooms, quiet zones, and support programs like neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) are becoming vital. These measures prevent compassion fatigue and allow staff to recover from traumatic events.

3) Leadership and Psychological Safety

Panelists emphasized the importance of leadership in building trust and fostering psychological safety. Leaders demonstrating vulnerability were cited as instrumental in cultivating trust, which is essential for fostering psychological safety. Moreover, as senior leaders retire, organizations must document their expertise to ensure a seamless transfer of knowledge to the next generation.

4) Hope for Technology’s Role in Safety

The panel also expressed hope in how advancements in technology and artificial intelligence (AI) could enhance safety measures. They conveyed optimism about AI’s potential to predict risks, improve safety protocols, and streamline operations.

Conclusion

The WIH Philadelphia event highlighted the critical interplay between safety, design, and workplace culture in addressing today’s healthcare challenges. Ultimately, the panelists underscored that workplace stress is inevitable, but thoughtful design and safety measures can alleviate unnecessary burdens. By addressing these concerns, healthcare organizations can foster environments where staff feel valued, protected, and better equipped to provide exceptional care.