NYC Health + Hospitals recently completed the outfitting of three new wellness rooms in its long-term care facilities, where staff can recharge and relax during their workday.
Designed by WXY Studios, the rooms are part of a larger project of 20 wellness rooms throughout the health system’s facilities to help staff step away from their daily stress to decompress. The lounges include soothing lighting elements, artificial plants, aesthetic enhancements such as wall graphics and decals, and works from the health system’s art collection.
“Self-care resources, like our wellness rooms, create work environments where our employees can thrive and maintain a healthier balance amidst life’s challenges,” said Khoi Luong, DO, NYC Health + Hospitals senior vice president for post-acute care. “Our holistic approach to employee wellness benefits the mind, body, and soul; promoting a healthier workforce and improving the overall care experience for our residents.”
The health system used $1 million in grants from six philanthropic donors. More than one-fourth ($260,000) was used for the five post-acute and long-term care rooms. Donors included the Jeffrey H. and Shari L. Aronson Family Foundation, the Ira W. DeCamp Foundation, and The George Link, Jr. Foundation.
In 2022, nearly half of all US healthcare workers reported feeling burned out, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The long-term care sector’s national staffing shortage has added to the stress nursing staff and others in the industry have experienced.
NYC Health + Hospitals’ wellness rooms are the latest initiative from the system to invest in its workforce through its Helping Healers Heal (H3) program. It was was launched in 2018 to help employees identify and monitor distress, build resilience, and find comfort through recovery and coping support services. The H3 teams, which include licensed mental health practitioners and behavioral experts, also focus on staff fatigue and burnout, the organization said.
The organizations’ staffing coverage and retention is among the factors leading it to acheive five-star outcomes at its facilties.
“I’m proud to have been part of this project, which not only enhances the atmosphere of our facilities but also prioritizes the emotional and mental health of our team,” said Ezra Bryan, NYC Health + Hospitals director of Capital Budget for Post-Acute Care. “I welcome more of these spaces and opportunities throughout our facilities, as they are vital to ensuring our staff’s well-being. In the end, by caring for ourselves, we are better able to care for others.”
