title: Interventions that improved a practice environment: "making a difference".
abstract: This paper reports on the intervention phase of a participatory action study designed to improve the practice environment within a critical care unit in a research teaching hospital. The intervention strategy involved the hiring of a facilitator who worked with unit staff to engage in a process of addressing their priority issues related to the practice environment. Examples of interventions included staff retreats, communication workshops, task groups and leadership training. Challenges and key learnings are reported.
authors.affiliation: Staffing Innovation and Organizational Development at Vancouver Coastal Health, Canada.
authors.forename: Rena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van der Wal
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Globerman
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003422:Critical Care / Q000592:standards*; D006126:Group Processes; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000592:standards; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007325:Institutional Practice / Q000592:standards*; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000592:standards*; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007857:Leadership; D008332:Management Quality Circles; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods*