J U N E 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 9
A
few months ago, my staff
came to me with a rather
odd request. They wanted
to convert an empty room off of
the surgery area into a relaxation
room, a mini-retreat where they
could sink into a massage chair,
listen to music and breathe in
essential oils during their lunch or
break times. Their idea was that 1
staffer at a time would sign up for
a 15-minute private slot on the whiteboard outside the 10x10 room.
We agreed, and let staff design the space, which had once served as
our lithotripsy waiting room. They chose darkening curtains and
blinds for the window, a curtain to cover the elevator door, and a cou-
ple floral prints and a neutral paint color for the walls. They pitched in
for a shelf, an aromatherapy diffuser, a medicine ball, a few free
weights and an exercise mat. The hospital foundation graciously
donated the massage chair, which cost a couple thousand dollars.
At first, I thought it was the craziest thing ever, but as a leader, you
have to understand what makes your staff tick, especially millennials,
who want to work hard but also want to have a say in their workplace
environment. We have but one rule: Use the relaxation room responsi-
bly and always put patients first. So far, so good.
Lisa Noble, MSN, RN
Community Hospital Anderson
Ideas Work
P r a c t i c a l p e a r l s f r o m y o u r c o l l e a g u e s
That
• QUIET OASIS A massage chair is the centerpiece of the
relaxation room that the OR staff at Community Hospital
Anderson (Ind.) requested and helped design. Staff sign up to
use the relaxation room on a dry erase board that hangs on
the wall outside.
Anderson, Ind.
lisa.noble@ecommunity.com
UNWIND + DESTRESS
The Ultimate Staff Relaxation Room
