Kaiser Permanente, Northern California

Caritas in ActionHow Caring Science informs and inspires KP caregivers and affirms our commitment to provide our

patients and their families exceptional care

Caritas Consortium 2013

Compassion Fatigue

Intent to Contribute Statement: I am a manager of an oncology unit. My staff and I notice that the loss of patient to cancer,

particularly if the patient is young, takes a piece of your heart. The staff is sad for days. We worked

with our Employee Assistance Program to develop a compassion fatigue program to assist with

feelings, the importance of self care and the importance of being supportive with each other. We

were surprised that when we offered the presentation to the oncology unit, that other

departments also wanted to come join us in the activity. The presentation, opened to all units,

includes discussion of feeling of caring for patients along with other priorities of family, finances

and work demands. The permission to allow for self care and reflection is addressed. The

presentation takes place in a conference room with softened lighting, comfort foods and

appropriate music to allow relaxation, appreciation and an opportunity to nourish the soul. We

believe that a hospital staff who have been appreciated and cared for will extend exceptional care

to patients and their family.

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Compassion Fatigue

Keyword TAGs: Identifier

Consortium2013-July, Santa Clara, Poster, Patient Care Services, Oncology

Education & Staff Dev, Self

Descriptor Compassion Fatigue, Self-Care

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1 Names as listed in Lotus Notes, otherwise personal e-mails indicated

Inspired Contributor(s) 1 : Julie Vaday

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Service Area: Santa Clara

Medical Center: SCL

Affiliation: PCS

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Year Shared: 2013

Venue: Caritas Consortium

Format: Poster

ID #: n/a

Compassion Fatigue

Compassion Fatigue