In response to feedback from staff, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is now provided by EFAP on the shift staff are working, day or night, rather than waiting for the next day or next shift. This enhanced service is part of a larger Healthy Workplace Culture Change project that is being piloted in high-risk VGH units: Emergency (ED), Leukemia Bone Marrow Transplant and Jim Pattison Operating Room (JPOR).

Emotional health matters

The CISD program supports the emotional health and well-being of staff by providing timely debriefings, training and crisis call/follow-up counselling resources to staff who experience critical incidents, such as physical violence, verbal threats or patient deaths/incidents. This unique service is the only one of its kind in BC health care, and includes 24/7 on-site debriefing supports, individually or as a team, with an experienced counsellor prior to shift ending.

“CISD is not a mental health service but rather provides emotional support to those exposed to traumatic events during a shift to prevent the development of mental health concerns,” says Melanie Johannson, EFAP therapist and CISD lead.

Empowering frontline staff

As part of the pilot, EFAP provided check-in training to a mentor group made up of frontline staff and supervisors who are trained to help colleagues identify and respond to critical incidents.

“The creation of the enhanced CISD program has provided staff with the tools they need to recognize and prevent future critical incidents and is crucial in developing a culture of compassion and emotional wellness,” says Susan Harrison-Salt, head nurse educator for the VGH ED.

Get help

At no cost, staff who experience critical incidents can access EFAP services to get confidential debriefing and other counselling supports. Call EFAP at 604-872-4929 or 1-800-505-4929 24/7/365 or email help@efap.ca.

“The effects of stressful incidents on staff can be profound. Witnessing aggression, violence or the death of patients, or caring for patients with devastating illness or injuries is emotionally and physically demanding. No one is immune to this stress. As health care workers we’re not prepared to cope with this constant trauma on our own,” says Susan.

Special thanks to Vancouver leadership and senior executives, EFAP and the Culture and Innovation Team in Employee Engagement for supporting this important employee initiative.

For more information, please contact EFAP at 604-872-4929/email help@efap.ca  or Parm Hari, director, culture & innovation, Employee Engagement, at Parm.Hari@vch.ca.