Last year, nurses Annie Hoang, RN, BSN and Lisa Sabo, RN-BC, BSN presented a caregiver crisis intervention plan to their Unit-Based Nursing Council. This led to the implementation of Code Lavender, a rapid response protocol for caregivers experiencing acute stress. The concept, which originated in Hawaii, has since been adopted by the Cleveland Clinic and other hospitals nationwide.
“Health care is about constantly being there for others and embracing a philosophy of caring,” says Hoang, who is certified in the practice of Reiki healing. “That level of caring extends to our fellow team members as well. Making room to nurture a caregiver who is struggling enables us to continue to do what we love to do.”
Code Lavender is focused on crisis intervention rather than burnout prevention. According to Hoang, recognizing and taking care of acute stress in the moment can help prevent it from being held in the body, where it lingers and impacts well-being on a deeper level—especially for health care providers.
Healing Tools
Any team member can call a Code Lavender if they notice a colleague in distress. That staff member is encouraged to take 5 to 15 minutes for self-care, with options such as:
- Seeking solitude to practice self-soothing techniques like mindfulness
- Using the Code Lavender box, which contains items ranging from therapeutic music and audiobooks to aromatherapy and calming teas
- Talking through an experience with a manager, colleague, or chaplain
- Getting fresh air or taking a walk
“A crisis affects everyone differently, and we want our team to understand that it’s normal to experience heightened emotions during stressful situations,” adds Hoang. “We’ve seen many positive outcomes since implementing Code Lavender, including an increased sense of cohesiveness and a higher level of mental health awareness among peers.”
Turning the Focus Inward
If you’re a behavioral health provider who is experiencing any of the following signs of compassion fatigue, take time for focused self-care or share your feelings and concerns with peers or your own therapist.
- Rumination or preoccupation with negative thoughts or experiences
- Sleep disturbances
- Increased anxiety, irritability, sadness, or sensitivity
- A prolonged state of heightened emotions
"As health care professionals, sometimes caring for ourselves is easier said than done, so it takes discipline to turn our lens inward,” says Hoang. “But we can’t take care of others to the best of our ability if we’re not cognizant of our own well-being."