Real Reform Lies in Reversing the Culture of Incivility in Healthcare

July 9, 2012 - PRLog -- A shameful culture of incivility has infected the healthcare workplace. It's leaving healthcare workers feeling exhausted, hopeless and dissatisfied. Incivility in healthcare (which includes backstabbing, bullying and belittling) chases good people away from the field at a time when we need them the most. But, that's not even the worst part. Incivility in the healthcare workplace also leads to dangerous and sometimes deadly medical errors, poor patient satisfaction, higher employee turnover and higher healthcare costs for consumers.

The problem of incivility is so serious that The Joint Commission recently issued new regulations on reporting, disciplining and preventing such situations in healthcare environments.

The new book, "The Real Healthcare Reform " answers the Joint Commission’s call for civility training in healthcare. This book is the first part of a comprehensive, new civility training program currently being developed by two experienced and knowledgeable North Carolina nurses.

“Most healthcare workers will admit to either having witnessed or been the victim of incivility while at work,” says Linda Leekley, BS RN. “Unfortunately, a majority of those workers do nothing to report or resolve the matter. Why? Because that’s just the way things have always been.”

Civility training in healthcare has the potential to improve patient care, strengthen team relationships and create an atmosphere that energizes and inspires those who are in it. Arming healthcare workers with the right tactics and strategies can reverse the culture of incivility and eliminate the toxic atmosphere that pollutes the workplace.

“Healthcare professionals who embrace civility are less likely to quit or "job hop," and are less apt to burn out, bully or "eat their young," says Stacey Turnure, RN.

The book’s authors believe that real healthcare reform goes beyond politics. Real healthcare reform lies in reversing the culture of incivility that is making everyone sick.

"The Real Healthcare Reform: How Embracing Civility Can Beat Back Burnout and Revive Your Healthcare Career" is currently available for purchase from EmbracingCivility.com  and Amazon.com . The accompanying instructor manual will be released July 2012.

To read excerpts from the book and the Instructor’s Manual, visit http://www.embracingcivility.com  and click on “books.”