Creating an Action… 1

Creating an Action Plan: The Voyage to Quality Outcomes

LaShelle Melton

Jacksonville State University

NU715 Innovative Leadership & Collaboration in Healthcare

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“Creating an Action Plan: The Voyage to Quality Outcomes”

1. Healthcare workers, particularly correctional health workers, are prone to high-stress

levels. Correctional health workers are responsible for providing medical care to
prisoners, working in an often hostile and stressful environment (Ballin et al., 2021). This
environment can have a negative impact on their mental and physical well-being, which,
in turn, can affect their job performance and the quality of care they provide to patients. It
is essential to recognize the importance of stress reduction in correctional health workers.

2. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is a tool that measures the degree to which individuals'
lives are perceived as stressful. The PSS can help identify areas of concern and provide a
foundation for a stress-reduction action plan. The evidence-based action plan will provide
correctional health workers with training for stress management and coping skills. This
will include mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy,
and relaxation training. These interventions effectively reduce stress levels and improve
coping skills in healthcare workers (Bischoff et al., 2019; Babanataj et al., 2019;
Baumann et al., 2023).

3. Changes that can be made to the system/process to improve outcomes include providing
access to mental health services, implementing flexible work schedules, and strong social
support. Strong social support has been associated with decreased stress levels and
increased resilience among healthcare workers (Karadaş & Duran, 2021)

4. One change that can be implemented to improve outcomes is to conduct a stress

management assessment on correctional health workers during the hiring process and at
regular intervals during their employment. The assessment should use the PSS or other
validated tools to identify sources of stress and appropriate resources should be provided
based on their specific needs (Johnston et al., 2022).
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References

Babanataj, R., Mazdarani, S., Hesamzadeh, A., Gorji, M. H., & Cherati, J. Y. (2019). Resilience

training: Effects on occupational stress and resilience of critical care nurses. International

Journal of Nursing Practice, 25(1), e12697. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.12697

Ballin, J., Niederhausen, M., Kuehl, K. S., Elliot, D. L., McGinnis, W., & Francesco, C. D.

(2021). Defining Stress among Corrections Professionals. Open Journal of Preventive

Medicine, 11(06), 237–250. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojpm.2021.116019

Bischoff, L. L., Otto, A.-K., Hold, C., & Wollesen, B. (2019). The effect of physical activity

interventions on occupational stress for health personnel: A systematic review.

International Journal of Nursing Studies, 97, 94–104.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019.06.002

Baumann, H., Heuel, L., Bischoff, L. L., & Wollesen, B. (2023). mHealth interventions to reduce

stress in healthcare workers (factor): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Trials, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-023-07182-7

Johnston, M. S., Ricciardelli, R., & McKendy, L. (2022). Improving the Mental Health of

Correctional Workers: Perspectives from the Field. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 49(7),

009385482210814. https://doi.org/10.1177/00938548221081468

Izdebski, Z., Kozakiewicz, A., Białorudzki, M., Dec-Pietrowska, J., & Mazur, J. (2023).

Occupational Burnout in Healthcare Workers, Stress and Other Symptoms of Work

Overload during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland. International Journal of

Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 2428.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032428
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Karadaş, A., & Duran, S. (2021). The effect of social support on work stress in health workers

during the pandemic: The mediation role of resilience. Journal of Community

Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22742
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Appendix A: Policy (A Sample Policy is included below for your review)

Page: 1 of Policy
Policy and
#
Procedure
Effective Date: Revision Date
Manual

Subject: Stress management assessment during the Function:

hiring process and at regular intervals during their Provision of
employment Care
KEYWORDS: handoff, report, patient transfer

I. POLICY
A. OBJECTIVE
To provide guidelines for implementing a stress management assessment for
correctional health workers during the hiring process and at regular intervals
during their employment. The assessment aims to identify sources of stress and
provide appropriate resources to support the well-being of correctional health
workers.

B. INDICATION FOR USE

1. This policy will be used when hiring correctional health workers regularly
during their employment.
2. The assessment will be used alone or in conjunction with the other
facility resources.
C. IMPLEMENTATION
The Stress Management Assessment for Correctional Health Workers
policy will be implemented with the following steps:
1. Policy dissemination to all relevant personnel.
2. Training of personnel responsible for administering the stress management
assessments.
3. Integration of stress management assessments into the hiring process and
regular employment intervals.
4. Provision of appropriate resources based on the assessment results.
5. Regular review and evaluation of the policy's effectiveness.

D. DEFINITIONS

Correctional Health Workers
Stress Management
Assessment
Correctional health workers refer to healthcare professionals who
provide medical care and services to individuals within correctional
facilities, including prisons, jails, and detention centers.
A stress risk assessment is a tool to help identify and control threats
that stressors present to employees.

II. RESPONSIBILITY
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Human Resources Coordinate the implementation of the stress management assessment

Department policy during the hiring process.

Stress Management Committee

a) Oversee the implementation and evaluation of the stress management
assessment policy.
b. Develop and review stress management protocols and guidelines
based on assessment results and identified needs.
c. Monitor trends and outcomes related to stress levels among
correctional health workers.
d. Regularly review and update the policy and interventions based on
feedback, research, and best practices.
III. OBSERVATION AND OUTCOME MEASURES
A. To ensure the effectiveness of the stress management assessment policy, the
following observation and outcome measures will be implemented:
1. Regularly monitor stress levels among correctional health workers using
stress management assessments.
2. Tracking the utilization of resources provided to correctional health
workers.
3. Gathering feedback and input from correctional health workers regarding
the effectiveness of the stress reduction interventions.
4. Assessing job satisfaction and well-being indicators among correctional
health workers.
Periodic evaluations will be conducted to review the observation and
outcome measures, and adjustments will be made to the policy and
interventions as needed.
RESOURCES
B.
The following resources may be used to reduce stress and improve job satisfaction:
Stress management workshops.
1.
Relaxation techniques
2.
Social support groups
3.
Individual counseling
4.
C. Estimated Cost

The estimated cost associated with implementing the stress management assessment policy
includes the following:
1. Training and education programs: $5000
2. Implementation of stress management assessments: $5000 (includes assessment
tools, personnel training, and data management systems)
3. Provision of resources: $10000 (includes counseling services, stress reduction
workshops, self-care programs, and other support mechanisms)
4. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation: $2000 (includes data analysis, reporting,
and program adjustments)

IV. RESPONSIBILITIES
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1. Human Resources Department:

a. Coordinate the implementation of the stress management assessment policy during the
hiring process.
b. Ensure that all potential correctional health workers undergo the stress management
assessment using the designated tool.
c. Maintain confidentiality of assessment results and securely store the data in
compliance with privacy regulations.
d. Collaborate with relevant departments to provide appropriate resources based on the
assessment results.
e. Monitor the effectiveness of the stress management assessment policy and make
necessary adjustments.

2. Training and Development Department:

a. Develop and deliver training programs on stress management techniques, self-care
strategies, and the importance of well-being.
b. Ensure that all correctional health workers and relevant staff members receive regular
training on stress management.
c. Collaborate with the Human Resources Department to integrate stress management
training into onboarding and ongoing professional development.

3. Stress Management Assessment Personnel:

a. Administer and score the stress management assessments using validated tools such as
the Perceived Stress Scale.
b. Maintain competence in stress management assessment techniques through ongoing
training and professional development.
c. Ensure the confidentiality and security of assessment results.
d. Collaborate with other departments to provide appropriate resources and interventions
based on the assessment results.

4. Correctional Health Services Department:

a. Collaborate with the Human Resources Department and Training and Development
Department to implement the stress management assessment policy.
b. Support correctional health workers in accessing resources and interventions based on
their specific needs identified through the assessments.
c. Monitor correctional health workers' well-being and stress levels through ongoing
communication and feedback channels.
d. Provide feedback to the stress management committee on the effectiveness of the
policy and make recommendations for improvements.

5. Stress Management Committee:

a. Oversee the implementation and evaluation of the stress management assessment
policy.
b. Develop and review stress management protocols and guidelines based on assessment
results and identified needs.
c. Monitor trends and outcomes related to stress levels among correctional health
workers.
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d. Regularly review and update the policy and interventions based on feedback,
research, and best practices.

All staff members within the organization or correctional facility must familiarize
themselves with this policy, comply with its guidelines, and actively participate in stress
management assessments and related programs. Collaboration and communication
among departments are crucial for successfully implementing the stress management
assessment policy and promoting well-being among correctional health workers.

Appendix B: PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act) Worksheet

PLAN
I plan to implement a stress management assessment using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) on
correctional health workers during the hiring process and at regular intervals during their
employment. This would be done by providing stress management and coping skills training to
correctional health workers, including mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques, cognitive-
behavioral therapy, and relaxation training.

This produces: Reduced stress levels among correctional health workers, improved coping skills
and resilience and enhanced job satisfaction and quality of care.

Steps I will need to take to execute the plan:

1. Collaborate with the Human Resources Department to integrate the stress management
assessment into the hiring process and establish regular assessment intervals.
2. Identify and engage qualified personnel trained in stress management assessment to
administer and score the PSS.
3. Develop and deliver stress management and coping skills training programs for
correctional health workers, incorporating evidence-based techniques such as
mindfulness-based stress reduction, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and relaxation training.
4. Establish mechanisms to provide access to mental health services, such as counseling,
within the correctional facility.
5. Work with management to implement flexible work schedules that consider the well-
being of correctional health workers.
6. Foster a supportive work environment encouraging strong social support among
correctional health workers.

DO
The high-stress levels experienced by correctional health workers in their challenging
work environment and the potential negative impact on their well-being and patient care
quality.
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STUDY
1. Decreased stress levels among correctional health workers, as measured by the PSS scores.
2. Improved coping skills and resilience among correctional health workers, as assessed through
self-report measures and feedback.
3. Enhanced job satisfaction and quality of care indicators, including surveys and performance
evaluations.

Measurement of improvement: Pre- and post-assessment of stress levels using the Perceived
Stress Scale.

ACT

This plan aligns with the established purpose statement by addressing the identified clinical issue
of stress reduction in correctional health workers. The plan focuses on evidence-based
interventions and system/process changes to improve outcomes, such as conducting stress
management assessments, providing training, and enhancing support systems.