The implementation of an emotional intelligence bundle on emergency department staff and its effects on work-related stress
Creators: name: Vasquez, Lissette D.
Publisher: name: No Publisher Supplied
Year: 2023

description: Purpose of the Project: This study aimed to help emergency department (ED) staff decrease work-related stress by applying emotional intelligence (EI) education and techniques via an EI Bundle over four weeks. Methodology: A pre and post-evaluation design was used to determine the effectiveness of the EI bundle via Qualtrics. Descriptive statistics was conducted to determine the frequencies and distributions of the data using Excel software. Correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationship between EI and the perceived stress scale after the EI bundle. The percent change model was used to determine the effectiveness of the EI bundle on perceived stress. Demographic data was also inputted into the Excel software for correlation studies. Results: A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine the statistical significance of the EI Bundle on EI and perceived stress in registered nurses (RN), advanced practice nurses (APN), and patient care techs (PCT) in a central new jersey level three emergency department pre and post-EI bundle implementation. It was determined that the EI bundle had no statistical significance in increasing EI among participants post-implementation; however, it was determined that the EI Bundle did have statistical significance on perceived stress since stress was decreased by 26.4% post-EI bundle implementation when compared to pre-perceived stress scale scores. The EI bundle was statistically significant among stress reduction; however, the EI bundle had no statistical significance on EI. However, there was a slight increase of EI in some participants. Implications for Practice: At the project study site, ED staff have a low sense of autonomy, interprofessional rollup, and registered nurse (RN) to RN interaction as per the 2021 RN satisfaction scores. The RN satisfaction scores are given every 2-3 years via the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI). Over the last two years, there has been a significant amount of turnover at the study site, which financially impacted the ED budget and encouraged a need for change. It became apparent that the need to improve stress levels within the ED and increase EI was well-founded. EI has been directly linked to reducing negative mental health outcomes in healthcare workers (HCWs) and improving communication among interdisciplinary teams. The study results can assist in designing a policy/procedure for incorporating an EI bundle for emergency department (ED) staff when related to decreasing work-related stress especially in times of high stress such as the COVID-19 pandemic and influenza seasons. Having tools in place to reduce work-related stress is imperative since the EI bundle has proven to be effective in decreasing work-related stress among ED staff. It can also be beneficial in educating staff about EI techniques. EI techniques aid in reducing turnover, absenteeism, stress, and anxiety in health care workers (HCW) thus fostering better health care outcomes for both staff and patients in the ED. Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Work-related stress, Emergency Department, Healthcare Workers