The loss of a patient to cancer, particularly if the patient is young, takes a piece of your heart. We worked with our Employee Assistance Program to develop a compassion fatigue program to assist with feelings, the importance of self care and the importance of being supportive with each other.

1. Kaiser Permanente, Northern California
Caritas Consortium 2013
Compassion Fatigue
Caritas in Action
How Caring Science informs and inspires KP caregivers and affirms our commitment to provide our
patients and their families exceptional care

2. Compassion Fatigue
Intent to Contribute Statement:
I am a manager of an oncology unit. My staff and I notice that the loss of patient to cancer,
particularly if the patient is young, takes a piece of your heart. The staff is sad for days. We worked
with our Employee Assistance Program to develop a compassion fatigue program to assist with
feelings, the importance of self care and the importance of being supportive with each other. We
were surprised that when we offered the presentation to the oncology unit, that other
departments also wanted to come join us in the activity. The presentation, opened to all units,
includes discussion of feeling of caring for patients along with other priorities of family, finances
and work demands. The permission to allow for self care and reflection is addressed. The
presentation takes place in a conference room with softened lighting, comfort foods and
appropriate music to allow relaxation, appreciation and an opportunity to nourish the soul. We
believe that a hospital staff who have been appreciated and cared for will extend exceptional care
to patients and their family.
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3. Compassion Fatigue
Inspired Contributor(s) 1 :
Julie Vaday

-----Service Area: Santa Clara
Medical Center: SCL
Affiliation: PCS
-----Year Shared: 2013
Venue: Caritas Consortium
Format: Poster
ID #: n/a
1
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Names as listed in Lotus Notes, otherwise personal e-mails indicated
Keyword TAGs:
Identifier
 Consortium2013-July, Santa
Clara, Poster, Patient Care
Services, Oncology
 Education & Staff Dev, Self
Descriptor
 Compassion Fatigue, Self-Care

4. Compassion Fatigue