Mini Review

A Healthy Work Environment Utilizing “Triple CPR”

Dr. Michael R Cooper* and Dr. Katharine Camden

College of Nursing and Health Professionals, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, United States

Submission: April 16, 2025;Published: April 28,2025

*Corresponding author: Dr. Michael R Cooper, College of Nursing and Health Professionals, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, United States

How to cite this article: Dr. Michael R C, Dr. Katharine C. A Healthy Work Environment Utilizing “Triple CPR”. Biostat Biom Open Access J. 2025; 12(2): 555831.DOI: 10.19080/BBOAJ.2025.11.555831

Abstract

A healthy work environment is essential in all healthcare settings and plays a significant role in the quality of nursing care. Nurse leaders can influence and transform workplace culture through intentional quality improvement initiatives. Creating a patient-centered environment not only enhances patient outcomes but also fosters exceptional experiences for both patients and staff. Utilizing assessment tools to evaluate unit and hospital-level work culture allows leaders to identify opportunities for improvement and implement targeted strategies.

Keywords: Triple CPR; Patient Care; Healthcare Environment

Abbreviations: HWE: Healthy Work Environments; CPR: Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation

Introduction

This paper introduces the Triple CPR framework as a practical, values-based model to promote a culture of civility, respect, and professional excellence. The framework centers around three core “C’s”: Compassion, Communication, and Competency, supported by Perseverance and Respect to embody the full spirit of a healthy nursing environment. When adopted organization-wide, these principles empower leaders and staff alike to collaboratively build a resilient and engaged workforce. The benefits of a healthy work environment can improve staff satisfaction, reduce burnout, and enhance patient care.

A healthy work environment in healthcare is fundamental for ensuring optimal patient care, enhancing staff satisfaction, and improving overall organizational performance. A literature review on the topic of a Healthy Work Environment in healthcare, particularly with a focus on Compassion, Communication, Competency, Perseverance, and Respect (Triple CPR), can provide a foundation for understanding why these elements are vital for improving both staff well-being and patient outcomes. Studies show healthcare settings with positive work environments experience lower staff turnover, reduced burnout, and better patient outcomes [1]. For instance, healthy work environments (HWE) have been associated with improved nurse retention, increased job satisfaction, and enhanced patient safety [2].

How about a new approach, which can be used in any setting: Triple CPR? Triple “C” stands for Communication, Compassion, and Competency-key components of any team. The “P” stands for Perseverance, and the “R” for Respect. Most people understand what CPR represents in general, but those individual team members who do not display these essential characteristics need to be resuscitated-meaning they need to be “woken up” and re-engaged.

One of the key elements of an HWE is effective communication. Research consistently supports the idea that communication is essential for both team cohesion and high-quality patient care. Teams that communicate well are more likely to collaborate effectively, leading to better clinical outcomes and a safer environment [3]. Including communication as a core component of a healthy work environment, through the Triple CPR framework, is particularly important in high-stakes environments like critical care nursing.

Another crucial element is competency. Studies emphasize that a skilled and knowledgeable workforce is directly linked to better patient outcomes. Competency, particularly in the context of critical care, ensures that staff can handle complex patient needs and work collaboratively with colleagues [4]. When competency is prioritized and integrated into workplace expectations, as seen with the implementation of Triple CPR, staff performance improves, and so does patient care.

Compassion is another vital attribute of an HWE. Compassionate leadership and compassionate care are strongly associated with improved staff engagement, reduced burnout, and higher levels of job satisfaction [5]. Research has shown that when staff members feel supported and valued through compassionate leadership, their interactions with patients and each other improve, leading to better healthcare delivery [6].

In addition to compassion and communication, perseverance and respect play pivotal roles in sustaining an HWE. Perseverance is necessary for overcoming challenges, particularly in high-pressure healthcare settings, while respect fosters a positive atmosphere where staff feel valued and empowered. Evidence suggests that respect among colleagues leads to greater cooperation, reduces conflict, and enhances teamwork [7]. Respectful interactions are also linked to lower levels of staff burnout and greater job satisfaction, both of which are crucial for maintaining a sustainable, high-performing healthcare environment.

The Essential Standards of Critical Care emphasize the importance of fostering a supportive, inclusive, and effective work environment to improve both staff satisfaction and patient outcomes [8]. The Triple CPR framework aligns well with these standards, incorporating key elements like compassion, communication, competency, and respect to foster an environment conducive to high-quality patient care.

Conclusion

The literature consistently supports the idea that a healthy work environment is foundational to improving both staff well-being and patient outcomes in healthcare settings. The Triple CPR framework-incorporating Compassion, Communication, Competency, Perseverance, and Respect-aligns with these findings and offers a structured, actionable approach to creating such an environment. By embedding these values into the daily practices of healthcare staff, as demonstrated through shared governance and performance standards, organizations can foster a culture that enhances both team dynamics and clinical outcomes.

References

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2. Margot Shields , Kathryn Wilkins (2009) Factors related to on-the-job abuse of nurses by patients. Health Rep 20(2): 7-19.
3. Hoffman RM, et al. (2014) Communication in healthcare: A review of literature and implications for improvement. Journal of Nursing Care Quality 29(2): 110-115.
4. Manser T (2009) Teamwork and patient safety in dynamic domains of healthcare: A review of the literature. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica 53(2): 143-151.
5. Kouzes JM, Posner BZ (2012) The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations (5^th). Wiley, USA.
6. Lown BA, et al. (2011) The ethical dimensions of compassionate care. Journal of Compassionate Health Care 1(1): 1-11.
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8. Society of Critical Care Medicine (2020) Essential Standards of Critical Care. Society of Critical Care Medicine.