In a healthcare environment that is challenged by myriad issues, including staff shortages, medical errors, budgetary constraints, and relationship difficulties, how can we achieve excellence in patient care?

One step at a time. We can begin by aspiring to change our work environments.

Consider this: AACN's latest market research shows that nurses are not overly positive about the working relationships on their units. In fact, only about 50% of nurses rated their working relationships as healthy. Although nurses described relationships between nurses and administrators as least positive, nurse-to-nurse relationships are also an issue. Collaboration and communication are critical components in a healthy work environment. According to JCAHO, communication issues are present in 65% of all sentinel events reported.

This document outlines six characteristics of a safe, healing, and humane environment for nurses and their patients. The standards are: skilled communication, effective decision making, appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition, authentic leadership, and true collaboration. The standards, which can be accessed at http://www.aacn.org/aacn/pubpolcy.nsf/Files/HWEStandards/$file/HWEStandards.pdf, provide a blueprint for how to improve an unhealthy workplace that may be contributing to medical errors, ineffective delivery of patient care, and conflict and stress among staff members.

Don't resign yourself to "business as usual." You can make a difference in the environment you work in and thus, the quality of care your patients receive. Download the "Healthy Work Environments" standards and find ways to implement them.

Be inspired and inspire others to bring about change. All it takes is one person to get the ball rolling. Others will join you in your pursuit of excellence.