Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph Prioritizes Staff Safety through Compassionate Patient Care
(Oct. 16, 2026) – Strategies that address workforce recruitment and retention are essential to providing optimal health in Kansas. The Workforce Strategies Award recognizes a team of employees, providers or volunteers who have significantly contributed to the well-being, retention or recruitment of health care workers at their facility.
Creating a safe work environment is essential to protecting health care workers, preventing burnout and retaining experienced staff. At Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, St. Joseph campus, a multidisciplinary team is tackling workplace violence in behavioral health units by rethinking how patients receive care.
High rates of workplace violence and safety threats were contributing to staff anxiety, burnout and increased turnover intentions. Overcrowded inpatient units created stressful environments that heightened patient agitation and aggression, putting employees at greater risk.
"When employees feel unsafe at work, it affects their well-being and their ability to provide the best possible care," said Jennifer Goehring, chief nursing officer for Via Christi St. Joseph. "We recognized that improving staff safety meant addressing the underlying causes of these challenges."
The Behavioral Unit Safety Team, consisting of nursing leaders, frontline staff and physicians, developed a strategy focused on reducing overcrowding and creating a more therapeutic environment.
The team refined inpatient admission criteria and expanded outpatient services, allowing patients to receive timely treatment in the least restrictive setting. Equally important was adopting a person-first approach that encourages staff to see patients as individuals rather than defining them by diagnoses or behaviors.
"By approaching every patient with empathy and understanding, we can reduce tensions, prevent crises and create a safer environment for everyone," Goehring said.
Through collaboration, shared decision-making and improved de-escalation techniques, the initiative has reduced workplace tension, strengthened patient safety and fostered a culture of mutual support.
"Our goal is to create an environment where employees feel protected, supported and confident in their work," Goehring said. "When we prioritize both staff safety and compassionate patient care, everyone benefits."
The initiative demonstrates how addressing workplace safety challenges can strengthen employee well-being while supporting long-term workforce recruitment and retention.
--Shelby Stacy