Implementing Sacred Pause After Patient Death to Reduce Burnout in ICU Nurses

Implementing Sacred Pause After Patient Death to Reduce Burnout in ICU Nurses Purpose This quality improvement project aimed to implement the Sacred Pause in a hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and evaluate its impact on nurse burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Background ICU nurses are at high risk for burnout due to frequent exposure to trauma, highacuity care, and patient death. Burnout can negatively affect nurse well-being, staff retention, and quality of care delivery. The Sacred Pause is a brief, intentional moment of silence observed by staff following a patient’s death. This practice honors the life lost and acknowledges the contributions of the healthcare Methodology team, offering a potential source of emotional support and resilience. Results Sixty percent of ICU nurses were in-serviced on the intervention. The Sacred Pause was performed following 6 of 12 patient deaths (50%), below the target of 75%. Post-implementation MBI data from six participants showed a modest decrease in emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, along with an increase in personal accomplishment. Small sample size and lack of matched data limited interpretation. Staff feedback was mixed, identifying both benefits and barriers to implementation. Implications The Sacred Pause is a feasible, low-cost intervention that may support ICU nurse well-being. Broader adoption and matched data collection are recommended to better evaluate its effectiveness. A Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model guided the implementation of the Sacred Pause in a 350-bed community hospital ICU. Staff received in-service education, and the practice was encouraged following patient deaths. Burnout levels were measured using the MBI before and after implementation. Charge nurses documented each Sacred Pause occurrence, and qualitative feedback was collected on the intervention’s feasibility and perceived value. Key words: Burnout, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Sacred Pause, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Quality improvemen