Can a Single Word Change the Culture of an ICU?

Burnout is an epidemic in our Intensive Care Units, affecting staff well-being, patient care, and even hospital costs. But what if the solution to this widespread problem was simpler than we think?

This week, we’re diving into the Hello Trial, a massive 1:1 cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted across 370 ICUs in 60 countries. Researchers tested a simple, four-week, unit-based intervention designed to promote positive workplace culture and within-team support using tools like posters, email nudges, positive message boxes, and role modeling.

The results are practice-changing:

The intervention significantly reduced burnout prevalence from 63.3% in the control group to 52.2% in the intervention group (P < 0.001).
It improved perceptions of job satisfaction, workplace safety, ethical climate, and patient- and family-centered care.
Staff in the intervention arm were less likely to consider changing jobs.
They also had lower emotional exhaustion, lower depersonalization, and higher personal accomplishment scores.

Here’s the bedside “so what”:
A pragmatic, system-level focus on positive communication and team cohesion can rapidly and meaningfully shift your unit’s culture—directly improving staff well-being.

Forget the individual-focused, time-draining wellness programs. The answer might be in a simple, collective shift in how we interact. Tune in as we break down the specific components of the Hello intervention and how you can bring this powerful, low-cost strategy to your ICU.

Euthyphro Dilemma Answered