Lavender Lounges Offer an Emotional Oasis on Inpatient Units

Alexandra Cummings, RN, a clinical nurse on the neurosciences subspecialty unit at Cleveland Clinic’s Main Campus, spends a few minutes nearly every shift in the unit’s newly opened Lavender Lounge. The lounge provides a dedicated space for caregivers to unwind and recharge from the stresses of working in healthcare.

“I love going in there because it’s a quiet room where you can really block out the noises happening on the floor, which can become overwhelming,” says Cummings. “I’ve used coloring books and eaten snacks in the room. Sometimes I just go in and sit for five to 10 minutes.”

An enterprise-wide initiative

The neurosciences subspecialty unit’s Lavender Lounge is one of many in the Cleveland Clinic health system. The first one opened in 2020 in a converted family conference room on a medical ICU, followed by several more during the second and third waves of the COVID pandemic.

“Evidence shows that having a space to decompress – a safe place to go after a challenging situation – can be very refreshing and helpful for well-being,” says Meredith Foxx, MSN, MBA, APRN, NEA-BC, PCNS-BC, PPCNP-BC, CPON, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for Cleveland Clinic. “When caregivers were at a high point of stress, during the height of the pandemic, we deemed this a priority.”

Most hospitals now have at least one Lavender Lounge, usually carved out from underutilized areas. When Cleveland Clinic’s new 1-million-square-foot Neurological Institute opens in 2027, it will include custom-designed space for Lavender Lounges.

“Knowing how beneficial this area has been to our caregivers, we advocated for Lavender Lounges to be added to the new neurological building,” says Kristen Vargo, DNP, RN, NE-BC, Director of Nursing for the Neurological Institute. “We will have a total of three – one in our ICU, one on our step-down floor and one in the neurosciences subspecialty unit.” 

Spaces individualized by caregivers

There is no set format for Lavender Lounges; instead, each one is designed by unit caregivers to meet their needs. Most feature dim lighting and soothing wall colors. Items in the lounges include aromatherapy, puzzles, art supplies, journaling supplies, calming artwork, coffee stations, yoga mats, music stations and more. The lounges are open to all caregivers, including nurses, physicians, health unit coordinators, respiratory and physical therapists, social workers and others.

Cleveland Clinic leaders and the community recognize the value of Lavender Lounges. Cleveland Clinic’s Nursing Institute received philanthropic funds to help support the rooms – and the caregivers.

“Being a caregiver in the inpatient setting is challenging. You see and experience things that most people don’t experience in their lifetime,” says Shannon Pengel, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer for Cleveland Clinic Main Campus. “Different situations might trigger emotional responses in individuals, and we want to be able to give them the time and space to decompress so they can be more resilient going back out on the floor and coming in the next day.”

Caregivers who need some time in the Lavender Lounge handle it similarly to breaks; they hand off patients to the charge nurse or another nurse on the unit to step away for a brief time. “All patient care is still covered while they are taking a moment to themselves,” says Vargo.

Benefits extend to patients and health systems

As a director of nursing, Vargo sees the benefits of Lavender Lounges daily. “I have probably received more positive feedback about the lounges than any other initiative we have implemented,” she says.

Cummings, who helped design the neuroscience subspecialty unit lounge, confirms its significance.

“The lounge is cozy and comfortable, and it makes me and the other nurses on the floor feel valued by our leadership,” she says.

Supporting the well-being of caregivers through Lavender Lounges and other wellness initiatives contributes to employee engagement, helps reduce turnover and produces better patient outcomes.

“There is a gap in the nursing workforce nationally,” says Pengel. “If we can create and design environments that better support nurses and other caregivers – and really attract talent from across the country – that speaks volumes. People want to work in a hospital system that best supports them.”