The pursuit of improving quality of care and of patient safety is a crucial objective in intensive care units (ICUs). Classically, safety is characterized by analyzing adverse events. Neonatal and pediatric ICUs (NICUs/PICU) are highly technological units, with evidence of risk for elevated levels of emotional exhaustion and thus a significant level of staff turnover. We hypothesized that appreciative inquiry (AI), currently used in many organizations, could be introduced in our ICU. In the PICU and NICU, this new concept is termed “learning from excellence” (LFE).

To assess the impact of the implementation of an LFE program on well-being and on an educational program in the NICU/PICU of a tertiary care center in France.

We created a workgroup composed of caregivers called the “3R team” for “right resuscitations reviews,” based on the concept of AI. Before and 1 year after implementation, we administered two validated surveys—the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Siegrist survey—to the entire staff of the 22-bed unit.

The questionnaire on satisfaction revealed a high percentage (93%) of satisfaction with the work of the 3R team and that scores of well-being and burnout were improved. The educational program was highly enhanced, especially simulation. Benevolence and happiness were increased.

Implementation of an LFE program in a NICU and PICU is feasible, and tends to increase the well-being and self-confidence of all categories of caregivers. It promotes educational programs of dynamic learning, including simulation. The next important step will be to study the impact on staff turnover and on quality of care.