...Importance of Accountability By: Teresa Luna University of Phoenix February 21, 2011 Instructor: James Morello Accountability is honestly one of the most important aspects to the healthcare industry. It is one of those factors that one would expect to be a necessary part of an organization not only because it is expected but because it is a necessary evil. Employees need to be accountable for their actions in one way or another. An organization cannot function properly without this feature. It has become a new fact of life and affects an organization like no other factor and has cost the healthcare industry billions of dollars and continues to grow on a day by day basis. According to Porter-O’Grady (2007), accountability is the most overused and misunderstood element of leadership today. Accountability is very important to the healthcare industry because in order for an organization to succeed, it takes employees being responsible for their own actions. If employees do not take control of how they behave or become responsible for their own actions such as knowing and perceiving ones’ own honesty then money may disappear causing the organization to go bankrupt. If a physician or its staff makes false claims against a patient’s insurance it could put the organization as a whole at risk. The healthcare industry is a billion dollar industry and has a potential of becoming a very huge value to the public. Without accountability employees jobs can be lost and...
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...The Importance of Accountability Paper April 25, 2016 HCS/475 Samantha Perez Accountability is a skill not every person has but very important to be a successful person. Accountability is taking responsibility for any actions taken or results from those actions. This is a skill any leader should focus on and try to obtain for their own success but also for the organization they work for. Even if things do not turn out to be as expected it is good for that person to stand for their actions and becoming responsible for the results in order for identify what the problem was and how it might be fixed. The important thing is to be able to not make the same mistakes if our results were not good. We need to keep in mind that human beings make mistakes on a daily basis and what makes them successful is learning from those mistakes done. In health care accountability is definitely more important because you are dealing with patient’s health and lives. Being accountable in any health care organization it means that you are responding to patient, community, political, and commercial expectations. At all levels of the healthcare system important decisions are taken with regard to the quantity and the way in which the resources are used (Nunes 2011). Health care professional’s objective is to always offer the best quality of health care and access to resources to be able to meet those objectives. Each year over 100,000 people die due to health care mistakes that most of the times...
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...Governance in Non-Profit Healthcare MGMT 640 Executive Summary Good leadership, financial management, and governance are the essentials for success in any organisation, whether the organisation is a non-profit organisation or a for-profit organisation. In non-profit healthcare the seamless interaction of all the parts makes the organisation successful as a whole. Service provided must be consistent with the goals of the organisation. Agencies and watchdogs have become even more visible seeking accountability and transparency. But how do leaders within the organisation work together to make it a success, how are they governed to achieve the goals of the organisation? In for-profit effective governance is easily recognisable, and achieved. The most important element in an organisation that operates for profit is its balance sheet, great sales and rising stock prices, profits being paid out as dividends, no mention of fraud in the company accounting, these are all excellent indicators of effective governance. In non-profits more so in healthcare, it is terribly difficult to measure or see effective governance. Also, the idea of optimum efficiency may have differing connotations for each stakeholder. Non-profits benefit from the luxury of not having to suffer agency conflicts; nevertheless they must ensure that there are measures in place that ensures transparency. Based on the five (5) overarching strategies suggested...
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...The third objective that relates to the book is Objective 5 – “Integrate advocacy skills in the influence of public policy.” The ultimate premise of the book was that there needs to be transparency and accountability in healthcare. Currently the healthcare system is broken and burdening our families, businesses and national debt (Makary, 2012). Through transparency, however, we can empower consumers to make the practice of medicine more honest, address the cost crisis, and make hospitals accountable to the delivery of safer care. Advocacy is an important role nurses must take for their patients. One example Makary (2012) provided was a nurse who will administer a medicine even if she believes it was ordered incorrectly, because that hospital...
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...Accountability as a Concept Wendie Malkinski Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Dr. Linda Phelps November 29, 2015 Accountability as a Concept Accountability in the field of nursing is very important as everything we do can either save or take lives. When mistakes are made at this level of care it affects public trust and someone must take responsibility for mistakes and also life saving measures. This is one of the cornerstones of the medical profession as a whole. As we have taken an oath to do no harm. Responsibility equals accountability. Accountability shows in many ways, shapes and forms. This concept also shows up in more than just the medical field, and nursing. It appears in everything from architecture, government, and even our personal lives. All throughout history the concept of accountability has appeared on the canvas. For example, President Truman embraced the term “The buck stops here”. Basically saying that instead of passing the blame or the “buck”, the responsibility lies with him as our leader and president. (The Harry S. Truman Library, n.d.). What the Literature Says During a preliminary literature search, I found the accountability concept displayed in many different disciplines and categories. For example, I found accountability mentioned in the medical field, government, sociology, psychology, and even engineering / architecture. Going a little further...
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...Running head: BEING ACCOUNTABLE: UTILIZING EVIDENCE-BASED Being Accountable: Utilizing Evidence-Based Research Grand Canyon University NRS 430V Professional Dynamics August 27, 2011 Being Accountable: Utilizing Evidence-Based Research Merriam-Webster defines accountability as “an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions” (Merriam-Webster, n.d.) What does this term mean from the global healthcare perspective? In the healthcare arena, it is a legal, moral, and ethical term used to describe healthcare providers’ obligation to themselves, their patients, and to society as a whole. The nurse is an integral part of the healthcare team that contributes to accountability realm. How does this concept translate into everyday professional nursing practice? According to the American Nurses Association, “accountability means to be answerable to oneself and others for one’s own actions. The nurse acts under a code of ethical conduct that is grounded in moral fidelity and respect for the dignity, worth and self-determination of patients.” (p. 9). The ANA developed the Code of Ethics for Nurses as a tool or guideline for the nurse to “carry out nursing responsibilities in a manner consistent with quality in nursing care and the ethical obligations of the profession” (ANA, n.d.). Nurses have a responsibility for the care they provide during their nursing practice. To whom is the professional nurse responsible and accountable? Nurses are...
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...Introduction Responsibility is defined as the "reliability, dependability, and the obligation to accomplish work”, responsibility also includes each person's obligation to perform at an acceptable level, the level that the person has been educated (Kelly-Heidenthal, 2003, p. 268). Accountability is defined as, "being responsible and liable for actions or failure of actions of oneself or others in the context of delegation" (NCSBN, 2009). This is in reference to the nurse's legal liability for the actions taken and patient outcomes. Accountability and responsibility are different, as responsibility belongs to the person doing the task and accountability belongs to the person who assigned the task. The nurse is both accountable for the task being completed and is also responsible for the patients in their care. (RCN, 2010) Accountability and responsibility are two essential parts of delegation. DeWits and O’Neill (2014) define delegation as "transferring the authority to perform a selected nursing task in a selected situation to a competent individual ". When delegating, the registered nurse (RN) allocates nursing tasks to health care assistants (HCAs) while still remaining accountable for the patient and the task that was assigned. Delegating is a management technique that is used to provide more efficient care to patients. (NCSBN, 2009) Permitting HCAs to take on nursing responsibilities allows the nurse to complete other tasks that need to be completed; however, delegation...
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...Introduction This paper explain the Accountability of a nursing professional based on an evidence report from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Assessment(AHRQ) , the report is " Closing the Quality Gap: A Critical Analysis of Quality Improvement Strategies (Vol. 6: Prevention of Healthcare–Associated Infections)" under the head Quality Improvement and Patient Safety What is Accountability? In Fundamentals of Nursing it says “The ability and willingness to assume responsibility for ones’ actions and accepting the consequences of one's behavior.” Accountability of nursing professional is a legal obligation; for a professional nurse it is relating to ethics and moral responsibility. Within the kingdom of professional accountability, there are many factors. The American Nursing Association (ANA) states in its code that the nurse will assume accountability for nursing judgment and actions. A professional nurse has the responsibility to take decisions and practice within the scope of care, calling upon his/her information and skills to make judgments in favor of the patient. A professional nurse is accountable to their profession, their patients, employer, and other health care team members and to themselves. Nurses are accountable to provide safest care for their patient based on evidence based practice and safe nursing interventions. Nursing profession as a whole is build up on accountability, unselfishness, integrity and social justice. A professional...
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...Daniel Sanchez Health Law and Ethics/545 August 19, 2013 Mary Cummings Introduction Over the past several decades America has witnessed overwhelming increases in health care cost and a diminishing quality of care. The involvement of government sets the expectations of enforcing laws and regulations on how health care is delivered in the United States of America. Healthcare legislation has been defining regulatory agencies for centuries. The primary existence of these government-regulated agencies is to ensure that laws and regulations are enforced. Access to quality and affordable healthcare is protected through government regulatory agencies. In addition to the escalating cost of healthcare and increasing society’s debt both positive and negative effects has transpired. The pros and cons of improving care and reducing the cost of healthcare has been the goal of regulatory agencies from the beginning. Controlling healthcare cost and delivering quality care is made possible through health care legislation. The following will discuss governmental regulatory agencies and its effects on the healthcare industry. Government Regulatory Agencies and Their Role Federal regulatory agencies are in place to govern issues that impact the people of the United States. These agencies have been in existence for hundreds of years. Situations that impact the American society are inclusive to things that have a direct personal affect on them individually. These same issues potentially...
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...Financial Managers and Quality Initiatives in Health Care Post University Tina M Dixons Abstract This paper will discuss the importance of why financial manager should be concerned with quality initiatives in the health care setting. The topic will describe why quality initiatives are a key role in the financial success and failures in healthcare. Delivery of healthcare is synonymous with finance and the task related to quality improvement and quality initiatives that support accuracy in documentation and treatment. There is a strong correlation between providers and finance. Key words: Finance, Quality initiatives, Providers, Patient care. Financial Managers and Quality Initiatives It is clear that if good quality of services, successful outcomes and customer satisfaction are presented in a healthcare setting, then the financial stability may sustain. As financial managers collaborate to achieve health care quality, they know that there are several variable factors that must manifest in order to sustain and earn profits for their organization. Some variables include reduction in medical error, appropriate diagnostics, medical analysis, education programs, staff training, prevention, primary care, financial reimbursements, technological advancements and minimizing waste. Error and Accuracy Medscape reported that “Eight years ago, the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) report To Err is Human revealed that between 44,000 and 98,000 Americans...
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...Responsibility and accountability principles Luccas Eastman HCS/475 Oct 6, 2014 Kathie Huttegger Introduction. In any industry especially that of healthcare people must follow rules and guidelines established that appoint a specific blameworthiness for issues that may arise. There are measures to which breaking specific rules may lead to a predetermined punishment such as, write-ups, termination or that of court and jurisdiction proceedings. By following strict rules it may make the work place feel that of a negative, but there are methods used to bring positivity to a place that must follow guidelines. What is taking responsibility? In the work place there are many rules that people must follow. Accountability can be described as answerability, blameworthiness, liability, and the expectation of account-giving (Dykstra, C. February 1939). In the healthcare industry, it is pertinent that facilities uphold guidelines of accountability towards employees. Measures. Individually or in a team setting, employees must know their respective role and abilities within those guidelines. It is important to understand that responsibility is a contrasted view from that of accountability. While being accountable for something, requires the responsibility to take blameworthiness, it is not the same. Accountability is measured in products, roles, outcomes and that of accomplishment or lack of it (Grady, T, & Malloch, K. (2007) All about the acts. Healthcare and the industries alike...
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...The importance of accountability paper HCS 475 November 3, 2014 Brandi Muro The Importance of Accountability Paper There are many aspects that play into being a good leader and manager. They are all of similar importance, however; there is one that is particularly important, accountability. Holding people accountable for their actions or lack thereof is important for many reasons. It entails the procedures and processes by which one party justifies and takes responsibilities for its actions. Accountability simply reflects the achievement of sustainable outcomes (Porter-O’Grady & Malloch, 2007). Although it is meant to be a positive process and should be a benefit for the organization, it can sometimes affect the work environment. Why is accountability important in the health care industry? In health care, accountability does not just begin with the front line providers, everyone in the organization is important to making sure everything runs smoothly. This starts from the bottom with those that order supplies and even those that register patients. If patients are registered incorrectly, they may receive the wrong treatments which could result in a very bad situation. Also, if the necessary medical supplies are not on hand, patients could again be put at risk. Unfortunately in health care, small mistakes can lead to life threatening outcomes. How is an employee’s accountability measured in the health care industry? In order for someone to be held accountable...
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...than being acute and curative. The country saw a new Affordable Health Care Act 2010 which cited numerous responsibilities and accountabilities on healthcare professionals. The nurses and physicians are warranted to generate a system that is more patient-centered and provide the optimal level of care. The IOM report “The future of nursing: Leading change, Advancing health”, summarizes the significance of changing nursing practice in numerous arenas to encounter distinctive needs of clients by executing the highest level of excellent care. The last few decades have witnessed nursing role evolving significantly and becoming integral part of the healthcare system. The IOM report has a remarkable influence on the nursing future. The IOM report released by the national academics of science lays utmost importance on the potential theory and uses evidence-based practice in order to improve the safety and quality of care rendered in the health care setting. In this paper, we will discuss the effect of IOM report on the various arenas of nursing practice, education, leadership, and management. The technology has changed our lives significantly and nursing is no exception to it. The modern technology has brought in many changes in nursing and healthcare system. The nursing have seen numerous changes and will continue to grow in near future. In the healthcare industry, the technology has been instrumental in reducing medical errors and enhance client safety. According to IOM.” Changes...
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...Quint Studer’s accomplishments in healthcare include leading other healthcare CEO’s and healthcare organizations into making strides and results in the healthcare industry. Quint Studer formed the Studer Group®, an outcomes firm that implements evidence-based leadership systems that help clients attain and sustain outstanding results. He was named one of the "Top 100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare" by Modern Healthcare magazine for his work on institutional healthcare improvement (Studer, 2000). Studer draws on his vast personal experience as a former hospital executive who led two organizations to the top 1% in patient satisfaction and his experience coaching hundreds of healthcare organizations since (Brooks, 2008). If I were the CEO...
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...The Newton-Wellesley Hospital (NWH) is a medical center that provides the services and expertise of a major medical facility with the convenience and personal attention of a community hospital. NWH is committed to delivering high-quality safe and efficient medical care to each and every patient. As Vice President for Physician Services, it is my position to display leadership within the NWH family. To work closely with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and other members of NWH’s team to ensure hospital-related practices. This position serves for an excellent leadership opportunity and to help CEO, Dr. Jellinek to develop a plan of actions that are of priority for Newton-Wellesley Hospital for the next six months. My position is to identify the major issues and to execute a plan of action to solve these issues. Six Month Plan of Action Priority Issue: Shifting workforce demographics Both the influx of women and the new generation of young physicians’ shifts have a significant implication for recruitment and retention because of assumptions regarding the younger generations and women’s attitudes towards work and patient care (Jovic, Wallce, & Lemaire, 2006). This poses a problem because many of the younger physicians have a desire for more flexible schedules, a preference for the latest technology, and generation X and women are more concerned about work-life balance and quality of life rather than the older generation of physicians. The profession of medicine...
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