HCS 475 week 4 The Importance of Accountability
The Importance of Accountability
Carrie "Shellie" Cobbs
Leadership and Performance Development
HCS 475
Krystal Holthus
June 22, 2014
The Importance of Accountability
Accountability has become a hot word in the health care industry but the practice of accountability is not a new idea. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines accountability as, “the quality or state of being accountable; especially: an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one 's actions” ("Definition," 2014, p. 1). Accountability in health care is expected from the people receiving care and by the people giving the care. The team function in health care is to make patients better and if one person does not take accountability for their actions then trust begins to fail and tensions rise. When education, income, and lives are at stake accountability is key in health care.
The Importance of Accountability Accountability in health care is important because it helps an organization with continual improvement of employees, organizational procedures, and performance management. When there is accountability by employees, departments, units, and administration in the health care industry strong foundations are built for the organization to grow upon. Each person in every role in a health care organization is accountable for their own role, their role in the team environment, and their role that supports the organization. Without the accountability for the roles within the organization, health care employees are putting themselves, patients, co-workers, and the organization in jeopardy of harm. This harm can be physical, emotional, or financial but the impact is just as great.
Measuring Accountability in Health Care Employee accountability can be measured in several different ways. Press Ganey surveys allows patients the ability to raise concerns or praise good service by an employee. Pressganey.com states, “As the complexity of health care escalates, the need to
Carrie "Shellie" Cobbs
Leadership and Performance Development
HCS 475
Krystal Holthus
June 22, 2014
The Importance of Accountability
Accountability has become a hot word in the health care industry but the practice of accountability is not a new idea. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines accountability as, “the quality or state of being accountable; especially: an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one 's actions” ("Definition," 2014, p. 1). Accountability in health care is expected from the people receiving care and by the people giving the care. The team function in health care is to make patients better and if one person does not take accountability for their actions then trust begins to fail and tensions rise. When education, income, and lives are at stake accountability is key in health care.
The Importance of Accountability Accountability in health care is important because it helps an organization with continual improvement of employees, organizational procedures, and performance management. When there is accountability by employees, departments, units, and administration in the health care industry strong foundations are built for the organization to grow upon. Each person in every role in a health care organization is accountable for their own role, their role in the team environment, and their role that supports the organization. Without the accountability for the roles within the organization, health care employees are putting themselves, patients, co-workers, and the organization in jeopardy of harm. This harm can be physical, emotional, or financial but the impact is just as great.
Measuring Accountability in Health Care Employee accountability can be measured in several different ways. Press Ganey surveys allows patients the ability to raise concerns or praise good service by an employee. Pressganey.com states, “As the complexity of health care escalates, the need to
References: Accountability. (2014). In . Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accountability Dietrich, W. F. (2006). Working Solutions for the Blaming Culture -. Retrieved from http://www.physiciancoachinginstitute.com/article_till1.htm Heathfield, S. M. (2014). What Is Culture? Retrieved from http://humanresources.about.com/od/organizationalculture/g/what-is-culture.htm Performance Evaluation Tips. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.bismarckstate.edu/uploads%5Cresources%5C3568%5Cperformanceevaluations.pdf Why Press Ganey: Making the Case for Strong Health Care Performance. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.pressganey.com/whyPressGaney.aspx