Importance of Accountability
The Importance of Accountability Paper
Jason Green
HCS/475
12-18-12
Angie Barr
The success of any organization deeply relies on the accountability of each individual employee within the organization. Accountability is the act of accepting and carrying out one’s responsibilities (Porter-O’Grady & Malloch, 2007). Accountability, in the business sense, refers to an individual that can be counted on to fulfill responsibilities, and when mistakes or lapses occur this individual is willing to take ownership and resolve the issues. An individual that is accountable does not place blame on others when problems occur. This individual is willing to accept the blame when problems occur because it was the responsibility of the individual to avoid such problems. Accountability is imperative in the health care industry. With the health and well-being of people’s lives at stake, it is a necessity that all health care professionals hold themselves accountable. An organization is only as strong as their weakest employee, so when one individual does not hold up his or her end of the bargain, the entire organization suffers for it. In turn, this leads to decreased quality of care and services that are provided by the organization. Accountability is important in the health care industry for a number of reasons, but the most important reason is because accountability improves quality of care. “Efficiently run organizations that are clinically integrated and hold themselves accountable will ultimately be positioned to perform well and deliver results in any scenario” (Austin, 2010, para.). The practice of accountability in an organization ensures that all individuals understand, accept, and effectively carry out their responsibilities (Porter-O’Grady & Malloch, 2007). When all employees fulfill their responsibilities, the quality of care and services provided are improved. Accountability also helps to manage the workload that is required by each employee,
Jason Green
HCS/475
12-18-12
Angie Barr
The success of any organization deeply relies on the accountability of each individual employee within the organization. Accountability is the act of accepting and carrying out one’s responsibilities (Porter-O’Grady & Malloch, 2007). Accountability, in the business sense, refers to an individual that can be counted on to fulfill responsibilities, and when mistakes or lapses occur this individual is willing to take ownership and resolve the issues. An individual that is accountable does not place blame on others when problems occur. This individual is willing to accept the blame when problems occur because it was the responsibility of the individual to avoid such problems. Accountability is imperative in the health care industry. With the health and well-being of people’s lives at stake, it is a necessity that all health care professionals hold themselves accountable. An organization is only as strong as their weakest employee, so when one individual does not hold up his or her end of the bargain, the entire organization suffers for it. In turn, this leads to decreased quality of care and services that are provided by the organization. Accountability is important in the health care industry for a number of reasons, but the most important reason is because accountability improves quality of care. “Efficiently run organizations that are clinically integrated and hold themselves accountable will ultimately be positioned to perform well and deliver results in any scenario” (Austin, 2010, para.). The practice of accountability in an organization ensures that all individuals understand, accept, and effectively carry out their responsibilities (Porter-O’Grady & Malloch, 2007). When all employees fulfill their responsibilities, the quality of care and services provided are improved. Accountability also helps to manage the workload that is required by each employee,
References: Austin, G. (2010, Winter). Accountability generates improved care. Frontiers of Health Services Management, 27(2), 41-43. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=e9ad7227-48a3-4c2d-9c1f-99feb06019a0%40sessionmgr115&vid=4&hid=109 Lyons, M.F. (1999, March-April). Be positive--it 's a necessary strategy. Physician Executive, 25(2), 72-73. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?sid=e9ad7227-48a3-4c2d-9c1f 99feb06019a0%40sessionmgr115&vid=7&hid=109&bdata=JnNpd GU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d Porter-O’Grady, T. & Malloch, K. (2007). Managing for success in health care. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby, Elsevier. Price, M. (2010). The antidote to medical errors. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/monitor/2010/01/antidote.aspx