11.3 Accountability
Anita Hedlund
Using paid work time appropriately is a key aspect of professionalism and accountability. It reflects the ethical value of doing what is right and shows a desire to meet or exceed expectations. Healthcare workers are entrusted with significant responsibilities: keeping confidential information secure, compassionately caring for patients at their most vulnerable, and providing the highest quality of care. Accountability also includes using supplies appropriately, refraining from taking home items purchased by the organization, and avoiding the waste of time or materials. Managing your time wisely and efficiently to meet deadlines or address patient needs is a crucial part of accountability. Consider how you feel when you notice a colleague spending 20 minutes on social media or chatting with a co-worker when they are not on a break. Do you wish they would check in to see if others need help instead?
Another critical aspect of accountability is promptly alerting the appropriate individuals when something is wrong, such as water on the floor, errors with patient information, or medication given to the wrong patient. These issues must be reported and corrected quickly to ensure the safety of those we serve.
Additionally, accountability involves understanding how your role fits into the larger picture of the organization’s function. It’s important to know how your contributions impact the next phase of care or the overall workflow. Can you describe your role to someone else clearly?