Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
I. INTRODUCTION
We all know about the three Cs choice, continuity and
control, the central tenets of woman-centred care. However,
what we might be less familiar with is the concept of the three
As Autonomy, Assertiveness and Accountability. What does
this really have to do with everyday practice and the midwifery
profession?
A recent Healthcare Commission report highlighted several
issues, what part did a lack of assertiveness play? Are you
assertive? If you see a problem what is your response? Does
your accountability mean writing doctor informed? Midwives
need to question their own custom and practice, whether in
management, education or clinical practice. Do you have the
three As? If not, why not?
II. ACCOUNTABILITY
Accountability is a concept in ethics and governance with
several meanings. It is often used synonymously with such
concepts as responsibility, answerability,
blameworthiness, liability, and other terms associated with the
expectation of account-giving.
In leadership roles, accountability is the acknowledgment and
assumption of responsibility for actions, products, decisions, and
policies including the administration, governance, and
implementation within the scope of the role or employment
position and encompassing the obligation to report, be explain
and answerable for resulting consequences.
III. DEFINITION
The ability and willingness to assume responsibility for
ones actions and accepting the consequences of one's
behaviour.
-Kozier
Accountability: being answerable to someone for something
done
-ANA, 2002
The state of being accountable; liability to be called on to
render an account; the obligation to bear the consequences
for failure to perform as expected; accountableness.
- R. Hall (The awful idea of accountability)
Moral
Administrative
Political
Managerial
Market
Legal/judicial
Constituency relation
Professional
6. Self
1. Accountable to your Employer
All workers must be issued with a written contract of
employment within of starting a job. Your contract could
include:
- What was agreed at your interview;
- Any document you have signed;
- Any implied terms of your employment.
2. Accountable to the profession
The position on your accountability forms the basis from which
to challenge unacceptable standards of care and makes it clear
that responsibility for your actions rests with you as an
individual nurse.
- Maintaining and improving professional knowledge and
competence;
- Acknowledging limitations in knowledge and competence;
- Declining any duty or responsibility unless you are able to
perform it in a safe and skilled manner.
3. Accountability to Clients
Clinical competence: knowing how & why things are done
Safe nursing care
Allow clients to participate in nursing care activities,
including planning
Respect individual client differences
Altruistic intentions
Serve as a client advocate when the need arises
Primary nursing
Team nursing
Shared governance
Advanced technology
Increasing ambiguity as part of an interdisciplinary
health care team member
Increased respect
Rewards
Effectiveness
Control
Action
Responsible & commended for maintaining safe
standards for client care
XV. CONCLUSION
Each nurse is accountable to the public and responsible for
ensuring that her/his practice and conduct meets legislative
requirements and the standards of the profession. Nurses are
responsible for their actions and the consequences of those
actions. Theyre also accountable for conducting themselves in
ways that promote respect for the profession. Nurses are not
accountable for the decisions or actions of other care providers
when there was no way of knowing about those actions
Accountability is the right, power, and competence to act.
Accountability includes the autonomy, authority and control of
ones actions and decisions. Sample professional behaviours
include:
evaluates client care and implements changes in care
practices to improve outcomes of care;
serves as a responsible steward of the environment, and
human and material resources while coordinating care;
uses an evidence-based approach to meet specific needs of
individuals, clinical populations or communities;
manages, monitors and manipulates the environment to
foster health and health care quality; and
prevents or limits unsafe or unethical care practices.
XVI. BIBILOGRAPHY
i) Book References:
1. Glover, D. (1999a) To do or not to do. The UKCC Code of
Conduct: A Critical Guide (ed. I Heywood-Jones),
London: Nursing Times Books: 2738.
2. Gold, R. (1958) Roles in sociological field observations.
Social Forces 36 (3): 217223.
3. Wiener, C. and Kayser-Jones, J. (1989) Defensive work in
nursing homes: accountability gone amok. Social Science
and Medicine 28 (1): 3744.
4. Watson, R. (1995b) Introduction: accountability in
nursing. Accountability in Nursing Practice (ed.
R.Watson), London: Chapman and Hall: 117.
5. Walsh, M. (1997) Accountability and intuition: justifying
nursing practice. Nursing Standard 11 (23):3941.
6. Tingle, J. (1997) Expanded role of the nurse:
accountability confusion. British Journal of Nursing 6
(17): 10111013.
SEMINOR ON
ACCOUNTABILITY
Submitted to
Mrs. ARUNA JYOTHI
M.Sc (N)
Associate Professor
Mamata College of
Nursing
Khammam
Submitted by
Mrs. Udaya Sree.G
M.Sc Nursing Ist Year
Mamata College of Nursing
Khammam