Accountability in Nursing

Article Analysis

Selected Primary Research Article: APA Format

Battie, R., & Steelman, V. (2014). Accountability in Nursing Practice: Why It Is Important for Patient Safety. AORN Journal, 5(1), 537-541.

Visual Representation

Accountability is a powerful practice that can support the needs of many patients. The practice also increases a caregiver’s contribution to his or her institution. This argument explains why “preoperative nurses and other practitioners should remain accountable for lifelong learning, patient advocacy, continuity of care, and welfare of their fellow caregivers” (Battie & Steelman, 2014, p. 537). The table below examines how the authors of the above peer-reviewed article applied the five major parts of a research study.

Article: APA Format Battie, R., & Steelman, V. (2014). Accountability in Nursing Practice: Why It Is Important for Patient Safety. AORN Journal, 5(1), 537-541.
Background Information The authors begin by addressing the issue of accountability in nursing practice. A detailed introduction is presented in order to examine the issues associated with accountability. According to the authors, nurses should always be accountable to their patients. They should also focus on the needs of their colleagues and working environments (Battie & Steelman, 2014). The main purpose of the article is to identify specific actions and behaviors that can make more nurses accountable.
Review of the Literature The authors have consulted different articles in order to produce quality information. The article identifies various practices that can make every caregiver more accountable. The article encourages nurses to form successful healthcare organizations. This approach also improves the quality of care (Battie & Steelman, 2014). Patient advocacy is also a powerful practice that can result in accountability.
Discussion of Methodology The nature of the study does not allow the researchers to use data collection methods. The article uses a qualitative approach. Past studies have been consulted in order to deliver the best results (Battie & Steelman, 2014).
Data Analysis The authors have presented their findings from different articles and databases. The findings include critical practices that can make more nurses accountable (Battie & Steelman, 2014).
Researchers’ Conclusion The literature review, discussions, and findings presented in the article play a significant role towards supporting the researchers’ conclusion. According to the authors, many patients expect their nurses to offer the best services and focus on the highest standards of practice (Battie & Steelman, 2014). The presented ideas and discussions can therefore be applied in different medical situations.

Assessing Whether the Evidence Presented Supported the Targeted Conclusion

The evidence presented in this article explains why nurses should support their organizations, patients, and communities. They should focus on the needs of their colleagues, patients, and health leaders. They should also work together in order to produce desirable results. They should also support the changing needs of their patients. Nurses should also embrace new evidence-based practices through lifelong learning (Battie & Steelman, 2014). Accountability is therefore something that should be taken seriously. The article supports the authors’ conclusion. Nursing should become a trusted profession that supports the health needs of underserved populations.

Ethical Issues

The study method used by the researchers did not result in any ethical issue. However, the discussion identifies various ethical considerations that should be taken seriously by nurses (Battie & Steelman, 2014). For instance, practitioners should respect their patients and promote various nursing principles. They should promote specific values such as privacy and confidentiality.

Type of Research Used for the Study

The researchers used a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) in order to come up with the best discussions. The authors used different evidences from various articles in order to address the targeted research question. The approach made it easier for them to come up with the best conclusion. The study approach presents useful practices, ideas, and strategies that can increase the accountability of preoperative nurses. The research method was appropriate because it delivered the targeted conclusions. The use of different study approaches could have produced similar results (Battie & Steelman, 2014). For instance, the use of case studies from top-performing healthcare institutions could have identified the best behaviors that can increase the level of accountability.

Literature Search to Evaluate Nursing Care

Evidence for Nursing Care

Nurses possess powerful skills and competencies in order to support the changing needs of their patients. Proper leadership is relevant towards empowering, guiding, and motivating caregivers. The approach will equip them with new skills and evidence-based ideas. As well, nursing is changing rapidly than ever before. Medical technologies are also emerging frequently. Scrivener (2011) encourages nurses to become patient advocates. The individuals should also operate in accordance with various standards and principles. Ethical approaches can also improve the level of accountability (Goeschel, 2011). Such measures will eventually improve the quality of care availed to different patients and underserved populations.

Completed Matrix

[The completed matrix is provided in a separate document]

Review of Scholarly Articles

Annotated Bibliography

Battie, R., & Steelman, V. (2014). Accountability in Nursing Practice: Why It Is Important for Patient Safety. AORN Journal, 5(1), 537-541.

This article examines the relevance of accountability in nursing. The discussion identifies powerful practices that can increase the accountability of nurses. Such approaches include “lifelong learning, promoting organizational practices, and ensuring there is continuity of care” (Battie & Steelman, 2014, p. 539). Such approaches will promote patient advocacy. The authors also encourage future scholars to identify new practices that can improve the accountability of preoperative nurses.

Whose Job Is It, Anyway? The Nurse’s Role in Advocacy and Accountability. (2013). ISNA Bulletin, 1, 6-10.

This article explains why healthcare remains complex. New changes emerge everyday due to technological innovations and Human Resource (HR) practices. Nurses should therefore not focus on the ideas gained in school. They should embrace new evidences and ideas in order to become competent providers of care. Technologies, human ideas, and innovations will continue to revolutionize the nature of healthcare (“Whose Job Is It,” 2013). New skills, workplace policies, better health practices, and evidence-based approaches will improve the level of accountability. The article encourages future practitioners to develop new nursing frameworks.

Goeschel, C. (2011). Defining and Assigning Accountability for Quality Care and Patient Safety. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 2(1), 28-35.

The author has a wide experience in healthcare practice. According to the researcher, most of the deaths and injuries recorded in the United States are preventable. The current legal and regulatory measures have failed to produce positive results. That being the case, the idea of accountability can ensure more practitioners to focus on patient safety. The concept will result in fairness and empowerment thus promoting the best outcomes (Goeschel, 2011). The article encourages future researchers to identify new principles that can promote teamwork.

Scrivener, R. (2011). Accountability and responsibility: Principle of Nursing Practice B. Nursing Standard, 25(29), 35-36.

The researcher identifies unique principles developed by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in an attempt to improve patient outcomes. Principle B is a powerful model developed with the aim of increasing responsibility and accountability. Practitioners should promote the best concepts in order produce positive outcomes. They should also “engage in practices that are in accordance with every ethical requirement” (Scrivener, 2011, p. 35). Future practitioners should embrace Principle B in order to address every gap affecting the level of accountability.

Middaugh, D. (2013). Accountability: Is There an App for That. MedSurg Nursing, 22(3), 200-201.

Accountability is a critical strategy towards delivering the best health services. The author describes “accountability as the ability to embrace the legal and moral requirements of proper patient care” (Middaugh, 2013, p. 201). Nurse Leaders (NLs) should therefore create the best working environments. The approach will empower more nurses to “use critical thinking, make positive decisions, and synthesize knowledge” (Middaugh, 2013, p. 201). The author offers powerful incentives towards instilling accountability in every healthcare facility.

Muzio, L. (2013). RN Accountability and Responsibility for Client Care. SRNA NewsBulletin, 1(1), 5-8.

The author is a nursing advisor who works in different healthcare settings. According to the article, nurses should remain responsible in order to produce the best health outcomes. Nurses should assess their patients in a professional manner. They should also focus on the best outcomes and nursing standards. They should also collaborate with other practitioners in order to offer positive care (Muzio, 2013). The article explains why future researchers should address the unique issues encountered by many Registers Nurses (RNs).

Rowe, J. (2000). Accountability: A Fundamental Component of Nursing Practice. British Journal of Nursing, 9(9), 549-552.

Nurses should acquire appropriate skills in order to offer competent patient care. Many patients require excellent care from their practitioners. The nature of care should be effective, accurate, efficient, and competent. Nurses should therefore be aware of their competencies. Nurses should avoid certain malpractices such as negligence. Patients have unique rights that should be respected by all (Rowe, 2000). Nursing should always establish the best relationships between caregivers and patients. The concept of true professionalism should be embraced in order to promote accountability.

Ulrich, B. (2014). The Responsibility and Accountability of being a Registered Nurse. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 41(3), 241-254.

A legal relationship exists between nurses and their patients. The scope of nursing defines the roles and responsibilities of every Registered Nurse (RN). Nurses should be aware of their legal and ethical responsibilities. They should focus on the scope of practice in order to provide the best care (Ulrich, 2014). Nurses should also be ready to work in teams and delegate various duties. Future studies should identify new ideas that can improve the level of intervention.

Kurtzman, E. (2010). A Transparency and Accountability Framework for High-Value Inpatient Nursing Care. Nursing Economics, 28(5), 295-306.

Healthcare practitioners should focus on their roles and goals. They can improve the level of accountability by being transparent, passionate, and ready to improve the quality of healthcare. Nursing should therefore embrace new models that can advocate for the best practices. Medical institutions should implement better frameworks in order to support every health goal (Kurtzman, 2010). The researcher encourages future scholars to identify new frameworks that can measure, report, and empower more nurses.

Tran, P. (2015). Nursing Starts with a Caring Heart. The Alaska Nurse, 1(1), 8-11.

Phi Tran has been practicing nursing for several years. The author examines how nurses are expected to deliver the best care and support to their patients. Nursing is something that should be treated as a calling. Registered Nurses (RNs) should practice their skills in different situations. They should also be ready to support other people’s needs. This practice should therefore be associated with a caring heart (Tran, 2015). The article encourages future practitioners to identify new practices that will eventually produce the targeted goals in healthcare.

Recommendation for a Practice Change

The arguments presented in the above articles encourage more practitioners to promote the best practices. The articles focus on the concept of accountability. Nurses should “promote the health needs of their patients, focus on the best organizational practices, and engage in lifelong learning” (Battie & Steelman, 2014, p. 539). Effective “workplace planning is also needed in order to improve service delivery” (Muzio, 2013, p. 6). These recommendations will improve the level of accountability and produce quality health outcomes.

Tools Used by the Researchers

The researchers used powerful study tools in order to present the best ideas. The use of systematic literature reviews made it possible for the researchers to come up with the best arguments and concepts. However, Phi Tran uses a narrative to explore the issues associated with accountability. These personal presentations explore specific practices that amount to accountability (Goeschel, 2011). The scholars examined various emerging issues and ideas in order to come up with a grounded theory for effective nursing. As well, it is notable that the researchers used similar tools. The authors focused on earlier publications, literature reviews, and analyses in order to produce the best discussions.

Could the Tools Have Affected the Results?

The study tools employed by the researchers did not affect the results. This is the case because accountability in nursing is something embraced by many practitioners (Ulrich, 2014). The study tools made it easier for the authors to come up with powerful concepts, practices, and ideas towards accountable nursing. The authors encourage medical practitioners to embrace evidence-based ideas.

Evidence Summary of the Articles

The above articles focus on the same issue. According to Kurtzman (2010), nurses have a huge job to transform health practice. Medical practitioners, nurses, and caregivers should embrace the best values in order to advocate for themselves. Lifelong learning is a critical strategy towards supporting the nature of nursing (Middaugh, 2013). Modern technologies and innovations will be required in order to improve the quality of nursing. New policies and frameworks will be essential towards promoting the best practices. Health Leaders (HLs) should also use new models to empower their nurses. Such incentives will eventually deliver the best results (Ulrich, 2014). The first criterion focused on the arguments and reviews presented in the ten articles. Such arguments presented powerful practices that can improve the level of accountability. The second criterion focused on the conclusions presented in every article. Such conclusions were combined in order to present the best evidence-based summary.

Recommended Nursing Strategy

The above articles offer powerful strategies and initiatives that can produce the best health outcomes. The most appropriate nursing strategy is the one that focuses on accountability. That being the case, accountability should be an ongoing process whereby nurses begin by improving their competencies and embracing evidence-based ideas. Such competencies will make it easier for them to promote patient outcomes, promote the best safety principles, and improve the level of communication (Kurtzman, 2010). The concept of accountability should therefore be implemented in every institution. This strategy will eventually make nursing an evidence-based practice.

Importance of Using Theoretical Models for Nursing Research

Theoretical models are critical whenever undertaking different researches in nursing. Such models can describe various events or trends. The “researchers in nursing can predict specific behaviors and understand how one phenomenon affects the other” (Tran, 2015, p. 9). Nurses can use such models to understand the major issues affecting their competencies. Such models will “make it possible for more researchers to identify new gaps between theory and practice” (Muzio, 2013, p. 6). The theoretical models will produce new concepts and ideas that can be used to improve the nature of nursing. Middaugh (2013) believes that nursing should be an evidence-based practice supported by ongoing studies.

Reference List

Battie, R., & Steelman, V. (2014). Accountability in Nursing Practice: Why It Is Important for Patient Safety. AORN Journal, 5(1), 537-541.

Goeschel, C. (2011). Defining and Assigning Accountability for Quality Care and Patient Safety. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 2(1), 28-35.

Kurtzman, E. (2010). A Transparency and Accountability Framework for High-Value Inpatient Nursing Care. Nursing Economics, 28(5), 295-306.

Middaugh, D. (2013). Accountability: Is There an App for That. MedSurg Nursing, 22(3), 200-201.

Muzio, L. (2013). RN Accountability and Responsibility for Client Care. SRNA NewsBulletin, 1(1), 5-8.

Rowe, J. (2000). Accountability: A Fundamental Component of Nursing Practice. British Journal of Nursing, 9(9), 549-552.

Scrivener, R. (2011). Accountability and responsibility: Principle of Nursing Practice B. Nursing Standard, 25(29), 35-36.

Tran, P. (2015). Nursing Starts with a Caring Heart. The Alaska Nurse, 1(1), 8-11.

Ulrich, B. (2014). The Responsibility and Accountability of being a Registered Nurse. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 41(3), 241-254.

Whose Job Is It, Anyway? The Nurse’s Role in Advocacy and Accountability. (2013). ISNA Bulletin, 1, 6-10.

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