Cultivating Mutual Accountability in the Emergency Department
The ever-changing pace, critical decision making, life and death situations — it all takes a toll on both the physical health and mental well-being of emergency nurses. The ability to count on team members in chaotic situations is key to the health and well-being of emergency nurses.
That's why mutual accountability among emergency nurses, leadership, and care teams is so important. It helps create trust between coworkers, improves patient outcomes and safety measures, encourages collaboration among team members, and builds a strong foundation for healing within the walls of hospitals. By building upon the foundation of mutual accountability, Engage uncovers how it enables nurses to thrive professionally, contribute their expertise, and deliver exceptional patient care.
Mutual Accountability in the Emergency Department: Mutual accountability refers to all team members' shared responsibility and commitment to achieving common goals. In the ED, nurses, physicians, technicians, and administrative staff actively contribute to delivering high-quality patient care, promoting open communication, collaboration, and a sense of collective ownership.
Promoting Open Communication: A culture of mutual accountability in the ED promotes open and effective communication between team members. Emergency nurses are pivotal in patient care as a vital link between patients, physicians, and other health care professionals. By cultivating an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing concerns, ideas, and insights, nurses can freely voice their opinions and contribute to improved patient outcomes. This open dialogue leads to better decision-making, enhanced patient safety, and reduced medical errors.
Shared Responsibility and Collaboration: Emergency nurses at the frontline of patient interactions can significantly benefit from a collaborative approach acknowledging their expertise and contributions. Collaboration with other health care professionals nurtures a sense of teamwork, improves efficiency, and helps create a positive work environment that promotes professional growth and satisfaction.
Supporting Professional Development: When team members hold each other accountable for continuous learning and improvement, nurses have opportunities to enhance their skills, expand their knowledge base, and stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in emergency care. Access to ongoing education and training equips nurses with the necessary tools and enhances their confidence in providing quality care. From this, a renewed sense of professional fulfillment, leading to higher job satisfaction and a reduced burnout rate can be achieved.
Impact on Work-Life Balance: A healthy work environment is crucial for maintaining a positive work-life balance for emergency nurses. The ED can establish clear expectations, efficient workflows, and realistic workloads by promoting mutual accountability. When responsibilities are distributed evenly among team members, emergency nurses experience reduced stress and fatigue, enabling them to provide better care to their patients, while taking care of their own well-being. This balance enhances job satisfaction and contributes to staff retention and recruitment efforts, ensuring a stable and dedicated workforce in the ED.
Engage, Powered by ENA: Promoting mutual accountability in the emergency department is an integral part of Engage, Powered by ENA, a comprehensive organization focused on partnering with hospital leadership, emergency departments and emergency nurses to create a healthy work environment.
Engage recognizes the six dimensions critical to creating a supportive workplace: culture and environment, nurse well-being, authentic leadership, safety, clinical excellence and staffing. By partnering with emergency departments and administration, Engage promotes mutual accountability to achieve these dimensions, enabling emergency nurses to thrive in their roles and provide exceptional patient care.