The decision by the CNO to report the incident to media was justified, as it is in line with transparency and accountability principles. This decision reflects the organization’s commitment to value-based healthcare, which prioritizes the patient’s well-being and safety. Furthermore, transparency is an essential aspect of healthcare organizations’ ethical responsibility, and it helps to build trust and credibility with the public. An organization that acknowledges its mistakes and details the actions taken to avoid future ones can be a strong sign of their commitment to providing quality healthcare and patient safety.
The organization could also be subject to lawsuits and reputational damage if the matter is disclosed to the media. This highlights the potential risks involved in this decision. Moreover, it may have an impact on the CNO’s personal and professional life, as it may lead to criticism and scrutiny from the media and public. Despite these risks, the benefits of transparency and accountability outweigh the potential risks and demonstrate the organization’s commitment to ethical decision-making.
On the other hand, fellow CNOs may justify withholding disclosure of the error to the public by citing potential legal and reputational risks, as well as concerns regarding the impact on the organization’s image and financial viability. However, transparency and accountability are crucial components of value-based health care. Withholding information from public sources can damage a company’s reputation, and cause it to lose trust, which could ultimately lead to financial difficulties.
As a patient’s family, I would want the CNO to be transparent and honest about the incident, its causes, and the steps taken to prevent future errors. This decision would help me understand the organization’s commitment to patient safety and the actions taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. Furthermore, I would want to ensure that my family’s experience is used to improve the quality of care provided by the organization, thereby making a positive impact on future patients.
References:
McCarthy, M. (2016). Transparency and accountability in healthcare: Do we do enough? Journal of Healthcare Management, 61(4): 239-246.
Schroeder, S. R., Salas, E., & Cannon-Bowers, J. A. (2019). Healthcare transparency and ethics. Journal of Patient Safety, 15(2): 93-96.
Tingle, J. (2017). The legal aspects of quality and safety of patient care. Routledge.