Accountability, as defined by the providers and staff of Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, is demanding from ourselves the highest in ethical and moral principles. The importance of this value was agreed upon by the entire CRDAMC workforce because we believe our patients deserve superior healthcare and we are committed to providing it. Periodically though, each of us should take a moment to do a compass check to ensure our performance matches our stated values. Ms. Janique Parnell, social work supervisor for the Warrior Transition Brigade, summed up this idea very eloquently at a recent meeting when she said, “Each of us at CRDAMC is responsible for ensuring world-class healthcare. We have to bring our ‘A’ game every day. We must be aware of our verbal and nonverbal communication, and work to be both inspirational and motivational for our patients and our peers.”
There are many praise-worthy examples of this type of accountability happening throughout our medical center every day. Recently I read a patient ICE comment from a parent whose child was seen by Susan Gallup, a provider in the CRDAMC Pediatric Clinic. It said, “Ms. Gallup was our daughter’s provider today, and she was so competent and reassuring that we would like her to treat our daughter for LIFE! I would rate her as 100 stars out of 10.” The compassionate care this comment reflects is a perfect example of the kind of high moral and ethical accountability our providers and staff should exhibit during every patient encounter.
Yesterday I watched as a noncommissioned officer stopped in the hallway to assist a woman who seemed to be lost. He was obviously in a hurry, but he still took the time to provide the woman with the assistance she needed. It only took about thirty seconds, but it was obvious that his consideration was appreciated. On another occasion I witnessed one of CRDAMC’s medical support professionals help a wounded Soldier who was unable to push his wife’s wheelchair due to his own injuries. The CRDAMC employee went out of her way to help the couple get back to their inpatient room before she returned to her own duties. No one asked her for assistance, but she saw patients in need and helped them because it was the right thing to do. Ultimately we must all recognize that we are accountable for ourselves, our actions and our inactions. Be proud of the things you have accomplished, but also look to your left and right. There is always room for improvement.
This blog completes my in-depth look at the CRDAMC values: honor, nurture, excellence, trust, empathy, accountability and mentorship (ONE TEAM). I have enjoyed sharing my thoughts on these values with you, and I encourage you to reflect upon them often. Let them shape your daily decisions and actions. Remember, hold fast to your ethical and moral principles, not because someone may be watching, but because it is the right thing to do. You can be a catalyst for change. You can improve your environment and the environment of those around you.