Promoting Professionalism: Addressing Behaviors that Undermine a Culture of Safety and Respect

According to research, the existence of unprofessional behavior is healthcare is common enough to warrant concern and the problems it creates severe enough to result in post-surgical complications, low staff morale, increased turnover and cost burdens. 

The ultimate goal is to reduce unprofessional behavior in the clinical setting.  To accomplish this goal, health professionals should develop the following competencies: 1) Recognize personal behaviors and self-regulate, and 2) Identify, refer, and/or manage colleagues who exhibit unprofessional behaviors

1. Relationships between behaviors that undermine a culture of safety and suboptimal outcomes
2. A method that may be used for identifying professionals with a pattern of behaviors that undermine a culture of safety
3. A range of behaviors that undermine a culture of safety and describe a "professional accountability pyramid"
4. An evidence-based approach for addressing behaviors that undermine a culture of safety
5. Three graduated levels of interventions for addressing behaviors that undermine a culture of safety
6. Pertinent legal issues that need to be considered in addressing behaviors that undermine a culture of safety