An operational model to achieve accountability for social work in health care

This paper describes a social work accountability structure developed and implemented at the Social Service Department of University of Minnesota Hospitals. The structure is founded in a framework derived from Management by Objectives and is composed of the following elements: (a) a transaction-based Management Information System; (b) service definitions developed by the Southern Regional Educational Board; (c) problem identification and record keeping with Problem-Oriented Medical Records; and (d) outcome evaluation through Goal Attainment Scaling. The purpose of the structure is to monitor and document departmental activities, providing feedback reports to staff, management reports to the director, and summary reports to hospital administration. The structure is not a response to a particular set of organizational problems, but an attempt to develop a coherent operational model to guide department development, remaining responsive to future as well as current needs.