If you witness unethical conduct by a colleague, what action is appropriate?

• A. Report the incident to a supervisor
• B. Confront the colleague publicly
• C. Ignore the situation
• D. Document privately and do nothing

Answer: (A)

When you witness unethical conduct, your responsibility is to escalate the concern through the proper channels so it can be reviewed and addressed. Reporting the incident to a supervisor or appropriate authority within the organization ensures there is a formal investigation, protects patient safety, and upholds professional standards. It also provides a clear, documented path for accountability and any necessary corrective action, while allowing protections under workplace policies.

Confronting the colleague publicly undermines professionalism, can escalate tension, and may jeopardize patient safety without giving the issue a fair, documented review. Ignoring the situation or merely documenting privately and doing nothing leaves the behavior unchecked and potential harm unaddressed, which is not acceptable in a healthcare setting.