ETHICS & CONDUCT

Purpose — The Board of Trustees of Helen Newberry Joy Hospital & Healthcare Center (HNJH), in accordance with its mission and vision, has established this statement of organizational ethics in recognition of the Hospital's responsibility to the patients (patients/residents), staff, physicians and communities we serve. It is the responsibility of every member of HNJH community (Board of Trustees, Administration, medical staff and employees - including volunteers and contracted employees) to act in a manner that is consistent with this organizational statement and supporting policies.

We are dedicated to the principle that all patients/residents, employees, physicians and visitors deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and courtesy. The organization will adhere to these principles, as appropriate, through the development of additional policy statements addressing the following:

A. We will fairly and accurately represent ourselves and our capabilities;

B. We will provide services only to those patients/residents we can safely care for within the organization;

C. We will provide services to meet the identified needs of our patients/residents and will not impose services which are unnecessary, ineffective or unwanted by patient or family;

D. We will adhere to a uniform standard of care throughout the organization.

In all of the various settings in which HNJH provides patient services, a well designed plan of care based upon identified health care needs of the patient will be followed without regard to his or her ability to pay. The plan of care will also project the integrity of clinical decision making regardless of how HNJH compensates or shares it=s financial risk with it=s leaders, managers, clinical staff and licensed independent practitioners. Policies addressing this information are available upon request to all patients/residents, clinical staff, licensed independent practitioners and hospital personnel.

Admitting — All patients/residents can expect reasonable access to care. No patient will be denied treatment based on race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, or financial status. Individuals in need of care shall have access to all services and/or programs of HNJH.

Discharge — Keeping in mind the increased acuity of our patients/residents, it is the policy of HNJH to begin discharge planning upon admission to the Hospital and will be finalized prior to discharge.

Transfer — A patient's placement is determined by the type and severity of the illness/disease and the care required for proper treatment. A patient can request a transfer to a different room if the patient is disturbed by others and another room equally suitable for the patient's care is available. When HNJH is not able to meet the patient's need for care, arrangements will be made for the patient to be transferred to another health care facility that can provide the needed care to the patient. However, the patient and his/her attending physician must be agreeable to the transfer and the accepting facility and physician must agree also.

Respect for the Patient — In accordance with Hospital Policy 1002 (Patients Rights & Responsibilities), we will treat all patients with dignity, respect, and courtesy. Patients and/or their designated representative will be involved in decisions regarding the care that we deliver to the furthest extent possible. We will inform patients about the therapeutic alternatives and the risks associated with their care as appropriate including unanticipated outcomes. We will seek to understand and respect their objectives for care in a manner that gives attention to their background, culture, religion and heritage. The patients are entitled to be free from mental and physical abuse. The Hospital supports the patients right to access protective services which may include guardianship and advocacy services, conservatorship and child or adult protective services in accordance with policy 1002.

Resolution of Conflicts — HNJH will seek to resolve all conflicts fairly and objectively whether the conflict is between the Board of Trustees, members of Administration, medical staff, employees, or between patient care givers and the patient (policy 1105). In cases where agreement cannot be achieved, it is the policy of this hospital to invoke the ethics mechanism which may include, but not be limited to, the Patient Advocate, Director of Quality Improvement/Risk Management, the CEO or his designee and/or Chief of Staff and/or a designee, to oversee resolution of the conflict. Other staff and second opinions will be requested as needed to achieve agreement. Utilization of hospital legal counsel will be employed as necessary for resolution.

Recognition of Potential Conflicts of Interest — We recognize that the potential for conflict of interest exists for decision makers at all levels within HNJH. This includes members of the Board of Trustees, Administration, the medical staff, and employees. The Board of Trustees, Administration, and the medical staff will review potential conflicts (when appropriate) and take appropriate action. In th event a potential conflict of interest has a direct implication for patient care, the institution may institute its ethics mechanism to assist in the resolution of this issue.

Underlying each of the above principles is HNJH's commitment to act with integrity in all of our activities, and to treat the organization's employees, patients, physicians and all others we serve with utmost respect and fairness.

Fair Billing Practices — HNJH and its medical staff will bill patients or third parties only if services are actually provided to patients, and will assist patients seeking to understand the cost related to their care. We will attempt to resolve questions and objections to the satisfaction of the patient, while considering the institution=s best interest as well.

Marketing — All HNJH materials, inclusive of advertising brochures, pamphlets, community reports and the like, accurately reflect the current services provided. All publications and advertising materials are supportive of the mission and vision of HNJH.

Confidentiality — HNJH recognized the need to maintain patient and other information in a confidential manner. Patient information will not be shared in an unauthorized manner, and sensitive information concerning personnel and management issues will be maintained in the strictest confidence, and utilized only by those individuals authorized to review and act upon such information.

Underlying each of the above principles is HNJH's commitment to act with integrity in all of our activities, and to treat the organization's patients, employees, physicians, and all others we service with utmost respect and fairness.

For further references, the following are some of the policies available upon request to all patients and personnel: