Evaluation Of A Business Code Of Ethics Analysis
Evaluation of a Business Code of Ethics
Willene Phelps
PHL/323
May 25, 2015
Instructor: Leo Stevens
Evaluation of a Business Code of Ethics
A code of ethics helps a business to establish basic expectations of what they expect of employees during business interactions with its customers. A code of ethics, while not required for businesses, is a guiding factor for those who choose to create one. This code of ethics may often blend or coincide with a mission and values statement, such as is the case with East Texas Medical Center Hospital in Athens, Texas.
East Texas Medical Center – Basic Information
East Texas Medical Center – Athens (ETMC-A) is a 127-bed acute care facility that is part of the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare …show more content…
System. ETMC-A provides the local community with a twenty-bed emergency room, two medical-surgical units totally one hundred beds, a ten-bed Intensive Care Unit, a seventeen-bed family birth center, and many outpatient services. Outpatient services include radiology (CT, MRI), GI Lab, Outpatient lab and transfusion services, cardiac catheter lab, Stress Lab, Physical Therapy and wound care, EEG’s, and Pulmonary Lab.
ETMC-A serves a tri-county area with the closest surrounding hospital approximately thirty miles away. The town is a small community classified as a retirement community, despite the average age of citizen ranging in their thirties to forties. Athens is a short drive to larger communities such as Tyler and the DFW Metroplex, making it a desired place to live and retire. The presence of at least four nursing homes and three assisted living facilities within city limits adds to the elderly population served by ETMC-A.
Mission Statement
The goal of ETMC-A is to be able to provide cutting edge care to the communities it serves. Success or failure measurements are the improvements made in the quality of health and life for the people within the communities. Critical success factors in this goal are excellent customer service and human resources, comprehensive service distribution, full systems orientation, strategic partnerships within the community, and superior financial performance (ETMC-ATHENS, 2014).
The desired performance achievement is to be the best health care provider in East Texas. This goal includes having a spirit of excellence ingrained in the care provided by the staff. The art and science of healthcare are constantly changing, maintaining a competitive and comprehensive system of care that exceeds the expectations of those serviced is the desired achievement.
Ethical System
The code of ethics at ETMC Athens is a combination of duty –driven and consequence- based systems, based on the definitions and examples in Trevino & Nelson, (2011). The goal is to protect the integrity of clinical decision making without regard to compensation practices, or financial risks shared among its leaders, managers, clinical staff, or licensed practitioners (ETMC-ATHENS, 2013). All employees of ETMC are expected to adhere to the code of ethics and associated standards within the code. Following the standards and values within the code of ethics, a desired overall spirit and culture will be instilled within the organizational family. The basis for deciding the type of ethical system used is the values and standards expected of all employees. Violation of the code of ethics or practice standards constitutes unethical conduct and is grounds for disciplinary action.
As a health care facility the first value stressed is a total patient focus. The expectation is to provide compassionate care with a focus on personal attention, respect, and encouragement. Staff will do what is measured, not what is expected (Raso, 2015) so this value is correlated or measured through patient satisfaction scores and employee recognition from patients, families, and other team members. Integrity is a key part of the total patient focus. To maintain a high level of integrity, one must be beyond reproach in the manner in which she provides care. Honesty and integrity coincide; integrity is not possible without honesty. The third value is leadership. Leadership in this setting does not mean an individual or a single role; it means to provide cutting edge and innovative care to meet the future needs of the communities served. Stewardship is part of leadership in that the hospital is protecting, fostering, and managing the health resources available to the community. ETMC’s not-for-profit organizational status further facilitates this ability to serve. The last, but not least, value listed within the code of ethics is that of teamwork. Teamwork is the backbone of a productive and successful organization. With effective teamwork, common goals are more easily achieved. Teamwork must come from all levels, leadership to clinical staff. Recognition of individual strengths and successes of all levels of employees helps to foster the strength of the team.
The code of ethics is used in various ways and strategies within the hospital. The core values of total patient focus, integrity, leadership, stewardship, and teamwork are at the forefront of employee interactions. The employee entrance contains decorative wall hangings that remind staff of the ethical values listed above. Part of the total patient focus is the requirement to provide a high quality of care, within the employee’s scope of practice, to all patients regardless of differences.
The code of ethics is in evidence in the hiring practice. Potential employees are interviewed following all state and federal requirements (discriminatory regulations). The interview process includes a tiered process of interviews with management, nurses, and aides. This process provides input and shared decision-making regarding who will join the team. It also gives the current employees a vested interest in the success of the new employee (Winslow, Hougan, DeGuzman, & Black, 2015).
For employees, this means there is a focus on ensuring new employees receives a thorough orientation. The orientation includes a strong emphasis on customer service and satisfaction. The human resource department actively participates in the recruitment, hiring, orientation, and retention of employees. The role of the human resource department is that of an employee advocate and resource for information. Human resources also act as a mediator between clinical staff and leadership when required.
Managers of all levels are held to the same standard as clinical staff. Although the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is not expected to provide patient care, it is outside of his scope of practice, he is required to help. An example is the case of an external disaster such as the evacuations during Hurricane Katrina. The CEO assisted in the process of organizing the medical aide center, delivering supplies and any other task that was necessary during this event. The CEO corresponded with the Board of Directors to inform them of the emergency and the hospitals part in the response plan.
The Board of Directors role is to manage a healthy balance between maintaining fiscal responsibility, patient satisfaction, and regulatory issues. With the example of Hurricane Katrina, the Board of Directors worked with other businesses in a partnership to ensure the needed tools and supplies were available. These partnerships within the community were not only with other medical care providers but with grocery stores, restaurants, transportation services, and many others.
Modify or Not to Modify The current code of ethics encompasses the key strategies for success within a healthcare environment.
Although there is mention of federal regulatory standards regarding discriminatory practices, it does not go into great detail. Hospital orientation covers the details in depth. All new staff, all departments, are required to attend hospital orientation prior to starting to work, ensuring everyone receives the same message. The message is clear; a higher standard is not only expected but a requirement. The organizational culture has a good effect concerning the acceptance of the code of ethics. Within the health care industry, the common and primary goal is to do no harm. The adherence to ETMC Athens code of ethics and values builds a solid basis for a competent and caring environment. When visitors enter the facility, there are often comments about the friendly and helpful environment, also to the beauty of the building. When staff has pride in their place of employment and themselves, it shows.
Summary of the Results for the Systematic Analysis / Inquiry of Code of …show more content…
Ethics The code of ethics for ETMC Athens is comprehensive regarding who must adhere to the expectations set forth. The stakeholders include every person employed. The employees range from the leadership of all levels, clinical staff to support staff such as engineering. The most common ethical dilemma in this environment is when the nurse questions a physician order. Leadership not only supports but encourages this practice because it is best practice and is in the best interest of the patient, the clinical and medical staff.
Conclusion
Integrity is a strong focus on the code of ethics at ETMC Athens. This characteristic is a required trait in leaders and especially for those in healthcare (Ridge, 2015). When integrity is ingrained within the ethical framework of a business, the remaining key components are easier to ensure. The leaders within the ETMC organization have a working code of ethics that meets the need of not only the hospital, but that of the communities it serves.
References
ETMC-ATHENS.
(2014). Plan for Patient Care Services Policy. Retrieved on May 19, 2015 from https://etmcathens.policymedical.net/policymed/search/doSearch#
ETMC-ATHENS. (2013). Code of Ethics Policy. Retrieved on May 19, 2015 from https://etmcathens.policymedical.net/policymed/search/doSearch#
Raso, R. (2015, March). If you can’t measure it… Nursing Management, 46(3), 6.
Ridge, R. A. (2015, April). Putting the I in integrity. Nursing Management, 46(4), 52-54.
Treviño, L. K., and Nelson, K. A.(2011). Managing business ethics:Straight talk about how to do it right (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
University of Phoenix. (2013). Ethical Systems Table. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, PHL323 - Ethics in Management website.
University of Phoenix. (2013). Introduction to Ethics for University of Phoenix Students . Retrieved May 11, 2015, from University of Phoenix, PHL323 website.
Winslow, S., Hougan, A., DeGuzman, P., & Black, A. (2015, April). The voice of the nurse… Nursing Management, 46(4),
46-51.
Willene Phelps
PHL/323
May 25, 2015
Instructor: Leo Stevens
Evaluation of a Business Code of Ethics
A code of ethics helps a business to establish basic expectations of what they expect of employees during business interactions with its customers. A code of ethics, while not required for businesses, is a guiding factor for those who choose to create one. This code of ethics may often blend or coincide with a mission and values statement, such as is the case with East Texas Medical Center Hospital in Athens, Texas.
East Texas Medical Center – Basic Information
East Texas Medical Center – Athens (ETMC-A) is a 127-bed acute care facility that is part of the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare …show more content…
System. ETMC-A provides the local community with a twenty-bed emergency room, two medical-surgical units totally one hundred beds, a ten-bed Intensive Care Unit, a seventeen-bed family birth center, and many outpatient services. Outpatient services include radiology (CT, MRI), GI Lab, Outpatient lab and transfusion services, cardiac catheter lab, Stress Lab, Physical Therapy and wound care, EEG’s, and Pulmonary Lab.
ETMC-A serves a tri-county area with the closest surrounding hospital approximately thirty miles away. The town is a small community classified as a retirement community, despite the average age of citizen ranging in their thirties to forties. Athens is a short drive to larger communities such as Tyler and the DFW Metroplex, making it a desired place to live and retire. The presence of at least four nursing homes and three assisted living facilities within city limits adds to the elderly population served by ETMC-A.
Mission Statement
The goal of ETMC-A is to be able to provide cutting edge care to the communities it serves. Success or failure measurements are the improvements made in the quality of health and life for the people within the communities. Critical success factors in this goal are excellent customer service and human resources, comprehensive service distribution, full systems orientation, strategic partnerships within the community, and superior financial performance (ETMC-ATHENS, 2014).
The desired performance achievement is to be the best health care provider in East Texas. This goal includes having a spirit of excellence ingrained in the care provided by the staff. The art and science of healthcare are constantly changing, maintaining a competitive and comprehensive system of care that exceeds the expectations of those serviced is the desired achievement.
Ethical System
The code of ethics at ETMC Athens is a combination of duty –driven and consequence- based systems, based on the definitions and examples in Trevino & Nelson, (2011). The goal is to protect the integrity of clinical decision making without regard to compensation practices, or financial risks shared among its leaders, managers, clinical staff, or licensed practitioners (ETMC-ATHENS, 2013). All employees of ETMC are expected to adhere to the code of ethics and associated standards within the code. Following the standards and values within the code of ethics, a desired overall spirit and culture will be instilled within the organizational family. The basis for deciding the type of ethical system used is the values and standards expected of all employees. Violation of the code of ethics or practice standards constitutes unethical conduct and is grounds for disciplinary action.
As a health care facility the first value stressed is a total patient focus. The expectation is to provide compassionate care with a focus on personal attention, respect, and encouragement. Staff will do what is measured, not what is expected (Raso, 2015) so this value is correlated or measured through patient satisfaction scores and employee recognition from patients, families, and other team members. Integrity is a key part of the total patient focus. To maintain a high level of integrity, one must be beyond reproach in the manner in which she provides care. Honesty and integrity coincide; integrity is not possible without honesty. The third value is leadership. Leadership in this setting does not mean an individual or a single role; it means to provide cutting edge and innovative care to meet the future needs of the communities served. Stewardship is part of leadership in that the hospital is protecting, fostering, and managing the health resources available to the community. ETMC’s not-for-profit organizational status further facilitates this ability to serve. The last, but not least, value listed within the code of ethics is that of teamwork. Teamwork is the backbone of a productive and successful organization. With effective teamwork, common goals are more easily achieved. Teamwork must come from all levels, leadership to clinical staff. Recognition of individual strengths and successes of all levels of employees helps to foster the strength of the team.
The code of ethics is used in various ways and strategies within the hospital. The core values of total patient focus, integrity, leadership, stewardship, and teamwork are at the forefront of employee interactions. The employee entrance contains decorative wall hangings that remind staff of the ethical values listed above. Part of the total patient focus is the requirement to provide a high quality of care, within the employee’s scope of practice, to all patients regardless of differences.
The code of ethics is in evidence in the hiring practice. Potential employees are interviewed following all state and federal requirements (discriminatory regulations). The interview process includes a tiered process of interviews with management, nurses, and aides. This process provides input and shared decision-making regarding who will join the team. It also gives the current employees a vested interest in the success of the new employee (Winslow, Hougan, DeGuzman, & Black, 2015).
For employees, this means there is a focus on ensuring new employees receives a thorough orientation. The orientation includes a strong emphasis on customer service and satisfaction. The human resource department actively participates in the recruitment, hiring, orientation, and retention of employees. The role of the human resource department is that of an employee advocate and resource for information. Human resources also act as a mediator between clinical staff and leadership when required.
Managers of all levels are held to the same standard as clinical staff. Although the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is not expected to provide patient care, it is outside of his scope of practice, he is required to help. An example is the case of an external disaster such as the evacuations during Hurricane Katrina. The CEO assisted in the process of organizing the medical aide center, delivering supplies and any other task that was necessary during this event. The CEO corresponded with the Board of Directors to inform them of the emergency and the hospitals part in the response plan.
The Board of Directors role is to manage a healthy balance between maintaining fiscal responsibility, patient satisfaction, and regulatory issues. With the example of Hurricane Katrina, the Board of Directors worked with other businesses in a partnership to ensure the needed tools and supplies were available. These partnerships within the community were not only with other medical care providers but with grocery stores, restaurants, transportation services, and many others.
Modify or Not to Modify The current code of ethics encompasses the key strategies for success within a healthcare environment.
Although there is mention of federal regulatory standards regarding discriminatory practices, it does not go into great detail. Hospital orientation covers the details in depth. All new staff, all departments, are required to attend hospital orientation prior to starting to work, ensuring everyone receives the same message. The message is clear; a higher standard is not only expected but a requirement. The organizational culture has a good effect concerning the acceptance of the code of ethics. Within the health care industry, the common and primary goal is to do no harm. The adherence to ETMC Athens code of ethics and values builds a solid basis for a competent and caring environment. When visitors enter the facility, there are often comments about the friendly and helpful environment, also to the beauty of the building. When staff has pride in their place of employment and themselves, it shows.
Summary of the Results for the Systematic Analysis / Inquiry of Code of …show more content…
Ethics The code of ethics for ETMC Athens is comprehensive regarding who must adhere to the expectations set forth. The stakeholders include every person employed. The employees range from the leadership of all levels, clinical staff to support staff such as engineering. The most common ethical dilemma in this environment is when the nurse questions a physician order. Leadership not only supports but encourages this practice because it is best practice and is in the best interest of the patient, the clinical and medical staff.
Conclusion
Integrity is a strong focus on the code of ethics at ETMC Athens. This characteristic is a required trait in leaders and especially for those in healthcare (Ridge, 2015). When integrity is ingrained within the ethical framework of a business, the remaining key components are easier to ensure. The leaders within the ETMC organization have a working code of ethics that meets the need of not only the hospital, but that of the communities it serves.
References
ETMC-ATHENS.
(2014). Plan for Patient Care Services Policy. Retrieved on May 19, 2015 from https://etmcathens.policymedical.net/policymed/search/doSearch#
ETMC-ATHENS. (2013). Code of Ethics Policy. Retrieved on May 19, 2015 from https://etmcathens.policymedical.net/policymed/search/doSearch#
Raso, R. (2015, March). If you can’t measure it… Nursing Management, 46(3), 6.
Ridge, R. A. (2015, April). Putting the I in integrity. Nursing Management, 46(4), 52-54.
Treviño, L. K., and Nelson, K. A.(2011). Managing business ethics:Straight talk about how to do it right (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
University of Phoenix. (2013). Ethical Systems Table. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, PHL323 - Ethics in Management website.
University of Phoenix. (2013). Introduction to Ethics for University of Phoenix Students . Retrieved May 11, 2015, from University of Phoenix, PHL323 website.
Winslow, S., Hougan, A., DeGuzman, P., & Black, A. (2015, April). The voice of the nurse… Nursing Management, 46(4),
46-51.