Code of Ethical Behavior
The Karuk Tribal Health and Human Services Program (KTHHSP) has established this statement of organizational ethics in recognition of the program’s staff, providers, and the community we serve. It is the responsibility of every member of the Karuk Tribal Health Board, administration, medical staff, and other staff to act in a manner that is consistent with this organizational statement and supporting policies. Our behavior will be guided by the following principles:
- Maintaining an organizational reputation that reflects credibility, honesty, morality, and ethics.
- That all patients, employees and visitors deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and courtesy
- That we will provide services to meet the identified needs of our patients, and will avoid providing services that are unnecessary or ineffective.
- That we will meet legal requirements for participation in Federal Health Care Programs, and will strive to prevent any likelihood of fraud, abuse or waste, and
- That we will adhere to a uniform standard of care throughout the organization.
- The organization will constantly strive to adhere to and expand on these principles.
Responsibilities of Our Leaders
Leaders are expected to be role models and observe approved policies and procedures. They shall ensure that employees receive the proper training and be available to clarify any questions regarding regulations, laws, this code or policies and procedures.
Leaders shall encourage everyone to express their ethical concerns, and to be fair and equal when discipline is required as a method of enforcing compliance policies
Admissions and Referrals
In all patient care settings, we shall follow well-designed standards of care based upon the needs of the patient. We will serve only those patients for whom we can safely care within our organization. Even as we strive to provide care in a manner economical to patients and providers, we will provide care that meets our established standards of quality.
We will not turn away patients who are in need of our services based on their ability to pay or based upon any other factor that is substantially unrelated to patient care.
We will provide care appropriate to the patient’s needs and of consistent quality in all Tribal clinics.
Marketing
We will fairly and accurately represent our capabilities and ourselves.
Respect for the Patient
We will treat patients with dignity, respect, and courtesy. To the extent practical and possible, patients (or their significant others) will be involved in decisions regarding the care that we deliver to the extent that is practical and possible. We will inform patients about the therapeutic alternatives and risks associated with care they are offered. We will continually seek to understand and respect their objectives for care. Patients have a right to be informed of the price of care that they are about to receive.
In all circumstances, we will attempt to treat patients in a manner appropriate to their background, culture, religion, and heritage.
Resolution of Conflicts in Patient Care Decisions
We recognize that from time to time conflicts will arise among those who participate in clinic and patient care decisions. Whether this conflict is between administrative staff, employees, or the Karuk Council, or between patient care givers and the patient, we will seek to resolve all conflicts fairly and objectively. In cases where mutual satisfaction can not be achieved, an appeal to the Karuk Council may be made for a final decision.
Recognition of Potential Conflicts of Interest
We are aware that the potential for conflict of interest exists for decision-makers. It is our policy to request the disclosure of potential conflicts of interest so that appropriate action may be taken to ensure that such conflict does not inappropriately influence important decisions.
The Karuk Health Council is required to sign an annual Conflict of Interest Statement to assure that Council decisions are made in the best interest of the organization and the individuals served by it and to disclose potential conflicts related to decisions that arise during the course of a year.
Physicians and other staff members are encouraged to disclose financial Conflict of Interest.
The KTHHSP discloses that they negotiate preferred provider agreements with referral providers to obtain cost effective Contract Health Services, (CHS) and that no financial compensation is involved.
Fair Billing Practices
The KTHHSP will bill patients or third parties only for services and care provided to patients and will provide assistance to patients seeking to understand the cost relative to their care. We will attempt to resolve questions and objections to the satisfaction of the patient while considering the organization’s best interest as well.
Confidentiality
The organization recognizes the extreme need to maintain patient and other information in a confidential manner. As such, 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.
Integrity
Clinical decision making is based on patient need without regard to the organization’s ability to pay.
Our commitment is to act with integrity to meet each patient’s need.
The KTHHSP shall abide by the principle to treat employees, patients, physicians, and others we serve with utmost respect.
Government Inspections
Karuk Tribal Health and Human Services Program (and relevant Karuk Tribe) employees are instructed to fully cooperate with government inspections conducted at our facilities. We emphasize that no altering, destroying, or concealing of documents be performed nor any lying, misleading of any kind, or making false statements. This also includes delaying or obstructing information.
Leaders (Executive Director, Program Manager, Chief Fiscal Officer, and Compliance Officer) shall take the lead in the investigation and shall encourage employees to provide accurate and honest information.
Accreditation
We will be truthful and shall not deceive accrediting bodies or survey teams.