Conflict of Interest Policy
The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to meet the high ethical standards we set for ourselves and to protect the interests of the system. In regards to government programs, to protect the system from potential threats to compliance arising out of medical staff conflicts. This policy is for all members of the medical staff.
It is the policy of Wise Health System to address any conflict of interest arising that affects or potentially could affect patient safety or the quality of care, treatment, or services provided to patients of Wise Health System or any of its affiliates. This includes factors of compensation, conflicting interest and any person who has a direct or indirect financial interest or conflicting interest.
The full Conflict of Interest Policy is available on Wise Health System’s intranet.
Code of Conduct
We have a comprehensive value-based Ethics and Compliance program, which is a vital part of the way we conduct ourselves at Wise Health System. The program rests on our mission and values; it has become incorporated into our daily activities and supports our tradition of caring for our patients, our communities, and our employees. This Code of Conduct, which reflects our tradition of caring, provides guidance to ensure our work is done in an ethical and legal manner. It emphasizes the shared common values and culture which guide our actions. It also contains resources to help resolve any questions about appropriate conduct in the workplace.
The full Code of Conduct is available on Wise Health System’s intranet or a hard copy is available to you at the Human Resources office during normal business hours on Wise Health System’s West Campus.
EMTALA Compliance (Patient Transfer and Emergency Medical Treatment & Active Labor Act)
In compliance with EMTALA, any person who comes to Wise Health System requesting assistance for a potential emergency medical condition/emergency services will receive a medical screening performed by a qualified provider to determine whether an emergency condition will be treated and their condition stabilized, without regard to their ability to pay for services.
The departments and/or locations that conduct medical screenings include the Emergency Department and the Labor & Delivery department, both located on the East Campus.
The full EMTALA policy includes information on the following: A full list of terms definitions; When is a medical screening examination required; Where the medical screening examination may occur; Requirements of a medical screening; Who may perform the medical screening; Requirements for documentation of the medical screening; What EMTALA signage is required; When routine business office registration can take place; What to do if a patient seeking emergency care decides to leave; Patient transfers; Monitoring of EMTALA compliance; and Quality of care review.
The full EMTALA Compliance Policy is available on Wise Health System’s intranet.
HIPAA
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) established new standards for the confidentiality, security, and transmissibility of health care information. There are three types of standards created by HIPAA: privacy, security and administrative simplification (e.g. transaction standards). Taken together, these regulations have a major impact on the day to day functioning of the nation’s hospitals and affect virtually every department of every entity that provides or pays for health care.
Wise Health System and our associated health care practitioners have a legal duty to safeguard our patients’ protected health information, and we take this very seriously, through routine monitoring and continuing compliance training.
Wise Health System’s HIPAA Compliance Policies and Procedures are available on Wise Health System’s intranet.