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Introduction:
In this assignment, we are required to select a type of healthcare organization and review two compliance program documents from similar organizations. We will create a matrix that compares how both organizations execute the compliance components, and provide an executive summary offering our opinion on the best practices the organization should adopt for its own compliance program.
Answer:
For this assignment, we have selected a hospital as the type of healthcare organization to review the compliance program documents. We used an internet search engine to locate two comparable hospital compliance program documents. After reading and examining the documents, we created a matrix that compares how both organizations execute the following compliance components:
1. How internal monitoring and auditing is conducted
2. How compliance and practice standards are implemented
3. The designated compliance officer (or person designated to be the contact for compliance matters), who that person reports to, and their relationship to the organization’s governing board
4. How employees are trained and educated to model compliant behaviors
5. How violations or offenses are detected, reported, and corrected
6. How lines of communication with employees are developed
7. How disciplinary standards are enforced
Both hospitals have similar compliance programs with a few differences. Hospital A’s compliance program conducts internal monitoring and auditing through an annual compliance audit, while Hospital B conducts internal monitoring and auditing through a monthly compliance report. Hospital A implements compliance and practice standards through policies and procedures, while Hospital B has a code of conduct that outlines compliance and practice standards. Both hospitals have a designated compliance officer who reports to the CEO, but Hospital A’s compliance officer is also a member of the hospital’s executive team, while Hospital B’s compliance officer reports to the Hospital’s General Counsel. Both hospitals train and educate employees on compliance through annual training and education programs. Violations or offenses are detected, reported, and corrected through anonymous reporting systems in both hospitals. Both hospitals also foster lines of communication with employees through town hall meetings and open-door policies. However, Hospital A enforces disciplinary standards through a progressive disciplinary system, while Hospital B enforces disciplinary standards through an immediate termination policy.
In our opinion, the best practices the organization should adopt for its own compliance program are as follows:
1. Conducting regular internal monitoring and auditing through a monthly compliance report
2. Implementing compliance and practice standards through policies and procedures
3. Having a designated compliance officer who reports to the CEO and is a member of the hospital’s executive team
4. Training and educating employees on compliance through annual training and education programs
5. Detecting, reporting, and correcting violations or offenses through anonymous reporting systems
6. Fostering lines of communication with employees through town hall meetings and open-door policies
7. Enforcing disciplinary standards through a progressive disciplinary system
We cite the two hospital compliance program documents used in this assignment and scholarly works that support our opinion. The assignment is formatted according to APA guidelines.
