Developing Ethical Standards And Organizational Frameworks

Developing Ethical Standards and Organizational Frameworks for Healthcare Facilities

In preparation for a comprehensive healthcare organization plan, this assignment involves summarizing previous efforts including addressing employee resistance to change, developing an organizational chart, and crafting a mission and values statement for a healthcare facility. The focus is on describing the purpose and services offered by the facility, including staffing, departments, and operational scope. Additionally, the assignment requires the development of ethical standards tailored to the facility, research on existing corporate ethical standards, and how these standards can be communicated effectively during staff training or orientation. The organization structure outlined reflects a home health care business, with designated roles from the chief executive officer to various healthcare providers and administrative staff.

Paper For Above instruction

The foundation of a successful healthcare facility lies in a well-structured organizational framework combined with strong ethical standards and a clear mission. Previous planning efforts, such as addressing employee resistance to change, developing organizational charts, and establishing a mission and values statement, form the backbone of an effective healthcare business. This paper summarizes those efforts and elaborates on essential ethical standards and training strategies that will underpin the operation of a home health care facility.

Summary of Organizational Planning and Mission Development

In the initial phase, resistance to change among staff was identified as a significant challenge. Strategies such as open communication, staff involvement in decision-making, and transparent feedback mechanisms were employed to facilitate acceptance of organizational changes (Kotter, 1996). These efforts fostered a culture of trust and adaptability essential for healthcare settings. Concurrently, an organizational chart was crafted to define reporting relationships and departmental responsibilities within the facility, which includes roles from executive leadership to direct patient care providers.

The mission and values statement articulates the core purpose and guiding principles of the healthcare facility. For a home health care organization, the mission centers on delivering compassionate, patient-centered care that promotes independence and well-being in the comfort of patients’ homes. Core values such as integrity, compassion, respect, accountability, and excellence inform every interaction and decision (James & Busher, 2020). This aligns with the overarching goal of improving quality of life for individuals receiving care, emphasizing personalized, holistic approaches tailored to each patient's unique needs.

The services provided by the facility encompass skilled nursing, physical therapy, social work, and health education, delivered through a team of RNs, LPNs, home health aides, social workers, and administrative staff. The facility's size, staffing levels, and departmental divisions are designed to ensure comprehensive, timely, and effective care, with a focus on serving the community's most vulnerable populations.

Development of Ethical Standards

Building on the organizational foundation, establishing a set of ethical standards is vital to maintaining professional integrity, legal compliance, and patient trust. Five core ethical standards proposed for this home health care facility include:

1. Prioritizing patient autonomy and informed consent in all care decisions.
2. Ensuring confidentiality and privacy of patient information in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
3. Providing equitable access to care regardless of socioeconomic or demographic factors.
4. Maintaining honesty and transparency in billing, documentation, and communication.
5. Promoting a culture of respect and non-discrimination among staff and patients.

These standards are developed in alignment with ethical principles outlined by Beauchamp and Childress (2019) and are tailored to fit the unique challenges faced in home health care settings.

Research on Corporate Ethical Standards and Application

To enhance these standards, two companies renowned for their ethical practices—Johnson & Johnson and Google—serve as benchmarks. Johnson & Johnson integrates their credo into daily operations, emphasizing responsibility to patients, employees, communities, and shareholders (Chatterjee & Hambrick, 2019). Similarly, Google advocates for transparency, data privacy, and responsible AI development, creating a culture rooted in ethical principles (Davis, 2020). Drawing from these examples, the facility adopts standards that emphasize social responsibility, transparency, and accountability, fostering trust and ethical commitment among staff and patients.

During staff orientation and training, these standards are communicated through interactive workshops, scenarios, and role-playing exercises. Training sessions include case discussions on ethical dilemmas, emphasizing real-world application, and fostering ethical awareness. Regular refresher courses and ethical audits reinforce commitment and ensure compliance with standards (Lachman, 2018).

Organizational Structure and Leadership

The organizational structure for the home health care business comprises key leadership roles such as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Chief Physician Executive. The structure supports streamlined decision-making, operational oversight, and compliance with healthcare regulations (Schein, 2017). Supporting roles include office assistants, social workers, billing specialists, and licensed healthcare providers like RNs, LPNs, and CNAs, all working together to deliver coordinated care.

This hierarchical model ensures accountability, clarity of responsibilities, and efficient communication channels, which are essential for the dynamic environment of home health care. The leadership team focuses on strategic planning, quality improvement, staff development, and fostering an ethical culture grounded in the standards outlined above.

Conclusion

Establishing a successful home health care facility requires a comprehensive approach that integrates organizational planning, ethical standards, and staff training. By addressing resistance to change, defining clear mission and values, and developing targeted ethical standards inspired by leading organizations, the facility can ensure a patient-centered, ethical, and effective operation. Continued emphasis on staff education, transparency, and accountability will sustain high-quality care and foster trust within the community.

References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Chatterjee, S., & Hambrick, D. C. (2019). Johnson & Johnson: Credo in Action. Harvard Business School Publishing.
• Davis, J. (2020). Ethical AI and Data Privacy in Tech Companies. Journal of Business Ethics, 162(2), 345-358.
• James, R., & Busher, H. (2020). Values and Ethical Frameworks in Healthcare. Wiley-Blackwell.
• Kotter, J. P. (1996). Leading Change. Harvard Business Review Press.
• Lachman, V. D. (2018). Ethical Decision-Making in Healthcare. Springer Publishing.
• Schein, E. H. (2017). Organizational Culture and Leadership. Jossey-Bass.
• Smith, J., & Lee, A. (2021). Building Ethical Healthcare Organizations. Health Care Management Review, 46(1), 5-14.
• Williams, P., & Smith, R. (2019). Strategic Management in Healthcare: Developing a Culture of Integrity. Routledge.
• Youngblood, J. P. (2018). Implementing Ethical Standards in Healthcare Settings. Journal of Healthcare Management, 63(4), 273-284.