Patient Rights
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The Visiting Homemaker Service of Passaic County, Inc. (VHS, doing business as HomeCare
Options) was founded to deliver essential home and community care services of a preeminent
quality that improves the human condition for recipients and their families. In the
process of providing this care VHS seeks to establish and retain the highest possible
level of public confidence.
This Code of Ethics, adopted by the Board of Trustees on September 27, 1999, serves as a
statement to inform the general public and staff that VHS stands for integrity and ethical
standards, has established acceptable guidelines for ethical conduct, and advances notice
to government officials, payer, and referral sources that VHS is committed to abide by all
applicable laws and regulations.
Rights and Responsibilities
It is inherent in the declaration of this Code of Ethics that VHS pledges to protect and
preserve the rights of clients and staff, to deal with them in an honest and ethical
manner, and maintain confidentiality.
It is anticipated that observance of the rights and responsibilities will contribute to
more effective care and greater satisfaction for the recipient as well as the agency. The
rights will be respected by all agency personnel and integrated into all programs. A copy
of these rights and responsibilities will be given to each client upon admission and to
the staff upon hire.
Relations with Outside Organizations
VHS shall honestly and conscientiously cooperate in providing information about referrals
and shall work together with other organizations to assure comprehensive services to
recipients and their families.
VHS shall participate in public dialogue and advocate solutions with other organizations
that will improve the health status of the community and promote quality care.
VHS will cooperate with all reasonable and lawful demands made by governmental
investigations or law enforcement agents. VHS shall prevent written, copied or electronic
documentation from being altered or destroyed in anticipation of a request or as a result
of a request for those documents by any authorized, lawful investigation.
Fiscal Responsibilities
VHS will ensure that:
- All billed services are consistent with the amount and type of care provided and are
compliant with program regulations and guidelines.
- The cost per hour, visit or day includes only legitimate expenses and reasonable
earnings.
- No kickbacks or payoffs are received or paid.
- All accounts receivable are handled according to agency policy.
- Pay scales are consistent with the area and discipline and compensation include only
those travel and business expenses that are within a reasonable norm.
VHS shall maintain accounting records according to acceptable accounting principles and
practices and have the agency financial records audited annually by an independent CPA
firm.
Relations With The Public
VHS will be truthful in all forms of professional and agency communication, and avoid
disseminating information that is false, misleading, or deceptive. VHS shall ensure that
all oral and written statements will fairly represent service, benefits, cost, and agency
capabilities. This shall include information descriptive of home care in general, as well
as agency specific information.
VHS shall work to ensure that all people have reasonable access to care.
Personnel
VHS will be an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable laws, rules, and
regulations. This means that VHS shall hire qualified employees and utilize them at the
level of their competency. The agency shall hire adequate staff to meet the needs of the
recipient of care. All staff are oriented to the agency Code of Ethics.
VHS shall have written personnel policies and make them available to all employees that
shall include an ongoing evaluation process, supervision, continuing education for all
employees, and other conditions of employment.
VHS management shall lead the organization in the use and improvement of standards of
management and sound business practices. This means it must uphold the values, ethics, and
mission of the agency and conduct itself professionally with honesty, integrity, respect,
fairness, and good faith in a manner that will reflect upon VHS consistent with this Code
of Ethics.
Approved by BoT: 9/27/99
Approved by Ethics Committee 9/27/99
