Uw Hospital: Policy Advocacy In Action

UW Medicine has a comprehensive set of policies and guidelines that govern the professional conduct of its healthcare professionals, staff, and patients. These policies outline the expectations for professionalism, respect, inclusivity, and ethical behaviour within the UW Medicine community. The policies are designed to ensure that patients and their families are aware of their rights and are treated with dignity and respect, with a focus on meeting their needs for support and comfort. Additionally, UW Medicine is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity and encourages the interruption of unprofessional behaviours. The policies are regularly reviewed and updated by various committees and stakeholders to ensure their relevance and effectiveness in promoting a positive and professional culture within the organisation.

UW Medicine complies with Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate

The policy document also emphasises the importance of recognising and interrupting unprofessional behaviours, holding community members accountable when they fall short of these goals. Leaders within the UW Medicine community are expected to model, promote, and advocate for a strong culture of professionalism, being mindful of their obligation to those who may feel unsafe or unable to speak up. This inclusive culture is intended to honour the diversity of the community and empower all members to contribute to a positive environment.

UW Medicine's commitment to non-discrimination and professionalism extends beyond its immediate community. In accordance with RCW 39.34, Harborview Medical Center, which is part of UW Medicine, has entered into interlocal agreements with other public agencies. These agreements allow for the cooperative sharing of resources and mutual benefit, demonstrating UW Medicine's engagement with external organisations while upholding its values.

Additionally, UW Medicine recognises the impact of patients' support systems, including families and friends, on their response to health and illness. As such, they encourage and promote frequent patient and family contacts, aiming to meet the needs of patients and their families for support, comfort, and care. This commitment is reflected in their family and visitor guidelines, which are addressed in the COVID-19 Visitor Policy for hospitals and clinics.

UW Medicine promotes a respectful, inclusive, and ethical environment

UW Medicine is committed to promoting a respectful, inclusive, and ethical environment. This commitment is reflected in its policies and practices, which aim to create a culture that values diversity, equity, and professionalism.

In terms of respect, UW Medicine prioritizes the dignity and humanity of all members of its community, including patients and their families. They recognize the impact of family support on patients' health and encourage frequent patient-family contact. UW Medicine also emphasizes the importance of professionalism in education and administration. This includes fostering an inclusive environment that respects diverse experiences, perspectives, and cultures, as well as demonstrating excellence, equity, respect, integrity, compassion, and accountability in all endeavors.

To promote inclusion, UW Medicine actively works towards creating an environment that honors the diversity of its community. They encourage collaboration and the recognition of unprofessional behaviors, holding their members accountable. Additionally, they value the diversity of students, staff, and faculty, believing it to be fundamental to their success. Admissions aim to select an inclusive student body from a variety of backgrounds to enrich classroom discussions and better serve the diverse health needs of all communities.

UW Medicine also prioritizes ethics in decision-making and relationships, striving to ensure decisions are free of bias or influence. They have multiple ethics policies and procedures in place, including compliance with federal and state laws, to promote ethical conduct and avoid conflicts of interest. The Washington State Ethics in Public Service Act, for example, applies to all UW Medicine workforce members, obligating them to uphold public trust and avoid conflicts of interest.

Overall, UW Medicine's commitment to a respectful, inclusive, and ethical environment is evident in its policies, practices, and values. By prioritizing these principles, they strive to create a culture that upholds the dignity and value of all individuals within their community.

UW Medicine defines professionalism and sets expectations for appropriate conduct

UW Medicine has a comprehensive policy on professional conduct that defines professionalism and sets expectations for appropriate behaviour across its nearly 30,000-strong community of faculty, staff, trainees, and students. This policy, which was first implemented in 2009, has been revised several times with input from a diverse range of stakeholders, including nursing leadership, committees on minority faculty advancement, and human resources. The most recent revision was in the fall of 2021.

The policy promotes a respectful, inclusive, and ethical environment for healthcare professionals, staff, and patients. It emphasises the importance of working cooperatively with respect and empathy, recognising the complexity of varying perspectives and priorities. UW Medicine is committed to actively creating an inclusive environment that honours the diversity of its community and empowers all members to recognise and interrupt unprofessional behaviours. Leaders within the community are expected to model, promote, and advocate for professionalism, being mindful of their obligation to those who may feel unsafe or unable to speak up.

For hospitals and clinics within the UW Medicine network, the policy defines "professionalism" and sets expectations for appropriate conduct. Desirable behaviour is characterised by professional conduct, while disruptive behaviour refers to unprofessional conduct as described in the document. These local environments may have additional specific policies that further define and implement these principles.

UW Medicine also has policies in place to ensure that patients and their families are aware of their rights and responsibilities, providing information that allows them to protect their dignity and independence. This includes non-discrimination policies, complying with applicable Federal civil rights laws, and addressing patient/family contacts and support systems, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

UW Medicine ensures patients and families are aware of their rights and responsibilities

UW Medicine is committed to ensuring that patients and their families are aware of their rights and responsibilities. This includes providing information that will help protect their dignity and independence. These rights and responsibilities are addressed for the UW Medical Center, UW Medicine Primary Care, and Harborview Medical Center.

Harborview Medical Center, for instance, respects the rights of all patients and ensures that they are aware of their role in their care as part of the healthcare team. Patients, their families, registered domestic partners, or legally authorized surrogate decision-makers can access a complete copy of the Harborview Patient Rights and Responsibilities through their healthcare team, the Resource Center, or the Admitting Department. Interpreter services are also available for those who need them.

UW Medicine encourages patient/family contacts and promotes their presence as much as possible, recognizing the significant impact of support systems on the response to health and illness. Their goal is to provide support, comfort, and care when patients' loved ones are most desired. During the COVID-19 pandemic, family and visitor guidelines were implemented to balance patient support with safety considerations.

UW Medicine also provides clear channels for patients and their families to voice concerns or complaints. They are encouraged to report any issues to the staff or manager at the point of care or service for prompt resolution. Additionally, complaints can be directed to the Washington State Department of Health and The Joint Commission if necessary.

UW Medicine works with other public agencies to share resources and benefit the community

UW Medicine has demonstrated its commitment to working with other public agencies by sharing resources and benefiting the community. In alignment with RCW 39.34, Harborview Medical Center, affiliated with UW Medicine, has a history of executing interlocal agreements with various public agencies. These agreements exemplify a cooperative spirit and mutual benefit.

UW Medicine's Policy on Professional Conduct is a testament to their dedication to creating a respectful, inclusive, and ethical environment for patients, staff, and the community. This policy, last revised in 2021, was shaped by a diverse range of stakeholders, including nursing leadership, committees on minority faculty advancement, and human resources professionals. It emphasizes the expectation for all members to work collaboratively with respect and empathy, recognizing the complexity of varying perspectives.

The policy also holds leaders accountable for fostering a strong culture of professionalism, especially for those who may feel vulnerable or unable to speak up. This unified set of principles guides the conduct of nearly 30,000 individuals across the UW Medicine community, spanning faculty, staff, trainees, and students. Local environments, such as hospitals and clinics, are encouraged to build upon these principles with additional specific policies tailored to their unique contexts.

UW Medicine's commitment to collaboration and resource sharing extends beyond internal policies. Their engagement with other public agencies demonstrates a recognition of the mutual benefits that can be achieved through cooperative agreements. By working together and leveraging shared resources, UW Medicine contributes to the betterment of the community it serves. This collaborative approach ensures that UW Medicine remains connected to the community's needs and empowers them to make a positive impact.

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