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Integrity and Compliance - North Iowa

Kurt Harle
Local Integrity Official
641-428-7298

MercyOne Integrity and Compliance Program has established a system-wide Integrity and Compliance Program to assist all colleagues in understanding and following the laws, regulations, professional standards and ethical commitments which apply to our organization. 

Why is it called an Integrity & Compliance Program? 
MercyOne is not only concerned with compliance to laws and regulations but also with behaviors and actions consistent with our Mission and Values.

Compliance asks the question, "Can we do this?"
Integrity asks the question, "Should we do this?"

MercyOne’s Integrity & Compliance Program provides our colleagues, medical staff, vendors and other business partners with resources to assist them in meeting applicable legal, ethical and professional responsibilities in MercyOne. One key resource is MercyOne’s Code of Conduct, which describes expected behaviors and conduct of all who work in MercyOne and provides appropriate responses to common issues that are often encountered in the workplace. 

The Supplier Code of Conduct communicates the minimum standards by which all MercyOne vendors are expected to conduct themselves when providing goods or services to our system. Other key components include education and training, auditing and monitoring MercyOne business activities, and mechanisms which allow colleagues, medical staff, vendors and other business partners to raise issues and concerns so they may be dealt with timely and appropriately.

MercyOne Code of Conduct

 

Education and Training

All newly hired MercyOne colleagues are required to attend an orientation session on the Integrity & Compliance Program and are provided education on our Code of Conduct. The information is reinforced through ongoing education and training, particularly for colleagues whose positions require additional knowledge and understanding of the laws and regulations which apply to their work responsibilities. 

Reporting Issues and Concerns
Delivering health care services is an increasingly challenging task with complex and ever-changing rules and regulations which apply to our operations. As a result, there are times when the answer to a particular issue or situation may not be clear. MercyOne encourages colleagues, medical staff, vendors and other business partners as well as our patients to seek answers to their questions or concerns through various resources and options made available to assist them. 

The Integrity & Compliance Line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by an outside company on behalf of MercyOne. An online system is also available through the Integrity & Compliance Line for those who prefer to submit their concerns in writing. The hotline number and website information are available for colleagues, medical staff, vendors and other business partners as well as our patients. 

MercyOne Integrity and Compliance Officer

Our Integrity and Compliance Program is structured to encourage collaborative participation at all levels of our organization. The MercyOne Board of Directors has delegated program oversight responsibilities to the Integrity and Compliance Committee of the Board. A Corporate Integrity and Compliance Officer was appointed by the Board to oversee the development and implementation of the Program, including policies, procedures, standards and job aids designed to assist MercyOne and our colleagues and business partners in achieving compliance. Each MercyOne Network Participant and Network Managed Hospital also has an appointed Compliance and Privacy Official to oversee their programs.