How we treat each other matters. Our words and actions send a powerful message to those we come in contact with every day. The UPMC Code of Conduct, newly revised in August, underscores the importance of ensuring that those words and actions demonstrate honesty, fairness, respect, and dignity to each person we meet on and off the job. The revised Code of Conduct, which is posted on Infonet and UPMC’s public website, contains a set of guidelines that serve as examples of acceptable behavior. These guidelines include:

adhering to laws, regulations, standards, and policies that guide UPMC protocol, procedures, operations, and activities
refraining from using profanity or offensive language
not disrupting the work environment, or interfering with others’ work

“The Code of Conduct was previously part of the UPMC Compliance Program Policy and now is a stand-alone policy. Guidance on UPMC’s policies was always part of the workplace ethics book,” says Linn Swanson, UPMC’s chief audit and compliance officer.

“The way we conduct ourselves impacts our day-to-day work environment,” she explains. “Holding ourselves to the most professional standards of conduct is of vital importance.”

For those at our hospitals and health care facilities, that means keeping the focus on providing compassionate, high-quality care to all patients and their families. “It is critically important that the manner in which we conduct our day-to-day relations with patients and their families — and our interactions with each other — reflects the highest standard of care for our patients,” says Edward McGinley, vice president of Employee Relations.

If you don’t think that you can make a difference in establishing a respectful, professional workplace, Ms. Swanson suggests that you think again. She notes, “Each individual’s actions help set the tone for the entire organization.”

How to find the policy

New UPMC employees can find the Code of Conduct in the “Welcome to Your Career” manual they received at employee orientation. To locate the Code of Conduct website on Infonet visit: http://humanresources.infonet.upmc.com/CodeOfConduct. To read the policy, you also may visit http://policymanuals.infonet.upmc.com; select Systemwide, Ethics and Compliance, and then click Code of Conduct.

Friday, Sept. 4, 2009 Volume 20, No. 11 Download a PDF of this issue
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Additional Articles Classes begin for midlevel providers UPMC honors ACES National City switches to First Niagara G-20 updates Be sure to correctly scan medical records Get ready for the flu Benefits of the UPMC Health Plan More opportunity to receive Healthy Step points Earn Healthy Step points while helping the community YMCA and UPMC begin More Energy program Understanding Medicare Full-time student verification due Focus on quality in Fiscal Year 2010 Pittsburgh Start! Heart Walk takes place in October Hispanic Heritage Month Campus-specific news in Inside Extra	A code to work by UPMC’s revised Code of Conduct How we treat each other matters. Our words and actions send a powerful message to those we come in contact with every day. The UPMC Code of Conduct, newly revised in August, underscores the importance of ensuring that those words and actions demonstrate honesty, fairness, respect, and dignity to each person we meet on and off the job. The revised Code of Conduct, which is posted on Infonet and UPMC’s public website, contains a set of guidelines that serve as examples of acceptable behavior. These guidelines include: adhering to laws, regulations, standards, and policies that guide UPMC protocol, procedures, operations, and activities refraining from using profanity or offensive language not disrupting the work environment, or interfering with others’ work “The Code of Conduct was previously part of the UPMC Compliance Program Policy and now is a stand-alone policy. Guidance on UPMC’s policies was always part of the workplace ethics book,” says Linn Swanson, UPMC’s chief audit and compliance officer. “The way we conduct ourselves impacts our day-to-day work environment,” she explains. “Holding ourselves to the most professional standards of conduct is of vital importance.” For those at our hospitals and health care facilities, that means keeping the focus on providing compassionate, high-quality care to all patients and their families. “It is critically important that the manner in which we conduct our day-to-day relations with patients and their families — and our interactions with each other — reflects the highest standard of care for our patients,” says Edward McGinley, vice president of Employee Relations. If you don’t think that you can make a difference in establishing a respectful, professional workplace, Ms. Swanson suggests that you think again. She notes, “Each individual’s actions help set the tone for the entire organization.” How to find the policy New UPMC employees can find the Code of Conduct in the “Welcome to Your Career” manual they received at employee orientation. To locate the Code of Conduct website on Infonet visit: http://humanresources.infonet.upmc.com/CodeOfConduct. To read the policy, you also may visit http://policymanuals.infonet.upmc.com; select Systemwide, Ethics and Compliance, and then click Code of Conduct.