Vision
Code of Ethics
Los Alamos Medical Center operates according to the following code of ethical behavior. Policies and procedures exist to support this code, and all employees are oriented to such upon their employment with LAMC. Vital components of LAMC's Code of Ethics include ethical operations and business practices, fair treatment of patients, integrity of staff, and the implementation of Totally Managing Care in an efficient and effective manner.
Los Alamos Medical Center will represent itself, its abilities and capabilities accurately and honestly to its service area. Truth in advertising and community partnership will govern all marketing activities.
Los Alamos Medical Center will strive to assess, understand and meet the needs of health care consumers, including purchasers, payors and users, in its service area. Necessity and effectiveness, along with patient satisfaction, will serve as criteria for services provided. In the provision of services, staff will constantly strive to positively answer the question, “Are we doing the right thing, the right way, for the right reason?” Patients in need of protective services are identified and assisted in accessing the appropriate intervention.
Los Alamos Medical Center maintains an Ethics Committee and a Public Relations and Grievance Committee, as well as a Performance Improvement Council. All are available to the public as avenues of consultation, process improvement, and review of concerns, which are to be addressed in a timely manner. Staff will endeavor to resolve all conflicts fairly and objectively, and to pursue mutually satisfactory resolution to all issues presented
Los Alamos Medical Center provides care to those seeking it without regard to race, color, creed, lifestyle preference, physical or mental disability, or ability to pay. Staff provides care to only those patients for whom we can safely care and will not turn away, for any reason unrelated to patient care, patients who are in need of services. Cost, Quality and Service are the criteria by which care is delivered, in accordance with accepted standards of practice. Patients are admitted to and discharged or transferred from Los Alamos Medical Center by qualified medical staff. Policies and procedures exist to ensure the provision to any patient the most appropriate level of care, based upon assessed needs and LAMC capacity to provide the necessary care. Safe transfer between facilities of seriously ill or injured individuals and women in labor will comply with COBRA/EMTALA legislation. All care is comparable, regardless of the setting in which it is provided, and regardless of any compensation or risk-sharing arrangements with hospital leaders, managers, clinical staff and licensed independent practitioners. Los Alamos Medical Center treats all patients, employees and physicians with dignity, respect and courtesy. Patients (and their families and/or significant others at patient discretion) will be involved in and informed about all decisions regarding their care, to the extent that this is practical and possible. In addition, they will be informed of therapeutic alternatives and risks associated with care, to the extent that it is practical and possible. Team LAMC will seek to understand and respect patient care objectives and will treat patients in a manner consistent with their backgrounds, cultures, faith and heritage. All patient information, sensitive personnel information, management or organizational issues will be maintained in strictest confidence and reviewed or used by only those authorized to access or act upon such information.
Los Alamos Medical Center recognizes the potential for conflict of interest in business dealings, and that such potential exists for decision makers at all levels in the organization. LAMC requires disclosure of potential conflicts of interest so that appropriate action may be taken to guard against such conflict influencing any important decisions.
Los Alamos Medical Center will bill patients or third parties only for services provided to patients and will provide assistance to patients and payors seeking to understand the cost relative to care. Within the framework of confidentiality, staff will attempt to answer questions and objections to the satisfaction of patients or payors. Patients have a right to request an itemized statement of their account, and if third-party payor contract provisions prohibit LAMC from providing such an itemized statement, LAMC's billing staff will refer the patient to said third-party payor to obtain the requested information.
Los Alamos Medical Center recognizes the need for Totally Managing Care and strives to establish cooperative, collaborative relationships with other health care providers in its service area. LAMC believes the patient should be moved through a seamless delivery system without stress or inconvenience above and beyond that which causes him/her to enter the health care arena. Additionally, LAMC promotes a philosophy of prevention, wellness and maximizing quality of life through good health. Finally, in an effort to constantly improve performance, remain on the leading edge of quality medical services, and promote careers in health care, wherever appropriate, LAMC maintains relationships with educational institutions. These relationships may allow for student placement at LAMC under qualified staff, or for collaboration with these institutions in the treatment of our patients. Patients will be informed of resident or student involvement in care delivery and shall also be informed of business relationships that exist among hospitals, educational institutions, other health care providers, and payors involved with their treatment and care. It is understood that, in order to assure patient safety and protect patient rights, patients have the right to perform or to refuse to perform work-oriented tasks within a healthcare setting in which such work therapy opportunities are provided. Los Alamos Medical Center does not offer such work therapy opportunities.
All associated with LAMC - staff, physicians and members of the local advisory board - are required to abide by this Code of Ethics. Appropriate policies and procedures exist to ensure such behavior.
If you have concerns about the safety or quality of care provided at LAMC, please report them to:
- the Risk Manager, Ext. 1108
- a member of the Administrative Team
- anonymously to the Patient Safety Hotline, Ext. 1603
- the corporate compliance hotline, 1-877-508-5433
- or the Joint Commission, 1-800-944-6610