Code of Conduct
Introduction
Compliance Provisions
Business Conduct
Financial and Medical Records
Confidentiality
Baylor Property
Workplace Environment
Contact with the Government
Introduction
All faculty members, residents, employees, learners, agents and other personnel at Baylor College of Medicine ("Baylor") must read and follow the rules of the Code of Conduct and the Compliance Program so that Baylor can better ensure that its actions do not violate any laws or regulations. If you violate any of these rules, you will be disciplined, which may include immediate job termination and/or termination of appointment status.
If you believe that any other person is violating any of these rules of the Code of Conduct or the Compliance Program, you must tell your department administrator or Baylor's compliance officer. Use either the Compliance Issue Report Form or call the Compliance Helpline. There will be no retaliation against anyone who makes a report in good faith. On the other hand, if you fail to report a violation of either the Code of Conduct or the Compliance Program that you know about, you will be disciplined, which may include immediate job termination and/or termination of appointment status. These rules cannot, nor are they intended to, cover every situation that you may encounter. When the best course of action is unclear, you must inform your department administrator or the compliance officer of the situation.
When applying these rules of the Code of Conduct and Compliance Program, keep foremost in mind that Baylor is guided at all times by the values of integrity, compassion and respect for the dignity of every person. Baylor's mission is to promote health for all people through education, research, and public service. The College pursues this mission by sustaining excellence in educating medical and graduate students, primary care and specialty physicians, biomedical scientists and allied health professionals; by advancing basic and clinical biomedical research; by fostering public awareness of health and the prevention of disease; and by promoting patient care of the highest standard.
Compliance Provisions
You must follow all requirements contained in Baylor's Compliance Program.
Business Conduct
Follow all commitments of Baylor's Mission Statement, as described in the Compliance Program. Use good judgment and high ethical standards in the performance of your job responsibilities. Be honest with all people inside and outside Baylor. Never be dishonest. Disclose any conflicts of interest in accordance with the BCM Conflict of Interest Policy. Do not engage in outside business activities while at work.
Financial and Medical Records
Make sure all business and medical records for which you are responsible are accurate and maintained as required by federal and state law. Never make unauthorized changes in business records or medical records. Do not destroy or throw away documents except in accordance with Baylor guidelines. Never destroy, alter, or throw away records that have been requested or are likely to be requested by any government agency.
Confidentiality
Keep confidential any information you receive about Baylor. Only discuss that information with Baylor personnel who have a "need to know." If anyone outside Baylor asks you to give them information about Baylor, report immediately that request to your department administrator or the Compliance Officer. Maintain confidentiality even after you stop working for Baylor.
Never discuss or disclose confidential information about Baylor. Never use confidential information for your own benefit.
Baylor Property
Use Baylor property for business purposes only. Return to Baylor any equipment you take off site for business reasons.
Workplace Environment
Respect all Baylor personnel, students and associates. Do your part to make this a healthy, friendly and cooperative workplace environment.
Maintain a safe and healthful work area. Report immediately any unsafe or hazardous working conditions, including any involving medical wastes, to your department manager or the Compliance Officer.
Contact with the Government
It is the policy of Baylor to comply fully with all state and federal laws and regulations. Baylor will cooperate with any reasonable request for information from any governmental entity. In doing so, it is essential that the legal rights of Baylor and its personnel are protected. If you receive an inquiry from a government investigator, whether oral or written, including but not limited to a subpoena, a search warrant, or other legal document regarding Baylor's business, whether at home or in the workplace, Baylor requests that you immediately notify your department administrator or the compliance officer. The law guarantees all of us a right to be represented by legal counsel during any investigation or inquiry by any governmental agency. In view of the extremely technical nature of these investigations, we believe that Baylor itself should be represented and that you should at least be made aware of the opportunity for personal representation.