The Integrity Hotline is a comprehensive and confidential reporting tool to assist workforce members, patients and other third parties to work together to address fraud, abuse, and other misconduct in the workplace, all while cultivating a positive environment.
Why do we need the Integrity Hotline?
We believe that our workforce members and patients are our most important
asset. By creating open channels of communication, we can promote a positive
environment.
As part of the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) Compliance Program
Guidance health care organizations are required by law to have an anonymous reporting vehicle to
address concerns. It is critical that health care organizations create an environment in which
individuals do not have reason to fear retaliation for reporting or that their reports will not
be taken seriously.
An effective reporting system will augment our other efforts to
foster a culture of integrity and ethical decision-making.
What type of situations should I report?
The purpose of the Integrity Hotline is to report concerns and or seek guidance regarding violations of the Code of Conduct, laws, regulations, policies or procedures, and or any other concern you may have that affect your role and responsibility within our organization.
When you observe some behavior that you believe violates our code of conduct/handbook, we expect you to report it. Ideally, you should bring any concerns forward to your direct manager, or other member of our management team. We recognize, however, that there may be circumstances when you are not comfortable reporting the issue in this manner. It is for such circumstances that we have partnered with EthicsPoint. We would rather you report anonymously than keep the information to yourself.
Yes! We must have copies of all relevant documents to perform a thorough investigation and take appropriate corrective action. This includes actual copies of the After Visit Summery (AVS)/Prescriptions/Face sheets, etc. that were potentially or actually misdirected. Please upload any documents and provide all details relevant to your concern. The vendor that provides our hotline services is considered a business associate of Providence and is obligated to protect this information from wrongful disclosure.
Will I be informed of the outcome of my reported concern?
Confidentiality prohibits us from sharing the details of an investigation, but you will be notified when the investigation is completed.
Can I still file a report if I don’t have access to the Internet?
You can file a report by calling the Integrity Hotline at 1-888-294-8455, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Is there any difference between reporting by phone or online?
No, you can file a confidential, anonymous report either way: By calling the Integrity Hotline at 1-888-294-8455 or submitting a report at the Integrity Hotline website.
Yes, any caregiver (employee) from the Providence family of organizations can use the Integrity Hotline. You can file a confidential, anonymous report by calling the Integrity Hotline at 1-888-294-8455 or submitting a report at the Integrity Hotline website.
If I work at the University of Providence. Can I use the Integrity Hotline?
Yes, you can use the Integrity Hotline. You can file a confidential, anonymous report by calling the Integrity Hotline at 1-888-294-8455 or submitting a repot at the Integrity Hotline website.
When you file a report, you receive a unique username and are asked to choose a password. You can call the Integrity Hotline at 1-888-294-8455 or visit the Integrity Hotline website to access the original report. From there, you can add more details or answer questions you may have received from an integrity, compliance and privacy representative from the Providence family of organizations. We strongly suggest that you return to the Integrity Hotline by phone or online in the time specified to answer questions.
Why should I report what I know? What’s in it for me?
We all have the right to work in a positive environment and with that right comes the responsibility of acting in an ethical manner and letting the appropriate people know if someone is not acting appropriately. By working together, we can maintain a healthy and productive environment. Misconduct can threaten the livelihood of an entire organization.
Does management really want me to report?
Yes, in fact, we need you to report. You know what is going on in our organization - both good and bad. You may have initial knowledge of an activity that may be cause for concern. Your reporting can minimize the potential negative impact on the organization and the people we serve. Also, offering positive input may help identify issues that can improve our culture and performance.
Our organization chooses to promote ethical and honest behavior. All unethical conduct, at any level, ultimately hurts our organization, workforce members and all those we serve.
File a report. The intake specialist from NAVEX can help you prepare and file your report so it can be properly understood. We'd rather you report a situation that turns out to be harmless than let possible unethical behavior go unchecked because you weren't sure.
Where do these reports go? Who can access them?
Reports are entered directly on a third party vendor’s, NAVEX, secure server to prevent any possible breach in security. EthicsPoint makes these reports available only to specific individuals within the organization who are responsible for evaluating the report, based on the type of violation and location of the incident.
Our third party vendor does not generate or maintain in EthicsPoint any
internal connection logs with IP addresses, so no information linking your PC to EthicsPoint is
available. In fact, EthicsPoint is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter’s
identity.
If you feel uncomfortable making a report on your work PC, you have the option
of using a PC outside your work environment (such as one located at an Internet café, at a
friend’s house, etc.) through the Integrity Hotline our secure website.
Can I file a report from home and still remain anonymous?
A report from home, a neighbor’s computer, or any Internet portal will remain secure and anonymous. An Internet portal never identifies a visitor by screen name and the EthicsPoint system strips away Internet addresses so that anonymity is totally maintained. Plus, EthicsPoint is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter’s identity.
The EthicsPoint system is designed to protect your anonymity and the information that you provide is at your discretion. Keep in mind that the success of an investigation may be directly related to how much information the investigator has to work with as provided by you.
Is the toll-free phone number also confidential and anonymous?
Yes. You will be asked to provide the same information that you would provide in the online form on the Integrity Hotline website. A communication specialist from NAVEX will document your concerns and a report will be sent to an integrity, compliance and privacy representative at the Providence family of organizations. These reports are delivered securely and confidentially, and you remain anonymous.
Are follow-up reports as secure as the first one?
All correspondences are held in the same strict confidence as the initial report, continuing under the umbrella of anonymity.
What if I want to be identified with my report?
There is a section in the report for identifying yourself, if you wish.