Code of Ethics HOTLINE: (866) 254-3491

Code of Ethics

The mission of Rehabilitation Institute at Santa Barbara (RISB) is to provide comprehensive medical rehabilitation to empower people with disabilities to achieve optimal quality of life.

RISB Quality Initiative

Service Theme
We Renew Hope and Nurture Independence by Building Personal Relationships and Providing a Caring Environment

Service Priorities
1. Safety
2. Courtesy
3. My role
4. Efficiency

Quality of Care & Services
We respect the dignity, comfort, and privacy of every patient, team member and customer. Our qualified health care professionals provide appropriate and timely care without regard to race, religion, disability, age, sex, national origin, or sexual orientation.

We adhere to the State of California’s Statement of Patient Rights.

We maintain complete and thorough records of patient information and protect the privacy of our patients’ health records in accordance with our policies, accreditation standards, and applicable laws.

Environment and Safety
We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for patients, caregivers, team members and visitors. As RISB team members, we are expected to abide by the Institute’s policies and procedures and:

Comply with all applicable environmental, health and safety laws, regulations, permits and other requirements, such as those dealing with:

• Employee and public safety and health
• Work conditions
• Pollution control
• Waste management
• Dependent adult, child and spousal abuse reporting

Follow procedures on environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and risk management, and apply our training to protect others, the environment and ourselves.

Promptly report to our supervisor or other appropriate individuals all environmental, health and safety incidents, including significant near misses.

Report to work fit to perform our duties and free of the effects of alcohol or drugs at work.

Ensure that our work environment is safe.

Understand and incorporate our environmental and safety responsibilities into daily work activities.

Privacy and Confidentiality
We do not discuss patient, team member, or other customer information in any public area, including elevators, hallways, stairwells, or restrooms.

We safeguard patient, team member and other customer information from physical damage.

We reveal clinical or business information only when such release is supported by a legitimate clinical or business purpose, and in compliance with RISB policies and procedures.

We maintain medical and business documents in accordance with state and federal laws and our own record retention policy.

We exercise care in ensuring that all confidential and proprietary information is protected.

Computer passwords and access codes are kept confidential.

Workplace Conduct and Employment Practices
We recognize that RISB’s greatest strength lies in the efforts and talents of our team members who create our success and reputation.

We treat other team members and customers with the same respect we show our patients.

We provide equal employment opportunities to prospective and current employees, based solely on merit, qualifications, and abilities.

RISB does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.

We seek team members, vendors and business partners who have not been sanctioned by any regulatory agency and are able to perform their designated responsibilities.

We do not tolerate sexual harassment or harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law.

We do not tolerate any acts of retaliation or reprisal against any team member who in good faith reports a suspected violation of law, regulation, RISB policy, or Code of Ethics infraction.

Our leadership fosters an “open door policy” and creates a work environment in which ethical concerns will be addressed.

All RISB team members receive appropriate training and orientation and have the experience and skills to perform their duties and meet the needs of our customers.

Any suspected criminal or fraudulent behavior is reported to leadership or directly to the Compliance Officer via hotline or direct contact.

Information Technology
We safeguard RISB information technology and electronic information and protect it from improper use and access.

We maintain and monitor security systems, data back up systems and storage capabilities to ensure that information is maintained safely.

We only allow authorized persons to have access to computer systems and software on a "need to know" basis.

Coding and Billing
We perform coding and billing accurately, in accordance with nationally recognized standards and rules.

Each assigned team member has the responsibility to ensure that information required for proper coding is documented in each patient's medical record and accurately reflects the care provided.

Audits on coding, billing and documentation are completed to gauge compliance, and the results are reported to the Compliance Officer and President/CEO.

Marketing Activities
We do not give or receive any form of payment, kickback or bribe to induce referrals or purchase services.

Services are proposed only for those patients who are likely to benefit from medical rehabilitation.

Patient outcomes are accurately represented in written form based on recent outcomes data.

RISB programs and services are accurately represented by team members and in written materials.

Conflict of Interest
We avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest.

No team member or member of his/her immediate family directly or indirectly participates in, or has a significant interest in, any business that competes with or is a supplier to RISB.

Members of the Board of Directors annually complete a Conflict of Interest form to ensure that its duties are not compromised.

RISB team members are not permitted to accept gifts or other benefits valued at more than $50 from any individual, business or other organization doing business with RISB.

Protecting RISB Assets
We protect our assets and the assets of others entrusted to RISB from loss, theft or misuse.

Our established policies, procedures, and educational activities determine how we safeguard RISB assets and ensure the accuracy of financial statements and other records and reports.

We use RISB property appropriately and take measures to prevent theft and loss.

We report time and attendance accurately.