Case Study : Industry Self Regulation Without Sanctions : The Chemical Industry 's Responsible Care Program

Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act (PSQIA) was signed into law on July 29, 2005, published on November 21, 2008 and became effective on January 19, 2009 (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, n.d). PSQIA catalyzes sharing of healthcare data, information and patient safety practices between health care organizations by creating Patient Safety Organizations (PSO). Providers can report or share information related to patient safety events with PSO without the fears of liability, because “ PSQIA provides federal privilege and confidentiality protections for patient safety information, called patient safety work product” (USDHMS, n.d ). This means protected information cannot be introduced in any federal, state, local, or tribal civil,

Assignment: Keeping People Safe Unit 7: Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care A: Examine how duty of care contributes to safe practice in health and social care settings B: Understand how to recognise and respond to concerns about abuse and neglect C: Investigate the influence of health and safety legislation and policies in health and social care settings D: Explore procedures and responsibilities to maintain health and safety and respond to accidents and emergencies in health and social care settings Task 1: Evaluate significance of duty of care, explaining its significance in promoting safe practice, Evaluate significance of complaints procedure in promoting safe practice, and justifies the procedures used when responding

The risk management program in any business, especially in a health care organization is an integral part of its day to day operation. The purpose of the risk management department is summed up by Kavaler & Alexander (2014), “…a program designed to reduce the incidence of preventable accidents and injuries to minimize the financial loss to the institution should any accident or injury occur” (p. 5). Protecting employees, patients, vendors and visitors is an ongoing process and one that needs to be updated when the healthcare organization has deemed necessary. This paper will demonstrate the importance of presenting the risk management program to new employees, compliance with the standards set forth by the American Society of Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM), propose recommendations or changes needed to further improve the program, as well as examine the administrative process of managing a risk program.

1.1 Describe how current health and safety legislation, policies and procedures implemented in the setting

Keeping this definition in mind while evaluating Company Q’s attitude toward social responsibility, it is apparent they have developed a reputation for not caring about the community by closing stores in higher crime rate areas, only offering a limited supply of healthconscience and organic products, and

Government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and the National Highway Transportation Safety Agency (NHTSA) handles setting the safety standards. According to Halbert & Ingulli (2012) parties can allocate risks with some constraints under the Uniform Commercial Code (p.282). For example, Toyotas was having acceleration problems with their vehicles. However, individuals “injured may now turn to the courts to hold manufacturers and sellers liable. In recent decades class action suits of injured Plaintiffs have been brought against entire industries found to have hidden the known risks of their products: asbestos, tobacco, and lead” (Halbert & Ingulli, 2012, p.282).

The Joint Commission is a nonprofit organization that focuses on improving the Healthcare system. They do this by regulating and evaluating health care organizations, helping them improve and give a more effective and safe care (The Joint Commission, 2012). The National Patient safety goals are ways in which the joint commission strives to improve the way health care is provided (The Joint Commission, 2012). Effective on January 1, 2012, the Joint commission came up with new ways to improve the Care of Medicare Based Long term Care facilities and provided Safety regulations to be followed. In order to better understand the impact that this regulations

When an organization partakes in “proactive behavior…for the benefit of society,” it is deemed as socially responsible (P. 155). However, prior to labeling a organization as socially responsible, it is important that we first identify what specific elements of proactive behavior constitute a socially responsible business. To begin, for an organization to be considered socially responsible on the highest level, it must take a proactive approach to doing business. This is defined as “[taking a] approach to social responsibility in which an organization goes beyond industry norms to solve and prevent problems” (P.155). In addition, it is standard for a socially responsible organization to incorporate a larger scope of stakeholders, to include external stakeholders, in their business decisions to create positive externalities, and mitigate negative ones, to benefit society as a whole.

In 2008, Lowe’s Companies, Inc. have failed to ensure a sustainable safety environment, put in place a health program, and maintain adequate record keeping on work-related injury and illnesses claims for certain locations in the state of Ohio. This employer has been made aware of OSHA requirements for its industry and has been cited many times for similar infractions. OSHA regulators have imposed stiff penalty fines that have cost Lowe’s Companies Inc. thousands of dollars. The record-keeping violations at the

It is everyone’s responsibility to maintain health and safety within the work place following company policies and procedures along with the legal requirements set out in government standards for social care settings.

Aiii) – Health and Safety Act & Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002

CU2939 – Develop Health and Safety and risk Management Policies, Procedures and Practices in Health and Social Care or Children and Young People Settings.

This responsibility motivates the HR department and managers to implement stringent policies to prevent work-related injuries to avoid paying for higher workers’ compensation insurance. Moreover, it inspires the company to promote safety by organizing a safety committee to address hazards in the workplace to prevent injuries or deaths. The committee solicits employee suggestions and participation to increase compliance to company policies. It also develops various safety programs to promote employee wellness to improve their quality of life (Gomez-Mejia, et al, 2010).

Big Pharma has not had much say whether or not their ethics code would change. The pharmaceutical industry is getting a major overhaul of their sales and marketing strategies. The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers &Associations (IFPMA), started their changes by adding into their code of ethics and by vowing to publicize all names of companies that wrongfully market their products. According to an article in Medicine, Health Care, and Philosophy, Badcott (2013) states, “Under the international group's newly revised code of ethics, pharmaceutical representatives cannot lavish expensive gifts on doctors to influence prescribing practices. Still permitted are lesser gifts such as pens or stethescopes.” In order for a code of ethics to be effective there must be repercussions when the rules are broken. This seems to be the main issue that Big Pharma is having trouble with. They made the change in policy, but who is enforcing it? An ethical code is not useful if they are not effectively implemented and communicated. Badcott (2014) goes on to say, “While PhRMA has no rule to punish violators, the IFPMA pledges to immediately post information about incidents-including the name of the company involved-on its Web site.” While public shaming is a step in the right direction for holding the industry accountable, is it enough to make a difference? The reaction of the industry to stakeholder concerns is what will have the greatest

Over the past couple of decades, a sudden change has started to take over the way business is done. The time when no rules applied, and anyone could do what they pleased at the cost of others or the environment is rapidly ending. Instead, companies today have become aware that it is essential for them to employ ethics and morality in their actions, if not they will be heavily scrutinized and rejected by the public. This way of thinking also applies to the pharmaceutical industry, which over the past century has been rapidly expanding. Do to the fact that this industry can determine the health and lives of millions of people, it is imperative that this industry follow an ethical and moral path.