“Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ” – This is the corporate motto of the Adventist Health System. The largest not for profit Protestant healthcare system in the United States. It operates 45 hospitals with 83,000 licensed beds in 10 states. I have had the pleasure of working for the organization for the past five years. The organization is one that I believe has grasped the concept of upholding the six pillars of marketing code of ethics. Through its use of social media, print media and radio advertisement, they have stayed true to the company motto and reached out to be a force in the community. Whether it be community service, corporate donations of time and talent or its firm belief in the healing of the mind, body and spirit, Adventist Health Systems works toward keeping the pillars standing tall in their organization
Honesty
Defined as being honest in conduct, integrity, reliability and loyalty. Honesty is a pillar that has been upheld by Adventist Health Systems since its inception in 1886. Founded by the Seventh Day Adventists, the organization began as a sanitarium that helped those that were ill. The treatments that were prescribed were based on honest, reliable forms of medicine. The Adventist were not, at that time, sold on the pharmaceutical methods of treating patients. They were more in line with the belief that diet played an important role on the care of sickness. They believed in being full forthright with patients and this holds true today as they rise to the occasion daily of providing care to sick patients. They strive to safeguard public confidence in the integrity of the organization by displaying honesty in all dealings. This includes avoiding conduct that may create the very appearance of impropriety.
Responsibility
When addressing responsibility, we are talking about accountability, excellence and self-restraint. Adventist Health Systems seeks to conduct business efficiently and in a way that permits employees and other parties doing business with them to make clear, informed judgements and to be able to hold the company accountable. This is evident with the company’s determination to provide Sabbath days off for all practicing Seventh Day Adventists. Being a healthcare organization, there is the need for some staff to work on the Adventist holy day, however, there is a responsible effort made to help those who keep the holy day to be able to do so.
Caring
Caring in this aspect is a demonstration of a genuine sense of compassion and concern for the welfare of others. This is not only reflected by tax advantages of charitable contributions. It is also evident through a dedicated philanthropic effort. Adventist Health Systems works to be a force in the community to reflect its caring attitude. It brings various programs into the community at large. These include weekly volunteer by employees at local soup kitchens during the lunch hour. They also man homeless shelters in the wee hours of the morning to facilitate showers, breakfast and clean-up activities. The organization is also very active in giving back to the community on a larger level by assisting universities and colleges with it philanthropic endeavors. According to the Adventist Review, “Union College has received a $2 million gift from Adventist Health Systems to establish an academic chair, bring to $6 million the amount that Adventist Health has given to Adventist schools in the recent weeks.” (Adventist Review Staff, 2015) According to Barry Forbes, chair of the Division of Business and Computer Science, “I appreciate the opportunities that Adventist Health Systems has offered Union College students through internships and careers. In fact, many have become hospital CEOs and senior executives at AHS hospitals” (Adventist Review Staff, 2015)
Respect
Respect is treating others with dignity. Being civil, courteous and decent not just to patients, but also to all employees and business partners. Being a healthcare organization, there is going to be situations that will cause those aligned with Adventist Health Systems to encounter families of sick patients along with the patients, themselves. Adventist Health System works this ability to provide respect into everything that they do. Whether is it informing the family of the loss of a loved one, divulging to a patient a life-threatening illness, or assisting an employee with some life challenges at home, the organization works from a great modicum of respect. In all of these instances, Adventist Health Systems takes the proverbial high road in its activities towards the person. This respect also extends to its business partners as well. They strive to ensure that all business performed is kept to a respectful level for all parties.
Fairness
When dealing with matters of fairness, the organization seeks to be impartial while remaining free of interest in all dealings. This fairness extends itself into the area of ensuring that all employees are equally and fairly compensated. All areas of the organization are routinely evaluated and necessary changes are made based on feedback from management and employees. Annual surveys of all employees are performed and the information is used to assist in annual changes and enhancements to the organization that are in the best interest of all involved, employees, patients and vendors.
Citizenship
Along with the examples stated in the caring section of this paper, Adventist Health System is well involved in activities that are geared to helping the healthcare community at large. One such activity was recently reported on in the Adventist Review magazine. In a recent article it was reported that the organization had made some strides in the field that could be of benefit to the entire industry. The article stated, “Adventist Health System, which operates 45 hospitals in 10 U.S. states, saved $108 million in three years by making a concerted effort to find ways to improve patient safety, according to a new study. The study, published in the Journal of Patient Safety this week, counters a belief in some medical circles that hospitals have no financial incentive to reduce “patient harm,” or preventable medical errors. If Adventist Health System’s efforts to systemically identify and reduce patient harm were replicated across the United States, hospitals would save billions of dollars every year, the study’s researchers said.” (McChesney, 2015) This information, shared with other healthcare organizations could redefine some of the practices that are in place now that are impacting patient safety. I found it very striking that the article mentioned that hospitals were of the mindset that there was no financial incentive to reduce patient harm. I can see by this point and the study performed that Adventist Health System is vested in making a difference in the community and ensuring that the future of healthcare is well practiced by it counterparts as well.
Conclusion
One method that I believe the organization can improve on its corporate citizenship is to impart upon its counterpart the techniques used to save $108 million by improving patient safety. The healthcare industry has been bombarded in the past with multiple lawsuits related to patient safety. The recent fiasco that is the Veterans Administration is one example of how this has played itself out. There has also been a rash of staff infections that have resulted in the death of many patients. The implementation and sharing of the policies enacted by Adventist Health Systems could not only assist many healthcare organization financially, but it can also help patients to be sure that their safety is a primary concern of the organization. Another step that the organization can make would be to become more active in the arena of homelessness and how it impacts the children in its community. Homelessness plays a major role in the lives of many children in the country. Being able to have the basic tenets of survival is important to the youth of our country. A Christian organization should have an entity that is working towards reaching this often forgotten segment of society.
References McChesney, A. (2015, March 26). Adventist Health System Saves $108 Million by Improving Patient Safety. Retrieved April 25, 2015, from http://www.adventistreview.org/church-news/story2476-adventist-health-system-saves-$108-million-by-improving-patient-safety Union College Becomes 3rd School to Get $2 Million Gift. (2015, February 25). Retrieved April 25, 2015, from http://www.adventistreview.org/church-news/story2348-union-college-becomes-3rd-school-to-get-$2-million-gift
