Ethical questions arise in all areas of our Hospital. Our faces of ethics feature highlights different roles/departments in our organization and how ethics is relevant to their work.

What does your department do & how is ethics relevant to you?

The Financial Services portfolio includes a number of departments, functions and services:  financial accounting, patient accounts, insurance billing, cashier office and collections, payroll and staff scheduling systems, research and business services, budget, internal audit, analytics and management reporting.   

One of the guiding principles for the Financial Services portfolio is adherence to a set of ethical standards and guidelines.  Not only does this principle include the Hospital’s policy on code of conduct but also the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA) Code of Professional Conduct.  The CPA code identifies five fundamental principles of ethics: professional behaviour, integrity and due care, objectivity, professional competence and confidentiality.

What ethical issues come up in your area?

Our team deals with sensitive information with the highest level of due care and confidentiality.  We conduct ourselves in a manner that will maintain the portfolio’s good reputation and comply with the laws and regulations that govern the accounting profession and Hospital.  We engage with an independent external audit firm each year to test our internal controls and validate the Hospital’s year-end financial results. We demonstrate honesty and integrity in those business and professional relationships. 

As technology, legislation and best practices change, we ensure that we stay up to date on recent developments so that we can continue to exercise sound judgement and decision making.  Our mandate includes fiscal accountability and stewardship in the protection of the Hospital’s financial resources. We believe that a critical component of trust is making unbiased and objective decisions and recommendations that protect and benefit the Hospital.   

We serve all employees, patients, families, visitors, management and governance and comply with numerous national standards and external agencies in our reporting and processes.  We are committed to excellence, quality improvement, life-long learning and the highest ethical standards.

Ethics affects us all. Anyone struggling with an ethics question can contact the Bioethicist for support or access decision-making resources on the intranet.

Bioethicist: Michelle Allain – allainm@tbh.net, Ext. 6538