Who is Really Responsible for Compliance?
By Susan Walberg, CAO Interim Compliance Officer
Many employees may believe that the answer to this question is easy: the Compliance Officer is responsible for Compliance. Or, alternatively, employees may believe that it is really the responsibility of the Board, or the President, to ensure organizational compliance with laws, rules, and regulations.
It may surprise you, then, to learn that every employee and agent of The Centers is responsible for Compliance.
So what does it mean to be responsible for Compliance? It means that all employees, physicians, and others working on behalf of The Centers need to be aware of certain expectations, and act accordingly:
- Understand and stay current on legal and regulatory requirements relating to your job;
- Participate in all required Compliance and Privacy training;
- Ask questions if something doesn’t seem right, and if you know it’s not right, report it through appropriate channels, such as your Supervisor, Administrator, or the Compliance Officer;
- Follow The Centers’ policies and the policies at your division;
- Adhere to requirements affecting patients, such as Privacy, Security, and Quality; and
- Cooperate fully and in a timely manner to any internal reviews or outside audits or investigations, as directed by your leadership or the Compliance Officer.
It is important for all Centers employees to conduct themselves with honesty and integrity at all times in order to position The Centers as a national leader in delivering the highest quality and most compassionate orthopaedic care.
If you have any questions about The Centers’ Compliance Program or your responsibilities, please feel free to contact your Compliance Officer, Susan Walberg, at swalberg@kohlerhc.com or at (301) 256-5010.