FWHFC Healthcare Code of Conduct

Far West Helping Foundation Corp (FWHFC) Healthcare Program requires all doctors, nurses, social workers, staff, volunteers, contractors, students, and partners to serve patients with dignity, privacy, professionalism, compassion, and respect.

Purpose

This policy establishes the required standards of behavior for all individuals working with or representing FWHFC Healthcare Program. The purpose is to protect patients, support ethical healthcare service, prevent misconduct, and promote trust in all healthcare and human services activities.

Required Conduct

• Treat every patient with dignity, compassion, respect, and patience.
• Protect patient privacy and never discuss patient information in public areas.
• Follow instructions from licensed medical providers and authorized supervisors.
• Use respectful language with patients, families, staff, and partners.
• Maintain professional boundaries with patients at all times.
• Document services, referrals, and patient support actions accurately.
• Report safety concerns, abuse, neglect, fraud, harassment, or privacy violations immediately.
• Follow infection control, hand hygiene, PPE, cleaning, and safety procedures.
• Use patient information only for authorized healthcare, case management, referral, or administrative purposes.

Prohibited Conduct

• No discrimination, harassment, intimidation, retaliation, or disrespectful treatment.
• No sharing of patient records, lab results, photos, phone numbers, or health information without authorization.
• No diagnosis, prescription, treatment order, or medication change by unauthorized staff or volunteers.
• No promises of treatment, cure, benefits, eligibility, approval, or financial assistance.
• No accepting gifts, money, favors, or personal benefit from patients.
• No patient care while impaired, unsafe, unlicensed, or outside assigned role.
• No discussion of patient information on personal phones, social media, public email, or unsecured systems.

Patient Dignity Standard

Every patient must be treated as a human being first. Staff and volunteers must protect the patient’s dignity regardless of income, race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, immigration status, sex, gender identity, health condition, mental health condition, substance use history, or ability to pay.

Licensed Provider Rule

Only licensed and authorized healthcare professionals may diagnose, prescribe, interpret medical results, approve treatment plans, or provide clinical instructions. Volunteers, social workers, administrative staff, and AI tools may support education and coordination but may not replace licensed medical judgment.

Acknowledgment

All FWHFC Healthcare Program staff, volunteers, contractors, and partners must read, understand, and follow this Code of Conduct before serving patients.

FWHFC Patient Privacy & Confidentiality Policy

Far West Helping Foundation Corp (FWHFC) Healthcare Program is committed to protecting the privacy, dignity, confidentiality, and security of all patients, clients, families, healthcare records, laboratory information, and personal information handled through FWHFC healthcare and social service operations.

Protected Information

The following information must always be protected:

• Medical records and healthcare documentation
• Labcorp and outside laboratory testing results
• Patient names, addresses, phone numbers, and identification records
• Medication information and prescriptions
• Mental health and substance abuse information
• Case management and social service records
• Immigration, disability, insurance, or financial information
• Telehealth or teleconference healthcare communications
• Photos, videos, recordings, or electronic communications

Staff & Volunteer Responsibilities

• Access patient information only when authorized and necessary.
• Never discuss patient information in public areas.
• Never share patient records through personal phones or personal email accounts.
• Protect paper records, electronic records, and laboratory reports.
• Lock or secure devices and systems containing patient information.
• Report any privacy breach, lost records, unauthorized access, or security concern immediately.
• Use respectful communication with all patients and families.
• Maintain confidentiality even after employment or volunteer service ends.

Telehealth & Electronic Communication

FWHFC may use telehealth, telephone consultations, secure messaging, or electronic healthcare communication for patient follow-up and support services. All electronic healthcare communication must be conducted in a confidential and secure manner whenever possible.

AI Healthcare Assistant Privacy Rule

The FWHFC AI Healthcare Assistant may provide educational guidance, clinic procedures, patient support information, medication safety education, and healthcare workflow assistance. The AI assistant must not publicly disclose patient information, provide unauthorized diagnoses, or replace licensed medical professionals.

Non-Discrimination Standard

Privacy protections apply equally to all patients regardless of race, color, national origin, immigration status, disability, religion, sex, gender identity, age, income level, health condition, mental health status, or ability to pay.

Violations & Corrective Action

Any violation of this Privacy & Confidentiality Policy may result in corrective action, suspension of volunteer privileges, removal from service, reporting to supervisors, or additional legal or administrative action when appropriate.

FWHFC AI Healthcare Assistant

Supporting patients, healthcare volunteers, nurses, doctors, social workers, and community healthcare services with privacy, dignity, compassion, education, and professional healthcare support guidance.

What the FWHFC AI Healthcare Assistant Can Help With

FWHFC Healthcare Mission

FWHFC Healthcare Program is committed to improving community wellness, increasing healthcare access, supporting low-income individuals and families, protecting patient dignity and privacy, and strengthening compassionate healthcare services through partnership, education, outreach, and professional support systems.