What method of ethical oversight (for example, a code of ethics, ethic advisory board, oversight by the board of directors, or an ethic audit) would you suggest for Acre Woods retirement community

Acre Woods Retirement Community Case Study

Acre Woods is a private retirement community with 275 senior residents. Its mission is to improve the quality of life of its residents through physical and emotional care. Sarah Armstrong, Acre Woods’ resident physical therapist, manages the retirement community’s activity program. Recently, Acre Woods added a pool to its rehabilitation center to facilitate resident exercise and aquatic therapy. The residents’ monthly rent was raised to help finance the pool.
After the pool was constructed, Sarah immediately contacted the director of Acre Woods, Mark Adams, with concerns that the pool did not meet some important specifications that were included in the original design, including non-slip treads on the stairs and improved wheelchair access to the pool area. Mark advised Sarah that the residents would be happy to have a pool, even if it didn’t contain all the requested special features. When Sarah asked why the new ramp and stair treads were not provided when they were included in the budget, the director remarked that Sarah’s job was to provide physical therapy, not to worry about the budget.
Over the next month, four Acre Woods residents had minor falls using the pool stairs. While the accidents weren’t serious, other residents began to express fears about using the pool. Sarah contacted Mark again to relate resident complaints and to stress the need for pool accessibility and safety improvements. Mark informed Sarah that she was the only member of Acre Woods staff that was complaining or concerned about the pool; therefore, there was no issue. Mark stated that he had a report from another Acre Woods physical therapist, Gene Levy, reporting that residents enjoy the pool and that it has expanded opportunities for physical therapy. Sarah asked Mark to tour the facility in person to assess the situation, but Mark expressed that he was too busy to visit Acre Woods until the next quarter.
Two weeks later, Mark promoted Gene to health care administrator of Acre Woods. Gene took over Sarah’s activity program duties and re-assigned her to the assisted living unit. Concerned about Acre Woods’ ability to live up to its mission and suspicious about the missing funds from the pool project, Sarah contacted the local newspaper and “blew the whistle” on the director’s response to her complaints.
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What method of ethical oversight(for example, a code of ethics, ethic advisory board, oversight by the board of directors or an ethic audit) would you suggest for Acre Woods retirement community.

Based on the case study provided, it is clear that there are ethical concerns within Acre Woods retirement community. Given the situation, I would suggest implementing multiple methods of ethical oversight to address these issues effectively.

1. Code of Ethics: A comprehensive code of ethics should be developed and implemented within Acre Woods retirement community. This code should outline the organization's values, principles, and standards for ethical conduct. It should explicitly address the importance of resident safety, accessibility, and the duty of all staff members to raise concerns and ensure transparency.

To create a code of ethics, the following steps can be followed:
- Identify key ethical principles and values that should guide the organization's conduct.
- Consult with staff and residents to ensure that their perspectives and concerns are considered.
- Draft the code of ethics and seek feedback from key stakeholders.
- Finalize the code and ensure it is communicated to all staff members, residents, and other relevant parties.

2. Ethic Advisory Board: Establishing an ethic advisory board comprised of individuals from different backgrounds and disciplines can provide valuable guidance and oversight. The board should include representatives from the resident community, staff members, and external experts in fields such as healthcare management, ethics, and law.

To establish an ethic advisory board, follow these steps:
- Identify potential board members who have expertise and a strong ethical background.
- Invite them to join the board and explain their roles and responsibilities.
- Schedule regular meetings to discuss ethical concerns, provide guidance, and review the organization's adherence to the code of ethics.
- Ensure transparency and accountability by documenting the board's advice and actions.

3. Oversight by the Board of Directors: The board of directors of Acre Woods retirement community should actively engage in ethical oversight. They should review and approve the code of ethics, ensure its implementation throughout the organization, and hold management accountable for ethical conduct. The board can also conduct regular audits and assessments to identify any gaps or potential ethical issues within the organization.

To enhance board oversight, consider the following steps:
- Educate the board members about the importance of ethical oversight and their responsibilities in upholding ethical standards.
- Schedule regular board meetings specifically dedicated to discussing ethical matters, including updates from the ethic advisory board and reports on ethical compliance.
- Establish clear reporting channels for staff members and residents to raise ethical concerns directly to the board.
- Conduct periodic evaluations of the board's performance in ethical oversight.

4. Ethic Audit: Conducting an ethic audit can help identify any existing ethical issues, evaluate the organization's adherence to the code of ethics, and recommend improvements. The audit should be performed by an independent third party who specializes in ethical auditing.

To conduct an ethic audit, follow these steps:
- Define the scope and objectives of the audit, ensuring that it covers all relevant areas of concern.
- Engage an ethical auditing expert or organization to perform the audit.
- Ensure full cooperation from staff members and provide access to all necessary documentation and information.
- Assess the organization's compliance with the code of ethics, identify areas of improvement, and provide recommendations for corrective actions.
- Review the audit findings with the ethic advisory board and board of directors to develop an action plan for addressing the identified issues.

By implementing these methods of ethical oversight, Acre Woods retirement community can address the concerns raised in the case study and work towards creating a culture of transparency, accountability, and resident-centered care.