Management

Assignment Content
Imagine you’ve been assigned to an organizational committee that has been asked to evaluate the organization and make recommendations to the compliance officer on ways to strengthen legal and ethical compliance.

In this assignment, you will use the Organizational Research Memo Template to research organizations, not agencies. Remember that an organization is a company or business – such as a hospital, clinic, or insurance company – and an agency is a part of the government at the federal, state, or local level, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Labor (DOL), or a state health department.

Select 1 of the organizations listed below. Research the organization’s compliance information. Review the Organizational Research Memo Template to ensure you can obtain all information for the organization you have selected.

American Red Cross
American Heart Association
United Healthcare
Johnson & Johnson
Stryker Corp.
Verizon Healthcare
GE Healthcare
A hospital
A clinic
An insurance company
A nonprofit health care organization
An organization of your choice – the organization should not be a federal, state, or local agency, and must include information that is publicly available.

Write a 700- to 1,050-word memo to the corporate compliance officer. Use the Organizational Research Memo Template to complete the assignment.

Cite at least 2 reputable references (even though the template states one). Reputable references include trade or industry publications, government or agency websites, scholarly works, a textbook, or other sources of similar quality. (1 source must be scholarly)

Format your references section and references used in your memo according to APA guidelines. Include a title page as well.

Submit your assignment in Microsoft Word (not a PDF).

Resources:
Center for Writing Excellence
Reference and Citation Generator
Grammar Assistance

ANSWER

Organizational Research Memo

Memo To

Memo From

Re

Date

Mr. Larry Cannon

Tasked with evaluating the American Heart Association, we as a committee are dedicated to analyzing your institution, assessing and recommending some ways of improvement that could be vital towards strengthening your organization’s legal and ethical compliance. Our community will also analyze the American Heart Association’s code of ethics, some essential core values, and the mission of the organization. Another crucial element would be to evaluate the organization’s legal and ethical compliance and any other legal issues attached to it. Analyzing the legal and ethical aspects of the organization will also ensure that the organization improves its customer support and engagement in legal manners. Your support and corporation would be extremely appreciated as we strive to bring out the best in the organization as you aspire to improve your patients’ lives.

Name and Description of the Organization

The American Hearts Association was developed with the aim of researching and developing preventive measures and cures for patients suffering from either stroke or heart disease. The development of preventive measures is mainly oriented around patients who have suffered from a stroke, and the organization seeks to further their research and prevent future occurrences. The American Hearts Association also caters for the rehabilitation period for people who have suffered from stroke by embarking on a therapy journey towards normal and complete recovery. The American Hearts Association also issues journals, fliers, and various advertisements in a bid to offer valuable tips for staying healthy and engaging in a heart-attack-free lifestyle. It also highlights their 12 crucial guideline elements that are the backbone of their foundation and responsibilities of their organization towards promoting and sustaining a healthy lifestyle.

Description of the Organizational Culture

Founded in 1924, the main aim of the American Heart Association has been to provide a better and healthy lifestyle and cater to cardiac patients. The organization has continuously operated and promoted an all-inclusive culture regardless of gender, race, age, religious and political affiliations. It has an ingrained culture in all its employees to promote better services to their patients and hold their hand towards the recovery process. The organization has invested heavily in cardiac-related issues and aspires to research more on how the disease can be prevented and treated, and possibly eradicated at earlier stages. They promote and advocate for a healthy lifestyle, and this is required from all their employees to set the example and embrace the lifestyle.

The organization also receives donations from all over the world. These funds are used in research and at times cater to the medical bills of those who cannot afford treatment and are in critical condition. Their employees are from all over the world, and they also welcome volunteers from different and diverse backgrounds to offer help in their various organizations.

Mission, code of ethics, and core values of the Organization

According to the American Hearts Association (2021), “Improving and Extending People’s Lives, Bringing Science to Life, Speaking with a Trustworthy, Voice, Building Powerful Partnerships, Inspiring Passionate Commitment, Meeting People Where They Are, Making an Extraordinary Impact, Ensuring Equitable Health for All” are the core values and the foundation and code of ethics in which the organization operates on. The organization complies with all the federal laws and regulations and expects its employees and volunteers to do the same-” American Heart Association employees and volunteers must: Proactively promote ethical behavior as a responsible partner among peers in the work environment. Deal fairly with AHA Customers, suppliers, competitors, volunteers, and employees”.

The organization has a clear and well-defined mission, “to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.” They also have a short-term vision that the organization aspires to achieve. According to the American Hearts Organization (2021), “…by 2024, The American Hearts Association will advance cardiovascular health for all, including identifying and removing barriers to health care access and quality.”

Leadership Strategies to promote legal and ethical compliance

The American Hearts Organization promotes a high standard of professionalism and ethical conduct as they aspire to offer better medical services to their patients. This level of professionalism and exceptional leadership is made possible by The Committee on Governance (COG) involvement. The COG plays a crucial role in the American Health Care system by evaluating hospitals to promote better healthcare to patients and the community at large. The organization inspires its employees and creates an environment that fosters integrity and trust.

The organization also aspires to bring out the best in its employees and expects them to have commitment and passion as they offer their patients services. The AHA also issues a Human Resource Manual to all their employees and volunteers. The manual details the organization’s code of conduct, their priorities, and the level of professionalism that is expected from them. However, the organization follows a free roam kind of leadership by letting employees micro-manage themselves and motivate them to do the right thing without constant supervision.

Legal Ethical Issues

The organization has found itself in various legal issues that almost tarnished its reputation. In one incidence, AHA was criticized for promoting low-fat diets to stay fit and healthy but had high sodium content and was paid for this advertisement. As eating low-fat diets may be beneficial to one’s health, the high sodium content in them is not. Such kinds of advertisements are a lawsuit away from crumbling the organization.

In an article published by the American Heart Association in 2006, they stated, “You are able to give CPR without fear of legal action.” However, various states have had different approaches to CPR especially concerning citizens who administer them without any background knowledge of CPR. If done wrongly, it could lead to the death of a person and legal lawsuits.

Recommendations to Strengthen Legal and Ethical Compliance

Our committee’s first legal recommendation would be for the organization to double-check its advertisements and analyze whether they may trigger any public backlash. Any advertisement sponsored by AHA should be appropriately evaluated before publishing it under their name.

The second recommendation would be for the company to offer proper guidelines on their stand in CPR. They can also promote proper CPR by advertising how it is correctly done before letting the public know that they can conduct CPR without the fear of any lawsuits.

References

The American Hearts Association. (2021). AHA mission, vision, and the 12 Essential Elements that Guide the AHA Research Program. Retrieved from https://professional.heart.org/en/research-programs/mission-vision-and-essential-elements

The American Hearts Association (2021). Organization Culture. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/

The American Hearts Association (2021). Ethics Policy. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/statements-and-policies/ethics-policy#:~:text=We%20are%20committed%20to%20the,and%20to%20proactively%20promote%20ethical