HUH COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT PORTAL
Reporting & Ethics
At Howard University Hospital, compliance and ethics are the foundation of trust, quality, and patient safety. Reporting concerns helps identify and prevent issues before they impact care or integrity. Every report—big or small—strengthens our culture of accountability and transparency. By speaking up and following ethical standards, we uphold HUH’s mission to deliver compassionate, equitable, and compliant care to every patient we serve. Integrity starts with you—see something, say something.
At Howard University Hospital, we all share responsibility for maintaining a culture of integrity and accountability. If you see or suspect misconduct—such as violations of policy, patient privacy, billing errors, discrimination, safety issues, or unethical behavior—please speak up.
You can report concerns confidentially or anonymously through any of the following:
📧 Email: HUH_Compliance@huhosp.org
📞 Hotline: 1-800-654-0323 (Available 24/7, Confidential and may be anonymous)
📍 In Person: Compliance Office, 2041 Georgia Avenue, NW, Suite 2106
All reports are taken seriously, investigated promptly, and handled with discretion. Retaliation against anyone who reports in good faith is strictly prohibited. Supervisor or Department Leader: Reports made to supervisors must be promptly forwarded to the Compliance Department.Your voice protects our patients, colleagues, and community. Integrity starts with you.
Purpose
Howard University Hospital (HUH) is committed to fostering a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability. The purpose of this process is to ensure that all compliance-related reports, allegations, or concerns are reviewed, investigated, and resolved promptly, fairly, and consistently. The goal is to uphold Howard University Hospital’s (HUH) values of integrity, accountability, and transparency while protecting the rights and confidentiality of all involved parties. This policy ensures that all employees, medical staff, contractors, and volunteers can raise compliance, ethics, or safety concerns without fear of retaliation.
Policy Statement
HUH strictly prohibits retaliation against any individual who, in good faith, reports a compliance concern, participates in an investigation, or seeks guidance from the Compliance Department. Retaliation of any kind—including intimidation, harassment, demotion, discrimination, or adverse employment action—is not tolerated and will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Reporting concerns is a vital part of our shared responsibility to uphold ethical conduct and protect patients, staff, and the hospital’s reputation.
Good Faith Reporting
“Good faith” means that an individual honestly believes the information they are providing is true, even if a subsequent investigation finds no violation. Employees are encouraged to ask questions or raise concerns when something seems inconsistent with laws, regulations, or HUH policies.
Protection from Retaliation
HUH will promptly investigate all allegations of retaliation. Anyone found to have retaliated against an employee for reporting or participating in a compliance matter will face appropriate corrective action. The hospital is committed to protecting every member of our workforce who demonstrates courage and integrity by speaking up for what’s right.
Our Commitment
At Howard University Hospital, compliance is everyone’s responsibility. When we report concerns without fear, we strengthen our culture of trust, uphold our mission of service, and protect the patients and community we proudly serve. Integrity starts with all of us—speak up, stay protected, and help keep HUH compliant and ethical.
Purpose
At Howard University Hospital, compliance investigations are not about assigning blame—they’re about protecting our patients, employees, and institution. Every report helps us improve, strengthen accountability, and uphold our shared mission of excellence in patient care and ethical conduct.
1. Intake and Preliminary Review
Upon receiving a report, the Compliance Department:
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Logs the concern into the confidential compliance tracking system.
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Performs an initial review to determine the nature, credibility, and potential risk of the issue.
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Determines whether immediate action or escalation (e.g., Legal, HR, Risk Management, or Safety) is required.
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Assigns an investigator and establishes a timeline for review.
2. Investigation Planning
The Compliance Team outlines an investigation plan that includes:
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Scope and objectives of the investigation.
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Identification of relevant policies, procedures, and regulations.
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List of potential witnesses, documents, and data sources.
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Timeline and documentation standards to ensure consistency and objectivity.
3. Conducting the Investigation
Investigations are conducted promptly, confidentially, and professionally.
The process may include:
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Interviewing witnesses, complainants, and relevant staff.
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Reviewing documentation, medical records, billing data, or system logs.
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Assessing compliance with laws, policies, and ethical standards.
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Maintaining detailed records of all findings, evidence, and communications.
All investigations are guided by principles of fairness, confidentiality, and impartiality.
4. Findings and Resolution
After completing the investigation, the Compliance Department:
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Summarizes findings and determines whether a violation occurred.
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Recommends corrective actions, such as training, policy updates, process improvements, or disciplinary measures.
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Collaborates with leadership, Legal, HR, or departmental management to ensure appropriate follow-up.
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Closes the case once corrective actions are completed and documented.
5. Communication and Feedback
When appropriate, the Compliance Department provides outcome feedback to the reporting party, respecting confidentiality and privacy.
Leadership is informed of trends or systemic issues that require broader attention or education.
6. Continuous Improvement
The Compliance Department regularly reviews investigation data and outcomes to:
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Identify recurring risks or vulnerabilities.
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Update training and policies.
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Strengthen preventive measures and promote a culture of integrity.
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – Office of Inspector General (OIG)
Guidance on healthcare fraud prevention, compliance programs, and ethical conduct.
https://oig.hhs.gov
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The Joint Commission – Office of Quality and Patient Safety
Information on accreditation standards and ethical obligations in clinical care.
https://www.jointcommission.org
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U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC)
Federal whistleblower protection information for employees who report misconduct.
https://osc.gov
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Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA)
National resources on healthcare compliance, ethics, and professional standards.
https://www.hcca-info.org -