WVU Medicine has a strong commitment to providing a safe, healing, inclusive environment at all our locations. WVU Medicine has zero tolerance for the use of threatening or aggressive behavior, abusive language, and threats of physical harm or violence. Words or actions that are disrespectful, racist, discriminatory, hostile, or harassing will not be tolerated.
To maintain a therapeutic environment in the healthcare facility, patients and visitors are expected to refrain from behaviors that are disruptive or pose a threat to the rights or safety of other patients, visitors, staff, or faculty. We pledge to treat patients with respect, honesty, dignity, and compassion. We expect patients and visitors to behave in the same manner. We do not allow behavior by any patient or visitor who mistreats or discriminates against our staff, providers, other patients, or other visitors. This includes in-person encounters, messages in MyWVUChart, emails or letters, phone calls, or any other setting.
Examples of behaviors that will not be tolerated include, but are not limited to:
- Racism – such as offensive or bigoted comments about someone’s race or ethnicity, or sarcastic insults about a person based on their background.
- Discrimination – such as judging, singling out, or treating someone unfairly based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, or skin color; sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression; age; disability; religion; immigration status; genetic information; veteran or active military status; or any other legally protected status.
- Verbal abuse – such as harassing, name calling, yelling, cursing, belittling, or ranting.
- Emotional abuse – such as bullying, stalking, or any acts or words that make our staff or faculty feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
- Sexual abuse – such as unwanted touching or use of sexual or vulgar words, gestures, or other actions.
- Threats – such as any words or actions meant to threaten or intimidate others.
- Physical abuse – such as any violent actions or physical abuse, including throwing things, blocking, hitting, kicking, or spitting.
- Disrupting another patient’s care or experience
Individuals who we believe violate the Patient and Visitor Code of Conduct will be given the opportunity to explain their point of view except in severe circumstances requiring immediate action. A facility representative will carefully consider the response before making any decisions about future non-emergent care at that facility. Actions that may be taken subsequent to Code of Conduct violations include, but are not limited to:
- Discussion of Patient’s Rights and Responsibilities
- Belongings and room search
- Documentation of behavior in medical record
- Visitation restriction
- Revocation of MyWVUChart privileges
- Premises restriction
- Dismissal from non-emergent care
- Notify law enforcement or other legal action
If these behaviors are witnessed, they should be immediately reported to the care team and, as applicable, Security.