Health Services Hotline

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The Pokagon Health Services Hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Below is a Q&A that might clarify the Hotline’s purpose.

Q. What is the Health Services Hotline?
The Hotline is an anonymous reporting tool that allows patients and staff to report potential workplace misconduct.

Q. May I report using either the Internet or the telephone?
Yes, by giving you choices, the Hotline ensures that members of our community can file a report anonymously and in the most comfortable or convenient manner.

Q. Why do we need a reporting tool like the Hotline?
Reporting hotlines have proven to be an effective tool in reducing losses and helping to protect institutional financial strength.

Q. Does Tribal Council really want me to report?

Yes. In fact, we need you to report. You know what is going on in your department, both good and bad. You may have initial knowledge of an activity that may be cause for concern. Your reporting can minimize the negative impact related to potential misconduct.

Q. Does the Hotline replace reporting situations to the manager or other offices?
What type of situations should I report on the Hotline?

The Hotline does not replace any of our standard reporting tools, but there are several good reasons you should also consider using the Hotline. First, the Hotline ensures that your report gets to the appropriate people. More importantly, reports can be filed anonymously, and all report information is secure and held in the strictest confidence.

The Hotline is designed to accept reports for the following type of concerns.

  1. Financial matters relating to accounting or internal control issues, fraud, theft, or other financial issues.
  2. Regulatory matters relating to confidentially issues, falsification of reports, or other issues.
  3. Information technology matters relating to the inappropriate use of technology or misuse of technology resources.
  4. Misconduct of staff relating to citizens.
  5. Any situation in which you were uncomfortable at the clinic.

Q. Is the Hotline an appropriate reporting tool for something as personal and important as sexual harassment?
If you are uncomfortable contacting the Director of Health Services, sexual harassment reports can be taken over the Hotline.

Q. What shouldn’t I report using the Hotline?
The Hotline is not a “911” service for emergency issues or actions.

Q. Can I file a report from home and still remain anonymous?
A report from home, a neighbor’s computer, or any internet portal will remain secure and anonymous. An internet portal never identifies a visitor by screen name, so anonymity is totally maintained. Plus, the Hotline is contractually committed not to pursuing a reporter’s identity.

Q. I am concerned that the information I provide the Hotline will ultimately reveal my identity. How can you assure me that will not happen?
The Hotline system is designed to protect your personal identity. However, you as a reporting party need to ensure that the body of the report does not reveal your identity by accident, for example, “From my cube next to Jan Smith, I saw …” or “In my 33 years…”

Q. I am not sure what I have observed or heard is a violation of policy or misconduct, but it just does not look right to me. What should I do?
File a report. The Hotline can help you prepare and file your report so it can be properly understood. We'd rather you report a situation that turned out to be harmless than let possible misconduct go unchecked because you weren't sure.

Q. Where do these reports go? Who can access them?
Reports are entered directly on a secure server operated by an independent company. The reports are available only to specific individuals within the department who are charged with evaluating the type of violation and location of the incident. Each of these report recipients has had training in keeping these reports in the utmost confidence. The Hotline system and staff are trained and committed to ensuring that no report is ever shared with implicated parties, their peers, or subordinates.