I.  POLICY STATEMENTS
 

The Los Angeles County Health Agency, Department of Health Services (DHS), Department of Public Health (DPH), Department of Mental Health (DMH) and their Labor Union partners are committed to building, maintaining, and supporting a Just Culture.

A Just Culture is one where accountability is fairly balanced between the organizations and the individual Workforce Members.

It is a culture in which Errors, Near Miss Events, Adverse Events, unsafe conditions, and system problems can be easily reported without retaliation, and are seen as a means to identify system and behavior changes that will improve the safety and quality of care and services we deliver.

A Just Culture environment will encourage and empower each Workforce Member to take part in improving the quality of care and services delivered by the Health Agency and its departments.
 

II.  DEFINITIONS
 

Definitions - Just Culture
 

III.  POLICY
 

A Just Culture recognizes that adverse events and unanticipated outcomes are often the result of human error, or system failures, rather than the result of reckless or intentionally malicious behavior, and that individuals are accountable for their individual actions, but generally not errors or problems in system design. To foster this culture, the Health Agency, DMH, DPH, DHS, Labor Union partners, Just Culture Champions, and Workforce Members will utilize a fair and systematic approach that balances a non-punitive learning environment with the equally important need of accountability. This shall include evaluation for System Contributors that allow or encourage unwanted human error or behavioral choices and identification of system modifications that will prevent recurrence or minimize potential harm.

Just Culture principles will be applied whenever there is an opportunity to assess the behavior or performance of a Workforce Member.

Response to errors, Near Misses, and Adverse Events will be influenced by the individual's behavioral choices, not the outcome of the event.

Workforce Members will not be punished or retaliated against for reporting an error, near miss, Adverse Event, system problem, safety or quality concern.

When indicated, Workforce Members will be held accountable and appropriate corrective action taken. Actions will be consistent with Just Culture principles, AND with DHS/DPH/DMH Discipline Manual and Guidelines, County Civil Service Rules, and DHS/DPH/DMH policies and procedures. Workforce Members will not be held accountable for system flaws over which they have no control.

A Workforce Member may ask for a union representative or witness (as applicable) if he/she feels that a meeting may lead to discipline.

The Departments will make reasonable efforts to work with staff and their Labor Union partners to redesign the system or its components to prevent and/or mitigate unintended risks or harm.

This policy does not replace existing County and Agency Department policies and procedures related to reporting, responding to, investigating, and documenting an observed or reported errors, near misses, adverse events, complaints, or safety or quality concerns, etc. Each Health Agency Department will adopt this policy as a Departmental policy.
 

IV.  PROCEDURES
 

Procedures - Just Culture
 

V.  AUTHORITIES