Achievements and Challenges of the Regulatory Compliance Program in a Large Philanthropical Hospital Institution

Objective: The objective of this work was to do a self-assessment of the Regulatory Compliance (RC) program of Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte Group (SCBH) using the methodology validated nationally by the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU) for detailing the achievements and challenges in six primary areas of RC. Theoretical framework: The RC program was established at the end of 2018 in the SCBH to ensure the compliance and ethics of the processes performed by all people who participate or perform their professional activities in any of the units that make up the institution. Different methodologies for evaluating RC programs are available in the non-academic literature; to our knowledge, they have not been applied in a structured empirical way in philanthropical hospitals. Design/methodology/approach: The present work used a methodology validated nationally by the CGU within an exploratory and documentary approach. SCBH's profile was evaluated by verifying the company's degree of exposure to compliance and integrity risks (acts of corruption or misconduct). Evidence documents demonstrating SCBH's performance in six significant themes were also evaluated. Finally, the achievements and challenges of the RC were discussed based on the SCBH performance in all estimated items. Findings: The RC program was created in 2018 and is in a consolidated stage of maturity in the primary criteria evaluated by the CGU: a score greater than 70 points and at least 40% of the score in each area assessed. Research, Practical & Social implications: This research brings practical and managerial contributions. From a practical perspective, this work shows the consolidation of the RC area as a strategic part of the business environment, seeking coherence between thought, speech, and action. From a managerial perspective, this work confirms the importance of shared responsibility among the entire institution in building a culture of ethical and legal compliance. Originality/value: This is the first RC self-assessment work carried out by a philanthropic institution. The healthcare market has driven the establishment of an RC area in Brazilian institutions. Regardless of regulation and external audit processes, healthcare institutions have sought to improve business relations and create a critical organizational mass.