Principles guiding our operations
The operations of the Blood Service are guided by both the ethical principles of the Red Cross and our own principles, which have been refined over the years.
Quality Principles
The Blood Service’s operations are strictly regulated, and the existence of the entire institution requires compliance with regulations. Laws and regulations, customer needs and requirements, and the Blood Service’s strategy define the quality objectives of the operations.
The quality policy guides the leadership and operations of the Blood Service. Quality is strongly integrated into management and is present in the entire company’s management system. The staff’s quality management expertise, as well as making processes functional, efficient, and safe, form the basis for the continuous improvement of the entire organization’s operations. All levels of the organization (management, supervisors, and staff) utilize quality thinking, which has been implemented in the everyday operations of all functions.
Quality and risk management processes define the methods used to ensure patient safety, the safety and availability of donors and products, and the smoothness and appropriateness of processes.
Principles for Economy and Governance
The Blood Service is a non-profit organization. The operations of the Blood Service are not funded by public resources, income from other Red Cross activities, or other external sources, except for research projects supported by cooperation agreements, grants, and donations.
Any financial surplus of the Blood Service, i.e., the annual profit, is not distributed but used to ensure the continuity and development of the Blood Service’s operations.
The Finnish Red Cross has a research fund that supports the Blood Service’s research and development activities.
The Blood Service’s results are part of the Finnish Red Cross’s results. The Blood Service follows the financial rules of the Finnish Red Cross approved by the organization’s board, along with the supplementary financial and procurement rules of the Blood Service.
Decision-making in the Blood Service follows good governance practices, where decision-making responsibilities are clear and decisions are carefully documented. The starting point is that decisions are well-considered, within the decision-maker’s authority, in line with the Blood Service’s interests, economically advantageous, and made in compliance with the law, internal rules, and procedures.
Principles for Personnel
The Blood Service follows an equitable personnel policy according to shared rules. The goal of the Blood Service is to be a work community where there is an atmosphere of trust and where the staff has the desire and ability to succeed both as individuals and as a community. The principles of personnel management are defined in the personnel management guidelines.
The work community is systematically developed within the Blood Service, and staff is actively listened to and involved in the development process. The status and development of the work community are continuously measured through staff surveys. Supervisory work is developed through planned training and education as well as through cooperation among supervisors.
Principles for Research Activities
The Blood Service adheres to the ethical guidelines for research and good scientific practice set by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture’s Research Ethics Council (Regulation 1347/1991). The researcher is ultimately responsible for the ethical conduct of their research, but the entire Blood Service shares this responsibility and supports the establishment of ethically sustainable practices.
All research projects carried out by the Blood Service must comply with relevant legislation and have the necessary permits. Additionally, if the research involves Blood Service samples or products, the research must have an approved delivery permit from the Blood Service.
Red Cross Principles
The activities of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are guided by seven fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, universality, and unity. These principles also guide the work of the Finnish Red Cross.
Ethical Guidelines for Red Cross Employees
The purpose of the Finnish Red Cross is to protect life and health in all circumstances and to defend human dignity and human rights, promote international cooperation and peace, save lives in Finland and abroad, assist the most vulnerable to prevent and alleviate human suffering, support and assist the authorities during both peace and war as well as armed conflicts to promote the well-being of people, promote social responsibility and the spirit of helping among citizens, increase understanding of the Red Cross’s work and universal humanitarian efforts, and strengthen the organization’s readiness and operational capacity. We are committed to the culture of operation based on the principles of the Red Cross.
Reporting Misconduct Suspicions
The Finnish Red Cross follows the highest ethical principles and laws in all its operations. Therefore, we encourage volunteers, members, other partners, and our staff to report any suspicions related to misconduct or unethical behavior.
Zero Tolerance for Harassment
The Finnish Red Cross has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment, harassment, and exploitation. Sexual harassment, harassment, and exploitation violate the principles and values of our organization. Even one case is too many for us.
We do everything in our power to prevent sexual harassment, harassment, and exploitation, and respond immediately to any suspicions and incidents that come to our attention. All cases of harassment are addressed, and sexual harassment is condemned.