Integrity is one of the five core values of Skagit Regional Health. This value states:

We act ethically and responsibly in everything we do and hold ourselves – and each other – accountable for our behavior.

Integrity is defined as the quality of being fair and honest, having strong moral principles, and having a firm adherence to a code of moral values. Integrity in healthcare can be demonstrated in simple ways such as keeping patients informed of wait times, practicing HIPAA compliance with sensitive medical information and admitting mistakes.

Skagit Regional Health general surgeon Dr. James Barger believes in building trust with patients because when patients trust their medical team, they are more open to receiving information about their care and working together for better outcomes. Dr. Barger also believes that building trust with colleagues improves communication, which forms the basis for better collaboration, which ultimately benefits the patient.

Watch the video to listen to Dr. Barger describe how he acts with integrity when treating and caring for his patients.