EthicsEthics

5/2/2013

Difference between ethics and morals

Morals: personal beliefs

Ethics: standards or codes of behavior expected by the group to which the individual belongs

Could be national ethics, social ethics, company ethics, professional ethics, or even family ethics

Ethics vs Morals in the courtroom

Morals: criminal defense lawyer personally finds murder immoral and reprehensible,

Ethics: must defend client even knowing defendent is guilty and may murder again.

Legal ethics must override personal morals for greater good of upholding a justice system in which accused are given a fair trial and prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt

WorkplaceEthics and morals can clash is at workplace where

Company ethics vs personal morality

Examples: Performing unnecessary x-rays to make

money for hospital

Taking unnecessary x-rays to prove pt. is unharmed by any action that takes place during exam or hospital stay to protect against future lawsuits even though there is no doubt pt. is fine

Conflict of Ethics and morals

The fact that abortion is legal - medically ethical, while many people find it personally immoral

Different ideas about what is moral: Fundamentalists, extremists, and every day person have very different viewpoints

ARRT Code of Ethics

• As of 8/1/09

Condensed and interpreted by T Hall

1.

• RT conducts self in professional manner

• Responds to pt. needs

• Supports associates and colleagues in providing quality health care

2.

• RT acts to advance profession

• Provide services to humanity with full respect for dignity of mankind

3.• RT delivers pt care without bias to:

– Personal attributes– Disease or illness– Sex– Race – Creed or religion – Economic status

4.

• RT uses knowledge to operate equipment only for the purposes designed

• Applies procedures and techniques appropriately

5.

• RT assesses situation, uses care and judgment and discretion

• Assumes responsibility for actions

• Acts in best interest of pt

6.

• RT observes and talks to pt to get information for Dr. that will be helpful in diagnosis and treatment

• Does not read x-rays or offer diagnosis

7.

• RT demonstrates expertise in control of radiation to pt, self and others

8.

• RT practices ethical conduct appropriate to profession

• Protects pt’s right to quality radiologic technology care

9.

• RT respects confidences and privacy of pt

• Reveals confidential information only when required by law or to protect the welfare of individual or community

10.

• RT strives to improve knowledge and skills through

– CE– Professional activities– Sharing knowledge– Investigating new aspects of professional

practice

ARRT Rules of Ethics

As interpreted and condensed by T Hall

The Mandatory standards of acceptable professional conduct for all RTs as set forth by ARRT

Violation could cause temporary or permanent loss of license!

1.

• Using fraud or deceit to procure, maintain or renew state license

2.

• Cheating on ARRT exam

Copying or communicating with another

Having another person take the test

Stealing test from exam room

3. Not reporting-

• Conviction of a felonyor misdemeanor (no speeding or parking tickets need be

reported)

• Any alcohol or drug violations– Criminal proceedings where you are found guilty

• Military court martials:

involving, sex, drugs or pt. related infractions

4. Failure to report to ARRT:

• Charges that may cost you your license in x-ray or in any allied medical field in state where you are working

• Or that you have been refused to be given license by any state

5.

• Failure to perform radiologic technology with reasonable safety or skill

6.

• Engaging in unprofessional conduct

• Failure to follow federal, state or local rules regarding radiologic technology

• Any practice creating unnecessary danger to pt life, health or safety

– Actual injury does not have to be established

7.

• Accepting or delegating any RT function that might reasonably harm Pt.

– No one actually has to be harmed

8.

• Actual or potential inability to perform duties with reasonable skill and safety to pt. due to:

• illness, drugs, alcohol or any mental or physical condition

9.

Continuing to practice after you have been declared:

Mentally ill, chemically dependent or a danger to the public by the court

10.

• Any unethical behavior involving trying to deceive, defraud or harm public

• Careless disregard for health, welfare safety of pt.

– (actual injury need not be established)

11.

• Engaging in behavior that is sexual or could be interpreted as sexual

• Seductive behavior

• Sexually exploitive behavior

• (rule does not apply to pre-existing consensual relationships)

12.

• Revealing privileged information about pt unless permitted or required by law

13.• Knowingly engaging in fraudulent billing

practices (including medicare and medicaid)

14.

• Failure to keep adequate pt records

• Refusing to refurnish record or report required by law

• Falsifying or making misleading entries

15.

• Allowing person without a license, or up-to date license to practice radiology

16.

• Violating any federal or state rules relating to radiography

• Or relating to narcotics or controlled substances

17.

• Knowingly falsifying information relating to care of a present or past patient

• Practicing outside the scope of your license

18.

19.

• Failing to cooperate with ARRT ethics committee

• Making false statements, knowingly providing false information, or failing to cooperate with any investigation by ARRT

20.

• Engaging in false or deceptive communications to anyone re:

– Individual’s education, training, credentials

regarding license or permits or certificates

21.

Knowing of any violation of Rules or Ethics by a tech or student

and failing to promptly report in writing to ARRT!

22.

• Failing to immediately report error to supervisor about :– imaging, care or treatment of pt. that might be

considered harmful or unethical

• Or omissions or negligence of duties that should have been performed

• Doesn’t matter if pt was injured or not!

23. Continuing Education (CE)

• Sending in false statements

• Sharing answers

• Verifying unearned CE credits or providing false certificates