· Practicing the profession with honesty, fairness, integrity, respect and good faith, avoiding conduct which would result in harm to others and promoting conduct which reflects well on the profession;
· Identifying, acknowledging, and disclosing potential conflict of interest;
· Complying with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and accrediting standards that impact the delivery of healthcare;
· Conducting oneself as a leader in professional behavior that will merit the trust, confidence, and respect of patients, healthcare professionals and the general public;
· Maintaining and improving professional skills, knowledge and competence;
· Advancing professional standards by supporting risk management research for the evolution of best practices;
· Participating in activities that support and enhance the credibility and dignity of the healthcare risk management profession;
· Maintaining and respecting professional confidences;
· Upholding the mission of the Louisiana Lagniappe Society for Healthcare Risk Management; and
· Upholding the integrity of this Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct by agreeing to abide by all rules of conduct prescribed by this Code and by LASHRM's Bylaws.
The Responsibility to Those We Serve
The fundamental objectives of the Healthcare Risk Management Professional are to enhance the overall quality of life, dignity, safety, and well being of every individual needing healthcare services. The Healthcare Risk Management Professional will support these objectives by:
· Respecting the dignity of all individuals by practicing in a non-discriminatory manner;
· Promoting an environment that supports a non-punitive approach to systems improvement;
· Investigating event factors with due diligence so that steps can be taken to reduce the likelihood of similar injury to other patients and to protect the next patient;
· Communicating and disclosing information to patients and, when appropriate, others, honestly and factually;
· Advising employing organizations and/or colleagues when existing policies, procedures or behaviors are inconsistent with this Code;
· Advocating on behalf of patients' rights;
· Using our knowledge and position in ways that enhance fair and honest communication, avoid manipulation, and not take undue advantage of those with whom we have professional interactions other than patients;
· Respecting that patients and their families are equal partners in the healthcare delivery process and entitled to fair, respectful, and equitable treatment and should not be taken advantage of; and
· Disclosing confidential information only when such disclosure is appropriately authorized or when law requires such disclosure.
Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest exists when the Healthcare Risk Management Professional is called upon to serve competing interests. Some conflicts of interest, such as transactions with a former employer or dealings with past business associates, may be acceptable as long as disclosure of the conflict is made to all involved parties. Other conflicts, such as business transactions which inure to benefit of the Healthcare Risk Management Professional or his/her family members at the expense of others, are unacceptable even if disclosure to all involved parties is made. In order to avoid conflict of interest, the Healthcare Risk Management Professional must:
· Exercise good faith in all transactions;
· Avoid any interests, investments or activities which conflict or appear to conflict with the interests of the employer or client;
· Make full disclosure of all facts of any transaction which involves the possible conflict of interest to all parties involved; and
· Avoid accepting gifts or other considerations, which might influence the Healthcare Risk Management Professional's judgment.