ACHE Code of Ethics*
* As amended by the Board of Governors on November 10, 2003.

THE HEALTHCARE EXECUTIVE'S RESPONSIBILITIES TO PATIENTS
OR OTHERS SERVED

The healthcare executive shall, within the scope of his or her authority:

1. Work to ensure the existence of a process to evaluate the quality of care or service rendered;
2. Avoid practicing or facilitating discrimination and institute safeguards to prevent discriminatory organizational practices;
3. Work to ensure the existence of a process that will advise patients or others served of the rights, opportunities, responsibilities, and risks regarding available healthcare services;
4. Work to ensure that there is a process in place to facilitate the resolution of conflicts that may arise when values of patients and their families differ from those of employees and physicians;
5. Demonstrate zero tolerance for any abuse of power that compromises patients or others served;
6. Work to provide a process that ensures the autonomy and self-determination of patients or others served; and
7. Work to ensure the existence of procedures that will safeguard the confidentiality and privacy of patients or others served.

Arkansas Health Executives Forum
Contact: Phil Gilmore, FACHE, President