Ethics

Ethics

1. Not laws, but are standards of conduct generally accepted as a moral guide for behavior.

   • Ethical principles should be reflected in administrative procedures
     • Example: the principle of the patient's right to privacy is guaranteed by an administrative rule against discussing a patient's condition to others

2. Bioethics

   • the branch of ethics dealing with issues, questions, and problems that arise in the practice of medicine and in biomedical research
     • Organ donation
     • IVF
     • abortion
     • maintaining life with life sustaining equipment
     • Stem cell research
     • Physician-assisted suicide

3. Principles of Medical Ethics for the Medical Assistant

   • High ethical standards in the workplace
     • Theft is the most common unethical acts that occur in the office
     • Everything seen, heard, or read about a patient is confidential and should not leave the office
     • Apply discretion when speaking and using an intercom or voice pager
     • Avoid talking about anything of a private nature when speaking to a physician via cellular or cordless telephone
     • Never discuss a patient's condition within hearing distance of others
     • Sidestep discussing a patient with acquaintances or the patient's friends
     • Never leave a patients records exposed
     • Remain loyal to your employer; do not criticize the physician to a patient

4. Are you a good person? Do you always do the "right thing"?