SECTION 435:45-5-4. Standards of ethics and professional conduct


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  • (a)   Purpose. The rules in this section on the profession of respiratory care practitioners shall be to establish the standards of professional conduct and code of ethics required of a licensee.
    (b)   Ethical and professional principles. In the conduct of their professional activities the respiratory care practitioner shall be bound by the following ethical and professional principles. Respiratory care practitioners shall:
    (1)   Demonstrate behavior that reflects integrity, supports objectivity, and fosters trust in the professional and its professionals.
    (2)   Actively maintain and continually improve their professional competence, and represent it accurately.
    (3)   Perform only those procedures or functions in which they are individually competent and which are within the scope of accepted and responsible practice.
    (4)   Respect and protect the legal and personal rights of patients they treat, including the right to informed consent and refusal of treatment.
    (5)   Divulge no confidential information regarding any patient or family unless disclosure is required for responsible performance of duty, or required by law.
    (6)   Provide care without discrimination on any basis, with respect for the rights and dignity of all individuals.
    (7)   Promote disease prevention and wellness.
    (8)   Refuse to participate in illegal or unethical acts, and shall refuse to conceal illegal, unethical or incompetent acts of others.
    (9)   Follow sound scientific procedures and ethical principles in research.
    (10)   Comply with state or federal laws that govern and relate to their practice.
    (11)   Avoid any form of conduct that creates a conflict of interest, and shall follow the principles of ethical business behavior.
    (12)   Promote the positive evolution of the professional, and health care in general, through improvement of the access, efficacy, and cost of patient care.
    (13)   Refrain from indiscriminate and unnecessary use of resources, both economic and natural, in their practice.
[Source: Added at 18 Ok Reg 2646, eff 7-12-01]