​Member Code of Ethics

PREAMBLE
The purpose of the Member Code of Ethics is to serve as a standard of conduct for home health, hospice, and palliative care agencies. The organization encourages all home-based care providers, regardless of membership affiliation, to subscribe to the Member Code of Ethics.

VISION
That home-based health care is an integral component of high-quality health care delivery models.

MEMBER CODE OF ETHICS
We, as home-based care provider agencies, dedicate ourselves to carrying out the vision of the organization. We will do the following:

PATIENTS/COMMUNITY

1. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of professional duties.
2.  Recognize that the chief function of our organization is at all times to serve the best interests of our patients.
3. Respect and protect privileged information to which we have access in the course of our official duties.
4. Strive for personal and professional excellence and encourage the professional development of others.
5. Assist patients and family members in engaging and participating in the plan of care.

AGENCY

1. Accept as a personal duty the responsibility to keep up-to-date on emerging issues and to conduct ourselves with professional competence, fairness, impartiality, efficiency and effectiveness.
2. Respect the structure and responsibilities of our organization’s board, provide them with facts and advice as a basis for their making policy decision and uphold and implement policies adopted by the board.
3. Keep patients served, providers supportedand policy-makers informed about issues affecting them.
4. Support the delivery of patient-centered care.
5. Avoid any interest or activity that is in conflict with the conduct of our official duties.
6. Provide responsible financial stewardship of our organization.

INDUSTRY

1. Conduct our organizational and operational duties with positive leadership exemplified by open communication, creativity, dedication, business development integrity and compassion.
2. Exercise whatever discretionary authority we have under the law to carry out the mission of our organization.
3. Serve with respect, concern, courtesy and responsiveness in carrying out our organization’s mission.
4.  Demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, honesty and fortitude in all our activities in order to inspire confidence and trust in our activities.
5. Avoid any interest or activity that is in conflict with the conduct of our official duties.
6. Work collaboratively with other members, industry peers, allied organizations and stakeholders.
7.  Advocate for the needs of our patients.