Code of Ethics of the Anesthesiologist Assistant Profession

PURPOSE: The following principles delineate the standards governing the conduct of anesthesiologist assistants in their professional interactions with patients, colleagues, other health professionals and the general public. While no code can encompass all ethical responsibilities of an anesthesiologist assistant, this enumeration of obligations in the Code of Ethics is not comprehensive and does not constitute a denial of the existence of other obligations, equally imperative, though not specifically mentioned. The anesthesiologist assistant is unique in that he or she is educated as a member of a team and not as an autonomous professional. The physician, not the anesthesiologist assistant, assumes ultimate responsibility for decisions regarding care of the patient. In this relationship, it is possible that ethical principles of the anesthesiologist assistant may sometimes differ from those of the supervising physician. The following principles are intended as guidelines to be used as a resource when trying to decide the morally proper behavior in a given situation. The anesthesiologist assistant should demonstrate respect for the dignity and individuality of his or her patients, colleagues, and other members of the health professions. Above all the anesthesiologist assistant must maintain the utmost respect for human life. (1) Anesthesiologist assistants shall: (A) Be committed to providing competent medical care, assuming as their primary responsibility the health, safety, welfare, and dignity of all patients; (B) Deliver needed health care services to patients without regard to sex, age, race, creed, socioeconomic and political status, or sexual orientation; (C) Adhere to all state and federal laws governing informed consent concerning the patient’s health care; (D) Seek consultation with their supervising physician, other health providers, or qualified professionals having special skills, knowledge or experience whenever the welfare of the patient will be safeguarded or advanced by such consultation. Supervision should include ongoing communication between the physician and the anesthesiologist assistant regarding the care of all patients; (E) Take personal responsibility for being familiar with and adhering to all federal/state laws applicable to the practice of their profession; (F) Provide only those services for which they are qualified via education and/or experience and by pertinent legal regulatory process; (G) Not misrepresent in any manner, either directly or indirectly, their skills, training, professional credentials, identity, or services; (H) Uphold the doctrine of confidentiality regarding privileged patient information, unless required to release such information by law or such information becomes necessary to protect the welfare of the patient or the community; (I) Strive to maintain and increase the quality of individual health care service through individual study and continuing education; (J) Have the duty to respect the law, to uphold the dignity of the profession and to accept its ethical principles. Anesthesiologist assistants shall not participate in or conceal any activity that will bring discredit or dishonor to the anesthesiologist assistants profession and shall expose, without fear or favor, any illegal or unethical conduct in the medical profession; (K) Use the knowledge and experience acquired as professionals to contribute to an improved community; and (L) Place service before material gain and must carefully guard against conflicts of professional interest. AUTHORITY: sections 334.125, RSMo 2000 and 334.414, RSMo Supp. 2005.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 150-9.130. Original rule filed Jan. 17, 2006, effective Aug. 30, 2006. Moved to 20 CSR 2150-9.130, effective Aug. 28, 2006. *Original authority: 334.125, RSMo 1959, amended 1993, 1995 and 334.414, RSMo 2003.