Code of Ethics

PURPOSE: This rule establishes the code of ethics for respiratory care practitioners and for holders of temporary permits issued by the board. (1) All respiratory care practitioners and permit holders shall— (A) Demonstrate behavior that reflects integrity, supports objectivity, and fosters trust in the profession and its professionals; (B) Actively maintain and continually improve professional competence, and represent it accurately; (C) Perform only those procedures or functions in which s/he is individually competent and which are within the scope of accepted and responsible practice; (D) Respect and protect the legal and personal rights of patients, including the right to informed consent and refusal of treatment; (E) Divulge no confidential information regarding any patient or family unless disclosure is required for responsible performance of duty, or required by law; (F) Provide care without discrimination on any basis, with respect for the rights and dignity of all individuals; (G) Promote disease prevention and wellness; (H) Refuse to participate in illegal or unethical acts, or conceal illegal, unethical or incompetent acts of others; (I) Follow sound scientific procedures and ethical principles in research; (J) Comply with state and federal laws; (K) Avoid any form of conduct that creates a conflict of interest, and shall follow the principles of professional ethical business behaviors; (L) Promote the positive evolution of the profession, and health care, through improvement of the access, efficacy, and cost of patient care; (M) Refrain from indiscriminate and unnecessary use of resources, both economical and natural, in the practice of respiratory care; and (N) Within the limits of the law, a respiratory care practitioner or permit holder shall report to the board all knowledge of suspected violations of the laws and rules governing the practice of a respiratory care practitioner as defined in section 334.810, RSMo, and any other applicable laws and rules. (2) Failure of a respiratory care practitioner or permit holder to adhere to the code of ethics constitutes grounds for discipline of the license or permit. AUTHORITY: sections 334.800, 334.840.2, 334.850, 334.910 and 334.920, RSMo Supp. 1997.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 255-5.010. Emergency rule filed June 25, 1998, effective July 6, 1998, expired Feb. 25, 1999. Original rule filed June 25, 1998, effective Jan. 30, 1999. Moved to 20 CSR 2255-5.010, effective Aug. 28, 2006. *Original authority: 334.800, RSMo 1996; 334.840, RSMo 1996: 334.850, RSMo 1996; 334.910, RSMo 1996; and 334.920, RSMo 1996.