For your professional ethics edification in October

Once a month the ACPE Professional Ethics Commission (PEC) posts a couple of statements from our Code of Professional Ethics for ACPE Members. Each posting is accompanied by a brief personal reflection from a member of the PEC discussing some ways this person lives these commitments.*

In conducting business matters, ACPE members:

• Carry out administrative responsibilities in a timely and professional manner.
• Implement sound fiscal practices, maintain accurate financial records, and protect the integrity of funds entrusted to their care.

Julie Hanada, ACPE Certified Educator from St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT, comments:

When I first read this code, I thought, “But of course.” Then I realized I say this to all of our ethics standards. Of course we should affirm and respect those in our care, our colleagues in ACPE and outside, and be professional and responsible in the manner we conduct business matters. I believe that in our hearts we all want to do the right thing and think we behave appropriately and responsibly. Most of the time we do. And, we have all learned the difference between intent and impact.

Despite my awareness of these standards, I recall an instance where I fell short of my own responsibilities.  Several years ago I was contacted by an individual about the status of her application. We had deposited her application fee, and I completed an initial review. Yet, I dropped the ball and did not respond back with a decision, and the applicant was left wondering. When I admitted my error, the applicant felt rightfully angry and hurt. While I assessed the applicant might not be ready for CPE, I doubt that she would have believed me. My credibility and integrity, and that of our center, was lost to the applicant and any of her peers or colleagues. We felt awful about it and looked at our processes to make sure we did not do that again. Who else among us has done this? This is not to say that it is OK, but it acknowledges that even with our best intentions we mess up, which can lead to lasting consequences.

Our codes were not designed to be about punishment or to condemn rare instances.

They outline standards that describe behaviors to which we agree and hold each other accountable, and that those in our care and with whom we are in relationship can expect from us. These standards do not just apply in the abstract, but require us to remain vigilant and make sure we do our best to incorporate them into each aspect of our professional lives. Doing otherwise can have unintended negative consequences and on those we serve, and conveys a message of disrespect, disregard and negligence.

*Every situation is unique, and any member should not act based solely on the comments in the article but to base action on an independent review of the ethical standards applicable to his/her situation.