(a) Preamble.

1. (1) The purpose of a code of ethics is to acknowledge a profession’s acceptance of the responsibility and trust conferred upon it by society and to recognize the internal obligations inherent in that trust.

2. (2) The following paragraphs delineate the standards governing the conduct of orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic providers in their professional interactions with:

   1. (A) Patients;
   2. (B) Colleagues;
   3. (C) Other health professionals; and
   4. (D) The general public.

3. (3) Realizing that no code can encompass all ethical responsibilities of the orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic providers, this enumeration of obligations in the code of ethics:

   1. (A) Is not comprehensive; and
   2. (B) Does not constitute a denial of the existence of other obligations, equally imperative, and not specifically mentioned herein.
4. (4) This code of ethics shall be binding on all orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic providers in Arkansas.

(b) Canon 1. Orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic providers must:

1. (1) Uphold the dignity and honor of the profession;
2. (2) Accept its disciplines; and
3. (3) Expose, without hesitation, illegal, unethical, and incompetent conduct. Interpretive statements. Orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic providers are part of a collaborative effort to deliver proper health care to the patient under the Orthotic, Prosthetic, and Pedorthic Provider’s care. The orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic provider has a personal, as well as a professional, obligation to protect and safeguard the patients from illegal and/or unethical actions or the incompetence of any person. The orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic provider must maintain personal integrity and establish the appropriate means to fully protect his or her freedom of conscience for the delivery of services to the patient. The orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic provider who demonstrates incompetence or illegal conduct as it pertains to the code of ethics shall be exposed to the proper authorities.

(c) Canon 2. Orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic providers shall:

1. (1) Respect the patient’s rights and dignity; and
2. (2) Uphold the doctrine of confidentiality regarding privileged patient information. Interpretive statements. Information about the patient’s clinical situation will be kept confidential, unless otherwise required by law, in order to protect the welfare of an individual or community. Written guidelines or protocols of an institution or department may be instrumental in deciding the manner in which confidential information is handled for release.

(d) Canon 3.

1. (1) Orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic providers shall provide only those services for which they are qualified.

2. (2) Orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic providers shall not misrepresent in any manner, either directly or indirectly, their:

   1. (A) Skills;
   2. (B) Training;
   3. (C) Professional credentials;
   4. (D) Identity; or
   5. (E) Services. Interpretive statements. Orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic providers will accept responsibility for the exercise of sound judgment in the delivery of services to the patient and shall be accountable for the quality of the service provided. Orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic providers will provide accurate information about the profession, and services they provide, as well as the prosthetic, and pedorthic provider’s own qualifications. Orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic providers shall not engage in practices beyond their competence or training. Orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic providers shall not delegate to a less qualified person any activity, which requires the unique skill, knowledge, and judgment of a formally educated orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic provider. Services rendered by supportive personnel will be under the supervision of a formally educated orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic provider.

(g) Canon 6.

1. (1) An orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic provider shall:

   1. (A) At all times hold the well-being of the patient to be paramount; and
   2. (B) Not act in such a way as to bring the member’s interests into conflict with the patient’s interests.

2. (2) An orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic provider shall deliver healthcare services without regard to:

   1. (A) Race;
   2. (B) Color;
   3. (C) Creed;
   4. (D) National origin;
   5. (E) Sex;
   6. (F) Age;
   7. (G) Religion;
   8. (H) Sexual preference; or
   9. (I) Physical and/or mental condition. Interpretive statements. Orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic providers’ practice and adherence to ethical principles shall take preference over business practices. Orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic providers shall place service before material gain. Orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic providers shall fully disclose to clientele other business practices that may appear as conflicts of interest to clientele and/or the public. These may include but are not limited to: 1) Consultant for fee; 2) Clinical instructor (support staff for industry); 3) Sales representative; 4) Technical advisor; 5) Lecture for fee; or 6) Acceptance of fees, gratuities, funding from industry.

(h) To this end, the State Board of Health holds that each orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic provider has the following ethical and professional responsibilities:

1. (1) The orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic provider will always attempt to fairly evaluate all competing products and services, with the principal selection criteria being that of regard for patient safety and well-being; and
2. (2) The orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic provider shall always base any decision on product and service selection on clinical evaluations and documented clinical and scientific data.