The ACHE (American College of Healthcare Executives) Code of Ethics is utilized in precisely the same manner as the code of ethics of any other professional body in that it is designed to lay down a series of rules and regulations by which the reputation, professionalism, and good name of the organization as a whole can be better protected, served, and enhanced as the case may be. The code of ethics helps guide the ultimate decisions of the healthcare executives, providing them with a focal point of reference to which they can rely upon in all times of doubt, difficulty, and moral ambiguity. A healthcare executive will have to make tough, emotionally draining decisions and there will be times when such choices may run counter to the personal feelings or politics of the healthcare executive in question.

The ACHE Code of Ethics is broken down into a number of different niches and subcategories, all of which seek to address specific issues that may arise during the commission and performance of the health care executive’s duties and functions. The Code imposes obligations upon the healthcare executive to be responsible for their own actions and decisions as the following excerpt shows:

“Disclose to the appropriate authority any direct or indirect financial or personal interests that pose potential or actual conflicts of interest.”

The Code also imposes a further duty upon the executive and that is to ensure that they supervise the actions and conduct of their subordinates in order to promote accountability and personal responsibility for their decisions:

“A member of the College who has reasonable grounds to believe that another member has violated this Code has a duty to communicate such facts to the Ethics Committee.”

The code is intended to be more than just a checklist for proper procedure, but also to promote the fundamental rights of the patients under their care:

“Work to ensure that all people have reasonable access to healthcare services.”

 http://ethics.iit.edu/indexOfCodes-2.php?key=13_375_1321