Ethics

Ethics are the moral principles that govern EMS providers' behavior in service to their profession, organization and community.

The EMT Code of Ethics, written by Charles B. Gillespie, M.D., and adopted by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, spells out the pledges for ethical behavior as an EMS practitioner, including, in part, "To provide services based on human need, with compassion and respect for human dignity, unrestricted by consideration of nationality, race, creed, color, or status; to not judge the merits of the patient’s request for service, nor allow the patient’s socioeconomic status to influence our demeanor or the care that we provide."

This code of ethics governs EMS providers' actions in regards to patient privacy, professional competence and education, and social media use.

The ethics topic contains news, strategies and expert-written articles for EMTs, AEMTs, paramedics, and EMS leaders on the importance of understanding ethics, acting ethically as a caregiver, ethical decision making as a field provider or leader, the consequences of unethical decisions and actions, and how to lead ethically.

Sort by:

Hurricane deployment is not Beach Week for Ambulance Strike Teams
–

Operating in the public eye under conditions that may require evacuation or assisting colleagues at a moment’s notice means responders must be ready 24/7
Are EMS treatment disparities related to race or class?
–

Ensuring equitable treatment for all communities begins with understanding how unintentional racism can produce racist outcomes in EMS
Sponsored content

Improving equity in prehospital care (eBook)
–

ESO - EMS1

Despite the best efforts of EMS providers, gaps persist – learn what goes into them and what you can do about them.
Palliative and hospice care in the prehospital setting
–

Additional training can help providers who want to do right by patients involved in hospice and end-of-life care
FDNY EMT nabbed stealing from patient in integrity test
–

Luis Carrillo Jr. faces up to four years in prison after being caught taking an investigator’s wallet while inside an ambulance
Mass. ambulance company to pay $2.6M over false service claims
–

Mass. Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office announced a settlement between MedStar Ambulance, Inc. and MassHealth
San Diego paramedic charged with burglary, identity theft, drug and weapon offenses
–

Falck paramedic Nicholas Adam Conniry is being held without bail and faces 7 years in prison
Do fire/EMS personnel have a duty to intervene when excessive force is used?
–

While not a legal requirement like for police officers, firefighters and paramedics may witness inappropriate behavior in the field that necessitates intervention
Lawsuit finds 'boys-gone-wild atmosphere' in Calif. ambulance company
–

A second lawsuit in San Mateo County has led to additional allegations of sexual assault and a culture of drug and alcohol use
Ill. EMT charged in patient’s death out on bond
–

Springfield EMT Peggy Finley faces murder charges related to “compressional and positional asphyxia” of a patient
FDNY FF charged with stealing dead man's credit cards on EMS call
–

Firefighter Sylus McKenzie was arraigned on two counts of grand larceny, identity theft, criminal impersonation and official misconduct
Discipline handed down in Ind. EMT exam ‘cheating scheme’
–

A Muncie fire captain engaged recruits in scheme to text test questions and answers for the National Registry EMT exam
Calif. firefighter disciplined, not fired, over social post claiming he ‘killed’ obese patients
–

"I am not willing to give our health for him,” Sacramento Firefighter Timothy John Keyes wrote on Facebook, according to a disciplinary letter
Ind. FD, members accused of cheating on EMS certification tests
–

The NREMT and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security are investigating Muncie Fire Department staffers
Ga. paramedic arrested, accused of raping woman who fell asleep in car
–

American Medical Response has placed the DeKalb County medic on administrative leave
‘Remember what you witnessed’: Memphis is a wake-up call for emergency services
–

I know Memphis Fire, and while the inactions of three members should not reflect on the entire FD, we must learn from these fatal errors
Load More