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.

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N.Y. law outlines specific offenses for unlawful sharing of personal images
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“Caroline’s Law” was first introduced after an EMT posted a murder victim’s photo to Facebook in 2009
Study: Black, Hispanic adults less likely to receive bystander CPR
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Initial findings showed that if cardiac arrest occurred in public, Black and Hispanic adults were 41% less likely to receive bystander CPR than white people
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Ditch the paper: How to streamline narcotics tracking in EMS
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Tracking narcotics on paper leaves many gaps that can lead to major problems for any department or organization
Minn. county leader calls for removal of EMS deputy chief, others over blackface photos
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Hennepin Healthcare, which has been told to address racism and health inequities, is investigating
Minn. hospital system in turmoil over blackface photos of EMS deputy chief, medic
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Hennepin Healthcare issued a letter two weeks ago pledging to address racism
Former Wis. paramedic acquitted of sexual assault alleged during ambulance ride
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Timothy E. Ovadal, 39, of Madison, wiped away tears as the verdicts came in
Patients in custody and in need of treatment: 8 recommendations for EMS
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Every EMS provider and leader has an obligation to heed the important lessons from the Elijah McClain case
What public safety professionals can learn from Olympians
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How to hone tactical athletic prowess, develop specialized skills, embrace teamwork and shine in the spotlight
Bystander duty of care: Off-duty EMS liability
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What we can learn about EMS responsibility to intervene from the death of George Floyd
Stand up, and speak out
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EMS providers know positional asphyxiation can kill, and have a professional and moral obligation to object to it
Hennepin Healthcare, Minn., workers demand reduction in use of 'medical force' on patients
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The petition comes three years after civil rights investigators found Hennepin Healthcare paramedics were sedating people at the request of police
'Let them die': Conn. FF resigns after comment about naloxone
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Glastonbury Fire Chief Michael Thurz said the firefighter's off-duty comment "blemished the organization"
Conn. FD responds after video shows off-duty FF's comment about naloxone
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The video shows an off-duty Glastonbury firefighter saying Narcan should not be used and "when people overdose, you let them die"
Kan. lawmaker warns of 'mass exodus' of personnel amid calls for EMS director to resign
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Sedgwick County EMS Director/Medical Director Dr. John Gallagher also came under scrutiny after 7 EMS providers were cited last month
4 Iowa EMS providers cited after medic allegedly gave intoxicated EMT IV fluids
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Two of the providers were cited for allegedly witnessing the incident and not preventing or reporting it
NH lawmakers propose ban on vaccine mandates, vaccine 'passports'
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Opponents of the proposal said it would prevent healthcare agencies from keeping track of which staff members are vaccinated
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