HMGT 372 Week 5 Discussion 1: Health Executives Have A C

Hmgt 372 Week 5week 5 Discussion 1health Executives Have A Code Of Eth

Examine one of the policy statements provided by ACHE.org and comment on how this code may differ in nature than the health care provider codes. Be specific. Do you see any ethical issues emerging out of health care reform yet are not considered in the ACHE documents? Peers are expected to demonstrate critical thinking in their questions related to the classmates’ descriptions. Provide citation of authority to support your initial response to conference questions. Initial response to discussion topic must be no later than midnight Thursday and then you must substantively respond to at least 2 classmate submissions no later than 6pm Sunday.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The ethical landscape in healthcare is governed by various codes and policies designed to uphold integrity, professionalism, and patient trust. Among these, the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) maintains a comprehensive code of ethics that directs health care administrators' conduct, emphasizing leadership, accountability, and organizational integrity. This paper explores the nature of the ACHE’s policy statement, compares it with the ethical codes specific to healthcare providers, and discusses emerging ethical issues stemming from recent healthcare reforms that are not explicitly addressed in ACHE’s guidelines.

The ACHE Code of Ethics and Its Distinctive Nature

The ACHE code primarily pertains to healthcare executives and administrators, focusing on leadership responsibilities, organizational integrity, and strategic decision-making. According to ACHE, the core principles include maintaining confidentiality, demonstrating integrity, promoting fair practices, and ensuring quality care through organizational policies (ACHE, 2021). This policy emphasizes leadership roles in fostering an ethical organizational culture, aligning operational practices with ethical standards, and ensuring compliance with legal regulations.

In contrast, healthcare provider codes of ethics—such as the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Principles of Medical Ethics—are centered on direct patient care and the fiduciary relationship between providers and patients (AMA, 2022). These codes prioritize principles like beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice. They mandate individual accountability for clinical decisions, patient confidentiality, and informed consent.

The primary distinction lies in scope and focus. The ACHE code addresses organizational and systemic leadership ethics, while provider codes are patient-centered and clinical. The ACHE emphasizes strategic governance, organizational policies, and leadership accountability, whereas provider codes focus on individual clinician responsibilities in patient interactions.

Ethical Issues Emerging from Healthcare Reform

Healthcare reform initiatives, including the expansion of healthcare access, value-based care models, and increased emphasis on cost containment, present several ethical challenges beyond existing ACHE guidelines. One such issue is the equitable allocation of limited healthcare resources—particularly in light of reforms aimed at reducing disparities and improving outcomes at a population level (Marmor et al., 2019).

Another emerging issue concerns privacy and data security in the context of increased digitization and the use of big data analytics. As healthcare organizations adopt more sophisticated electronic health records (EHRs) and integrate data sharing across platforms, new vulnerabilities and ethical dilemmas regarding patient privacy arise. These are not explicitly detailed in the ACHE code but are vital given the digital transformation reshaping healthcare (Velasco & Ahamed, 2020).

Additionally, the rise of value-based payment models pressures providers and administrators to balance cost-efficiency with quality care, occasionally leading to ethical tensions—such as the risk of under-provision of care to meet cost standards or incentivizing certain treatments over others (Epstein & Street, 2011). These issues demand updated guidelines that address the complex interplay between economics and ethics in healthcare delivery.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ACHE code of ethics offers a vital framework for healthcare executives, emphasizing leadership and organizational integrity. However, the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape introduces new ethical dilemmas—particularly regarding resource allocation, patient privacy, and care quality—that may not be fully addressed within current ACHE policies. To uphold ethical standards amidst healthcare reform, stakeholders must expand existing frameworks and engage in ongoing ethical reflection and policy development.

References

1. American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). (2021). Code of Ethics. https://www.ache.org/about-ache/our-story/our-commitments/ethics
2. American Medical Association (AMA). (2022). Principles of Medical Ethics. https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/medical-ethics/principles-medical-ethics
3. Epstein, R. M., & Street, R. L. (2011). The Values and Value of Patient-Centered Care. Annals of Family Medicine, 9(2), 100–103.
4. Marmor, T., Jacobson, J., & Murray, C. (2019). The Politics of Medicare. JAMA, 322(21), 2137-2138.
5. Velasco, E., & Ahamed, S. (2020). Privacy and Data Security in Healthcare: Navigating Ethical Challenges. Journal of Medical Systems, 44(7), 125.