BASIC ELEMENTS of a PRACTICE ACTPractice acts will vary in emphasis but the majority will address the following elements:a. Scope of professional practiceb. Requirements and qualifications for licensurec. Exemptionsd. Grounds for administrative actione. Creation of an examination and processf. Penalties and sanctions for unauthorized practice

Siena College Taytay CHAPTER VI: College of Nursing PROFESSIONAL GATEKEEPING AS A FUNCTION OF ROLE FIDELITY

Professional Code of EthicsA code of ethics is a set of guidelines which are designed to set out acceptable behaviors for members of a particular group, association, or profession. It is towards these ideals that the profession moves.Common problems associated professional codes are:

Vagueness as to duties and prohibitionsIncompleteness as to dutiesExcessive concern with promotion and prestige of professionVagueness in regard to self-regulation and peer enforcementExcessive concern with financial and business interests

Disparagement of Professional ColleaguesDisparagement- an injury resulting from the comparison of a person or thing with an individual or thing of inferior quality; to discredit oneself by marriage below one's class. A statement made by one person that casts aspersions on another person's goods, property, or intangible things.Gate keeping- one looks out for the interests of the profession or of other in a similar practice comes as a result of our professional obligations and training, which lead to sense of collegiality with others in practice.

Conflicts of Interest To self refer to an establishment where you do not provide service but have an economic interest is at

least suspected and perhaps unethical. Each professional will need to evaluate and prioritize to determine the point at which a service or

provided gift ceases to be merely good advertisement, or continuing education, and begins to be a favor offered to compromise the client-centered nature of health-care practice.

A practitioner who changes his way of practice through any motive other than patient benefit has embarked on slippery slope of compromised ethics.

Sexual Misconduct in Health Care PracticeSexual relations between practitioners and patients are unethical wherein the practitioner–patient relationship places the practitioner in position of advantage inn the critical areas of knowledge, power, status, and personal vulnerability.

Scope of Practice Role Fidelity- requires that we remain our scope within our scope of legitimate practice.

Impaired Colleagues are providers that are using alcohol and drugs.Ask these questions to one self before judging them:

Do I have all the facts?Am I sure?Who am I going to judge?Should I ignore the situation?What might cost me if I confront the situation?Is it worth the trouble?

Whistle Blowing- calling attention to wrongdoing that is occurring within an organization

Institutional Ethics Committee- interdisciplinary body of health ethical questions within the health care institution, especially on care of patients.

Edge R. and Groves J. R. (1999) Ethics of Health Care: A guide for Clinical Practice. C & E Publishing Inc. San Juan Metro Manila. 2nd Edition. pp. 83-97