ASE Governance Policies

Preamble
The medical profession has long subscribed to a body of ethical statements developed primarily for the benefit of the patient. Likewise, the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) recognizes its members have certain ethical obligations to their patients, the profession, each other, the community, and the world at large. As members of the healthcare profession and the ASE, individuals must recognize and respect these obligations.

The ASE Code of Ethics strives to set standards and provide guidance for ASE members acting within the organization, in their clinical practice, and in their provision of health care. This document sets forth the governing principles, values, and beliefs shared by members of the American Society of Echocardiography, as well as the ethical behavior and standards of conduct
expected in conformance with these principles and beliefs.

The society may initiate disciplinary action when there is credible evidence supporting an allegation of misconduct and/or unethical behavior. A member who is found to have violated the ethical standards will incur a penalty, which, depending on the severity, may include expulsion from the society.

ASE’s Core Values

• • • Professionalism
    • Advancing Knowledge
    • Ethical Behavior
    • Diversity
    • Excellence
    • Caring Community

To view full Code of Ethics document click here

This Whistleblower Policy of American Society of Echocardiography: (1) encourages members, staff, volunteers and the public to come forward with credible information on illegal practices or serious violations of adopted policies of the Association; (2) specifies that the Association will protect the person from retaliation; and (3) identifies where such information can be reported.

1. Encouragement of reporting. The Association encourages complaints, reports or inquiries about illegal practices or serious violations of the Association’s policies, including illegal or improper conduct by the Association itself, by its leadership, by its members or by others on its behalf. Appropriate subjects to raise under this policy would include financial improprieties, accounting or audit matters, ethical violations, or other similar illegal or improper practices or policies. Members are expected to adhere to the ASE’s Code of Ethics and substantive violations of these policies (professional misconduct, etc.) should be reported.
2. Complaint Process. Complaints need to be in writing and addressed to the Chair of the Governance and Compliance Committee. The complainant must identify themselves and make themselves available for additional information or follow up from the committee, as appropriate. Whenever possible, the identity of the person(s) who submit the complaint will be limited to the fewest number of committee members necessary (if appropriate limited to just the chair and vice-chair) during the initial review of the complaint. Should the matter involve an ASE staff member or contractor, the ASE’s human resource manager will handle the complaint, with notification to the Governance and Compliance Committee Chair.
3. Limitations of the Process. This policy is not intended to provide a means of appeal from outcomes from other mechanisms, such as institutional reviews, licensing reviews, etc. ASE, as a membership organization, is not a certification or licensing body, as such there is a limited range of mechanisms at ASE’s disposal to address or adjudicate complaints beyond the authority of ASE as a volunteer professional organization.
4. Protection from retaliation. ASE prohibits retaliation by or on behalf of the Association against staff, members, volunteers or the public, for making good faith complaints, reports or inquiries under this policy or for participating in a review or investigation under this policy. This protection extends to those whose allegations are made in good faith but are proven to be mistaken. The Association reserves the right to discipline persons who make bad faith, knowingly false, or vexatious complaints, reports or inquiries or who otherwise abuse this policy. Depending on the alleged offense, ASE may be required to submit the information to external official bodies for formal review. ASE’s volunteers on its Governance and Compliance Committee will be bound by their ASE confidentiality agreement. ASE will make every effort to maintain confidentiality of the complainant and the allegations. Nonetheless, all allegations will be thoroughly investigated and if there are circumstances where confidentiality is not possible in order to fully assess the allegation, the complainant will be informed about the need to break confidentially to complete the investigation
5. Where to report. Complaints, reports or inquiries made under this policy should describe in detail the specific facts demonstrating the bases for the complaints, reports or inquiries. Facts and examples that substantiate the allegation should be included. When describing the allegation, the complainant should explain the ramifications and if the allegation occurred once or repeatedly. Complaints can be filed several different ways – They can be directed to the Association’s chief executive officer (CEO) and/or Chairperson of the Board of Directors (President) and/or Staff Liaison or Chair of the Governance & Compliance Committee and/or the ASE’s HR manager. The Association will conduct a prompt, discreet, and objective review or investigation. Staff, public, members and/or volunteers must recognize that the Association will be unable to fully evaluate a vague or general complaint, report or inquiry that is made anonymously. For more information on the procedure and to file a complaint click here.