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Ethical Code (2017 - 18)

Introduction:

When any member of the ISCCM is elected or nominated to the EC he has certain obligations towards the Society that has given him this position of responsibility. He is expected to act in the best interests of the Society putting this above any personal interest. A standard code of conduct therefore needs to be established as a model for the EC members to follow. This would ensure that the Society is perceived to uphold highest ethical standards of integrity and transparency in the pursuit of its goal to develop critical care education, research and services in the country.

The document will lay down the general principles of the Society’s policies with respect to ethical conduct and would also outline the specific details of its implementation and remedial measures.

The document is intended to lend credibility to and protect the integrity of ISCCM’s decision-making processes. It is also intended to protect the reputation of ISCCM’s executive members and staff.

The ethical standards are to be regarded as guidelines to EC members in situations that potentially may influence or compromise the credibility and freedom of ISCCM’s decision-making processes or affect its reputation.

  • Fiduciary Responsibility:

    The EC member has an ethical obligation to act in the best interests (including financial stability) of the ISCCM. This special relation of trust, confidence and responsibility to the society is the primary controller of any action that the EC member undertakes.

  • Conflict of Interest:

    The EC member may have relationships, interests and memberships to organizations other than the ISCCM. Under some circumstances these associations can be at variance to or can compete with that of the ISCCM, creating a “conflict of Interest” (COI).

    The standard of behavior for the EC member is that they should avoid any conflict of interest between their personal, professional and business interests, and the interest of the ISCCM.

    This includes avoiding actual conflicts of interest, as well as potential conflicts of interest. This includes actual unfair benefits and also opportunities for benefit or gain. Personal gain or benefit may be in monetary form or indirect in terms of personal influence or professional benefit. This would also include benefit to the member’s family or near relative. This includes also, any actual or potential harm to the ISCCM through the actions of the EC member,

  • Professionalism:

    The ISCCM goals include scientific and intellectual honesty in its academic activities. The EC members are expected to engage in academic activities with education and furtherance of the specialty as its goal, and not personal interest in any form. Monetary benefits or seeking credit for academic performance beyond what is due are considered breach of this principle.

  • Confidentiality

    Proceedings of the EC are to be kept confidential by the EC members, because of the primacy of the welfare of the society over that of other interests of the member. Besides being a blatant violation of the principles of fiduciary responsibilities such premature and unauthorized leaks of information may provide an unfair advantage to the recipient in their dealings with the ISCCM. There is immense scope for the abuse of such information, that could, in many circumstances, be used in a fashion that is detrimental to the interests of the ISCCM.

Following are the guidelines that flow from the above fundamental principles:

  • Conduct of official duties:

    In order to prevent perception of COI, members assigned a responsibility by the governing body (EC) must confine the scope of their tasks to those clearly sanctioned by the EC.

    All activities performed on behalf of ISCCM, or using the name or logo of the ISCCM must have prior written approval of the EC.

    Money raised on behalf of ISCCM must be disclosed through audited accounts to the EC.

  • Educational Activities:

    Educational activities seeking to be endorsed by the ISCCM or using the name or logo of the ISCCM must send written information to the President / EC. Financial transactions in the name of ISCCM should be transparent and disclosed to the EC.

  • Credit and Recognition:

    credit for honorary role played for the Society’s benefit is in the form of peer recognition and not in the form of any pecuniary benefits. Seeking credit beyond appropriate limits through display of names, position or photographs (without prior approval of EC) can be construed as individual projection and would be violation of the fiduciary responsibility. Notices for meetings should carry names of office secretary (if available) and official address and names of the entire organizing committee. Any statement on behalf of ISCCM given to the media must have prior approval of the President / EC.

  • Gifts and benefits:

    EC members must not solicit or accept transfers of financial or other benefit in contravention of the norms prescribed by the Medical Council of India / Central or State Governments

  • Preferential treatment

    They should not step out of their official roles to assist individuals or organizations in their dealing with ISCCM where this would result in preferential treatment to any person or organization.

  • President ,Editors and Officers of the Journal, Newsletter and other Publications:

    These individuals must comply with the COI policy requirements. By virtue of their positions, these individuals have to be especially prudent in their conduct and avoid rigorously all issues of actual or perceived COI. The President and Journal / Newsletter Editors shall not during their terms have significant relationships to Pharma or biomedical companies. This includes not receiving honoraria or fees, having consultancies, board or advisory memberships or employment; holding stocks or partnerships. The President should not hold official position in another organization with overlapping interest. The editors should also not serve in editorial capacity to another journal of overlapping area. They should not be in a position of having responsibility for acceptance of papers for publication and / or responsibility for policy decision for the publications. All candidates contesting for the position of President of the Society or Editor of the official publication should disclose any of the above conflicts of interest to the EC at the time of filing their nominations for these posts. Should they have of the above COIs, an appropriate remedy is required before his appointment. (Annexure 1, Section 4)

  • Review and Scrutiny:

    The EC members while performing their official duties should be prepared to stand closest scrutiny in the larger interest of the ISCCM. Probity is an obligation that is not necessarily fully proven by simply acting within the law. Questions relating to the functioning of any official organ or activity of the Society can be raised at any time by any member of the EC.

  • Conflict of Interest:

    Considering the honorary nature of the post of Office Bearer or Member of the National Executive, such individuals are likely to have a primary association with a health care organization not connected to the ISCCM. It is also recognized that the participation of members in the activities of other professional associations, industry, government and private institutions may often serve the interests of the Society. However, on occasion, the interests of these organizations may come in conflict with that of the ISCCM.

A “conflict of interest” is a situation where an individual, or the organization he or she represents or has an interest in, has a real, potential or perceived, direct or indirect competing interest with the ISCCM's activities. This competing interest may place the individual in a position of benefit or impede the ISCCM from achieving a result that would be in the best interest of Society.

These include

  • Any member or Office Bearer on the National Executive or any person occupying a fiduciary capacity in the ISCCM, accepting or directly or indirectly engaging or associating himself with any office or activity which is competing with or likely to be detrimental to the interests of the Society and/or will cause damage to its name, goodwill, prestige, income or property. This category includes, but is not restricted to: A position of office (Office bearer) in the national/central EC or the governing body of a regional or national professional society, research organization or educational trust with competing* interests. (* “Competing” organizations: Any entity that shares wholly or in part the goals of or the ideals propagated by the ISCCM) A position on the Governing Board /Board of Directors of a pharmaceutical or medical equipment manufacturer, vendor or distributor with current or potential interest in the ISCCM, its goals and its activities Members with personal or professional relationships with entities that may have obvious or perceived conflict of interest, but that are not considered as having competing interests (defined in section “a”), must disclose the existence of such associations.

In all such situations, Formal (written) disclosure of all real or perceived conflicts should be made by each member or Office Bearer of the National Executive at the time of induction to the Committee and subsequently, at least, at the beginning of each year served by the member on the EC or as often as required to keep the list updated. These “Disclosure Statements” will be made available to all members of the EC. The EC will be responsible for the adjudication of all declared conflicts. Conflict under this policy shall be interpreted broadly and shall always be resolved in favour of the ISCCM’s interests . When an EC member refuses or fails to disclose a conflict that is subsequently confirmed to exist, the President and the EC can decide on the appropriate corrective action or initiate punitive steps to be taken based on the severity of the offence and the intent of the offender.

1. Statement of Commitment

Acknowledgement of the Code of Conduct : A Statement of Commitment: All elected members to the National Executive shall read the “Principles & Policy on Commitment, Conduct &Conflict of interest” and express their willingness to abide by these ideals both in letter and in spirit. A “Statement of Commitment” (Appendix 1) should be obtained from each member elected or appointed to the National Executive at the first EC meeting that they attend.

2. Disclosure of Conflict of Interests

Full Disclosure of Conflict of Interests : All elected members should read the “Conflict of Interest” principles of the ISCCM and provide a full disclosure of their real or perceived conflicts in a written statement (Appendix 2) at the first EC meeting that they attend.

Updating the Disclosure : Any member of the EC who recognizes the existence of a conflict that has not been previously disclosed should update his Statement of Disclosure as soon as the conflict is identified.

Undisclosed Conflicts : If a member of the EC recognizes the existence of a conflict of interest for the first time during a decision making process, he should disclose it in a written format prior to the discussion of the case.

Confidential Notice : In the event that the matter to be disclosed is of a confidential or sensitive nature which would cause undue prejudice through open disclosure, then such matters may be disclosed in confidence to the President of the ISCCM or as the President may otherwise delegate. If, after receiving such disclosure the President determines that such matters, in the discretion of the President, are not of a confidential or sensitive nature or that the principles or interests of ISCCM would not be fulfilled without full and open disclosure, then the he shall notify the disclosing individual of same and give such individual the opportunity to make such full disclosure. If the affected individual fails to make such disclosure, it shall then be considered a breach of this policy. Members’ Obligations: Any member who is aware of undisclosed conflicts related to another member or Office Bearer is obliged to bring it to the notice of the EC. Requested review of conflicts: Any member of the EC should be able to request a formal review of an individual’s behaviour related to conflict of interest. When such a request is made, the EC should conduct a review and render an opinion.

Members’ Obligations : Any member who is aware of undisclosed conflicts related to another member or Office Bearer is obliged to bring it to the notice of the EC.

Requested review of conflicts : Any member of the EC should be able to request a formal review of an individual’s behaviour related to conflict of interest. When such a request is made, the EC should conduct a review and render an opinion.

3. Interpretation of Conflict of interest

Interpretation : Any conflict which may arise between an individual and the ISCCM shall be resolved in favour of ISCCM's best interest.

Estimation of severity : The EC should also be responsible for determining whether or not an individual member’s particular conflicts of interest are so significant that he/she should not serve on the EC or on its Committees. The criteria for acceptability or disallowance of each case may vary and may include, without limit, those principles considered relevant by the EC.

Classification : After deliberation, the EC should decide if a conflict is significantly likely to compromise the name, status, prestige, goals or other interests of the ISCCM. If it is felt that there is likely to be little effect on these interests the case may be termed “allowable” in contrast to serious breaches that will be “disallowable”.

Concordance of Opinion : All parties must be in agreement as to when a conflict of interest does or does not exist. If there is a disagreement between the EC and the individual member, the position of the EC shall prevail.

4. Remedy for conflict of interest

Remedy for “allowable” conflicts of interest :

In a situation where the disclosed interest is considered allowable:

  • The involved member should not participate in voting or decision-making

  • The involved member should not use his personal influence to affect decision-making by other EC members

  • On occasion, if the EC deems it necessary, the involved member may be encouraged to state his position on the case and answer pertinent questions after having clearly revealed his conflict of interest. For highly sensitive issues, it may be necessary for the individual to leave the room before there is any discussion or vote.

Remedy for “disallowed” conflicts of interest : Where a disclosed interest is determined to be unacceptable by the EC, options include

Informing the EC member of the unacceptability of his conflicting position and requesting him to dissociate himself from that interest

If the EC member is unwilling to dissociate himself from his conflicting interest, actions ranging from a reprimand to suspension from EC. If the person insists on remaining on the EC, the EC must then make a decision related to that person’s continuation of membership. In all such decisions the position of the EC shall prevail.

5. Exceptions

Relief : The following factors alone will not invalidate a relationship between ISCCM and an individual EC member (or an entity in which the individual has an interest):

The fact that the EC member has an interest in such relationship or The fact that a Member of the EC with an interest in the case or situation attended a meeting at which a decision about the relationship was made

As long as the situation was felt by the EC to be reasonable and fair to ISCCM at the time it was approved, in the absence of the individual involved.

6. Dissemination of these Policies

Dissemination : All members of the National Executive of the ISCCM shall be informed of these policies.

Acknowledgement : Members of the ISCCM National Executive will be required to expressly acknowledge, in writing, their understanding and agreement to these policies and it shall be a condition of the terms of their acceptance to the EC.

Re-Affirmation : These policies shall be re-affirmed annually at a meeting of the National Executive and shall form part of the minutes of that meeting.

Compliance by Others : Members of the National Executive of the ISCCM must use reasonable efforts to ensure that the activities of other EC members comply with ISCCM's principles and policies.

7. Consequences

Reservation of Right : Where an individual fails to disclose a conflict or an interest according to the policy or behaves in a manner that violates the code of conduct, the ISCCM reserves all rights which it may have to deal with the conflict and individual involved.

Consequences : Failure to comply with these policies may lead to disciplinary measures which may include removal from the position the individual holds in ISCCM. In certain circumstances, conflicts of interest may lead to legal claims being made by the ISCCM against the individuals involved.

Member / Office Bearer on the National Executive Committee of the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM), Mumbai

*from
*to

have read the Principles and Policies of the ISCCM with regards to conduct, commitment and conflict of interest.

I concur, without exception, with the ethical premises underlying these Principles and Policies

I place my commitment to the ISCCM and to the advancement of its goals s and will execute my responsibilities as a Member/ Office Bearer on the

National Executive :

  • Maintaining the highest level of ethical behaviour
  • Avoiding personal gain from this position both while serving on the Executive Committee and after the expiry of my term
  • Maintaining the greatest level of confidentiality about all maters related to the ISCCM that I have learnt as a result of my position on the Executive Committee

I pledge to maintain transparency in my dealings with organizations or individuals having an association or transactions with the ISCCM and will honestly disclose any conflicts that may arise as a consequence of my relationship with these entities.

If I am judged to violate any of these principles or policies, I will abide by the rulings of the President and Executive Committee of the ISCCM.

Date

Appendix 2

Disclosure of Conflict of Interest:

Member / Office Bearer on the National Executive Committee of the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM), Mumbai

*from
*to

have read the Principles and Policies of the ISCCM with regards to conflict of interest.

I understand that no member of the EC shall derive any personal profit or gain, directly or indirectly, by reason of his or her position on the ISCCM. I therefore declare below my personal interests and professional associations that may result in a conflict of interest with the ISCCM.

1. At this time, I am a board member, a committee member, or employee of the following

2 a. I also attest to the fact that currently, or in the past year, I have not been a participant, directly or indirectly, in any arrangement, agreement, investment, or other activity with any vendor, supplier, or other party; doing business with the ISCCM which has resulted or could result in personal benefit to me.

2 b. I, my department or my institution have also not been a recipient, directly or indirectly, of any salary payments, loans, any free service, discounts or other fees from or on behalf of any person or organization engaged in any transaction with the ISCCM Stated below are exceptions to clause II a & II b (Full description of the transactions / interests, whether direct or indirect, which you (including your Department or Institution) have (or have had during the past year) in organizations or individuals having transactions with the ISCCM).

I assure the EC that I will continue to update these lists if and when I recognize future situations, appointments or relationships that would engender potential conflicts and jeopardize the name, status, prestige, goals or other interests of the ISCCM.

*Date

I have read and agree to the above Undertaking

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