Ethics at ISS: ‘It’s part of everything ATPs do’ 

PITTSBURGH – RESNA will present a course on its code of ethics and standards of practice for the first time at the International Seating Symposium in March to provide attendees with a better understanding of how these principles apply to everyday practice. 

The organization updated its code of ethics and standards of practice in 2022, involving more than 100 subject matter experts, and put them into effect in 2023. 

Julie Piriano, senior director of payer relations & regulatory affairs for NCART, will present the course, along with Andrea Van Hook, executive director of RESNA, and Carmen DiGiovine, a professor at The Ohio State University. It will also be available on demand. 

HME News: Why did RESNA want a course on ethics and standards of practice at ISS? 

Julie Piriano: It’s part of everything ATPs do day-to-day. When we were updating the ATP exam and looking at the ethics portion, for example, it didn’t make sense to have specific questions on that because it weaves into every aspect of what they do – from start to finish and beyond to the follow up. So, we pulled that section out and expanded the other domains to be more inclusive of ethics. 

HME: The course will discuss the code of ethics and standards of practice, explain the four duties included in the standards of practice and provide an overview of the complaint process. 

Piriano: It will also be interactive. It’s an hour long but includes case examples that tend to generate conversation. We get a lot of questions like, “Well, what about this circumstance or that situation?” So, we’ll go through different scenarios and ask, “Is this a violation or not?” Participants will discuss what standard is being implicated and be able to say with confidence. “This is a violation because…” or “This is this not a violation because…”. Our goal is for every RESNA member and certificant to abide by the code of ethics and standards of practice, and to be vigilant in identifying, documenting and reporting infractions by other members and ATPs to protect the public and the industry. 

HME: Why include as part of the course an overview of the complaint process? 

Piriano: We strongly encourage the entire industry of ATP professionals to self-police. In other words, “If you see something, say something.” Filing a complaint is a simple procedure completed online but the person filing the complaint needs to know complaints can’t be anonymous and they can’t be hearsay. The complainant must have first-hand knowledge of the occurrence, provide evidence of the alleged violation and include their contact information in case RESNA needs to get in touch with them. The Complaint Review Committee takes it from there. 

• Related: UPitt’s Mark Schmeler, Rachel Hibbs and Richard Schein provide a preview of ISS here.