Gifts

• Most hospitals prohibit accepting gifts or gratuities of a substantial value from customers or vendors. Gifts of a nominal value may sometimes be accepted. For example, Central DuPage Hospital's code of conduct says, "Employees should not accept a gift of money or a gift certificate from a patient or a patient's family/friends. However, accepting a gift of flowers or candy is permissible."
  
  

Confidentiality

• Hospital employees must protect legally confidential information about patients unless they have the patient's permission or in certain legal cases. They must also keep personnel and employee records and data confidential. Some hospitals protect information about their operations and strategies.
  
  

Conflicts of Interest

• Hospital employees must avoid conflicts of interest, or situations in which an employee's personal life or outside relationships could influence his behavior at work. Some hospitals prohibit behavior that would appear to create a conflict of interest.
  
  

Recordkeeping

• Most hospital codes of conduct address recordkeeping and disposal. Employees may not falsify or alter documents, and they must keep material in accordance with legal requirements and individual hospital policies.