ASHA-IIE-EMERGENCIES — ASHA Issues in Ethics: Ethics in Public Health and Safety Emergencies (2024)
What does ASHA-IIE-EMERGENCIES say?
During public health emergencies (pandemics, natural disasters, civil unrest), SLPs and audiologists face unique ethical challenges. Key guidance: (1) The Code of Ethics remains in effect during emergencies — ethical obligations are not suspended. (2) Practitioners may need to modify service delivery methods (e.g., switch to telepractice) while maintaining quality standards. (3) Scope of practice should not expand beyond competence during emergencies, even if demand increases. (4) Informed consent requirements continue — clients must understand changes to service delivery and associated risks. (5) Confidentiality protections remain in effect, including when using unfamiliar technology platforms. (6) Triage and resource allocation decisions should be guided by principles of beneficence and justice. (7) Self-care and personal safety are ethically important — practitioners should not accept undue personal risk. (8) Cultural sensitivity is especially important during crises that may disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. (9) Documentation standards continue to apply even in modified service environments. Relevant Code sections: Principle I Rules A, B, N (client welfare, competent services, informed consent); Principle II Rules A, B (competence); Principle III Rule A (honesty); Principle IV Rules A, B (relationships, independent judgment).
Official source: read the full text in the ASHA Code of Ethics (2023) (official document).