Preamble

Utah Association of Behavioral Health Organizations (UBHO) and its member facilities believeand endorse the concept that behavioral (mental health) and chemical dependence are complex family illnesses in which an individual’s in gestation of alcohol and/or chemicals seriously and repeatedly interferes with health, job performance, family welfare and interpersonal relations.

We believe that a person with behavioral and or chemical dependence cannot return to the use of alcohol or other mood altering chemicals. Return to such use is viewed as a relapse in the recovery process. Primary goals in treatment are to help assure that the individual strives for sustaining abstinence and together with family members, seeks a more meaningful, satisfying and productive way of life in recovery.

Just as personal responsibility and accountability are underscored in treatment for the recovery process, UBHO treatment providers shall assume such responsibility and accountability in their provision of treatment services, in their management practices, in their staff relationships, in their relationships with other publics, and in their marketing. Further, UBHO providers, member organizations, individual members and associate members will engage and do business only with other like-minded partners and organizations who themselves also abide by these basic ethical practices and standards.

To help assure such responsibility and accountability, Utah Association of Behavioral HealthOrganizations has this Code of Ethics. This code of generally acceptable ethical practices is seen as a dynamic statement that has the acceptance of each member and each associate member upon joining the association.

Treatment

Specific admission and referral criteria are developed and adhered to for every level of service provided.

Quality treatment services are provided that appropriately meet the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patient and family.

Treatment programs enhance the dignity and protect the human and legal rights of the patient and family.

Continuing care (or “aftercare”) services are considered essential to the continuum of care.

Management

Governing authority clearly states organizational goals and objectives

Staff members who subscribe to the professional standards of their respective fields provide interdisciplinary team treatment.

Treatment facilities develop relationship with other health care providers to assure they are an integral part of a community’s health care services system.

Fee structures are made available to the public.

Treatment facilities do not discriminate against any person for any services provided on the basis of race, creed, sex or national origin.

Treatment facilities recognize that ongoing internal evaluation of care is essential.

Facilities

All applicable local, sate and federal life safety, occupational safety, health and fire codes are met.

When a facility serves the handicapped, they are assured accessibility and maneuverability.

The treatment facility’s environment enhances the human dignity and rights of patients.

Positive community relationships are developed and nurtured.

There is cultivation of good relationships and communications with related public and private agencies, associations and institutions.

Marketing

Financial rewards for patient referrals:

No financial rewards or substantive gifts are offered for patient referrals.

Treatment providers may refer families or individuals to a variety of treatment or recovery support professionals, including interventionists; continuing care providers; monitoring agencies; and/or referral sources that offer services to patients prior to or after outpatient or residential treatment. However, in no case should treatment providers make payment or compensation to these individuals or organizations in exchange for patient referrals – neither in the form of direct payment, consulting contracts, large gifts, nor other forms of remuneration or compensation.

Deceptive advertising or marketing practices:

Treatment providers will not engage in deceptive or misleading advertising or marketing practices.

UBHO members and member organizations will provide information in their advertising; on their websites; and in their collateral marketing materials about the general location of their facility or facilities; the credentials of their staff; and the length of stay in their programs.

In addition UBHO members and member organizations will not utilize any form of false or misleading advertising; will not engage in “patient brokering” will not exploit patients and or families, particularly for the purpose of promoting their programs; and will not engage in competitive practices that are unduly predatory and/or destructive to a collaborative marketplace.

Exposing Clients’ Identities for Marketing Purposes

Treatment providers will not exploit their clients’ rights to privacy for the purpose of promoting or marketing their programs.

UBHO members and member organizations hold sacred the shared value of our patients’ rights to privacy. Clients’ identities may not be revealed by a treatment provider – neither in the form of photographic images, video images, media coverage, nor in marketing testimonials – at any time during the client’s engagement in treatment.

Advertising

Member advertising shall not include representatives, including unsubstantiated representations, that would be false or deceptive within the meaning of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 USC Section 45 (1982).