What is your personal code of ethics?

"A personal code of ethics is what drives daily decisions and actions. In the workplace, I believe in addressing every situation with honesty and integrity - if you do the right thing, the rest will work itself out. I believe in open reporting on all situations. Full disclosure of the financial status of the practice exists, as well as the issues that arise in the office. If the physicians (partners) are aware of the state of the practice, they will be better prepared to make difficult decisions if the need arises. I believe the expectations of the workforce should be fair and well understood. Everyone has a personal and professional life, and I try to acknowledge both. If you work to meet the needs of your staff, the staff will be happy in the workplace and loyal to the practice."

Deborah D. Milburn, CMPE, MGMA member and administrator, Dublin Primary Care, Colorado Springs, Colo., ddmilburn3@aol.com

"I began my career in health care by serendipity but quickly learned the ethical structures that guide the medical profession. I returned to graduate school for a master's degree in accounting and became a CPA - a profession with a strict code of conduct that demands independence, integrity, objectivity and the avoidance of any real or perceived conflict of interest.

"In my present role as compliance officer for a health system, I try to convey to employees the principles that guide our organization. I compare the meaning of compliance - conformance with law and regulations - with the meaning of integrity, which speaks to having an ethical foundation, having a sound structure and integrating ethical behavior into our core business objectives and processes. Enron, WorldCom, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act - all have created an environment in which ethical behavior and transparency of reporting are mandated, but I prefer to think that my ethics are driven by integrity, not by regulatory compliance. Doing the right thing for our patients, our community and our organization results in the delivery of effective, efficient health care."

Florie Munroe, CPA, CMPE, MGMA member and vice president, compliance, Health Quest, Ridgefield, Conn., fmunroe@health-quest.org

"Personal: To act with everyone in an honest, fair and trustworthy manner. To maintain and achieve personal integrity and truthfulness in all aspects of my life. Professional: To respect others' privacy, confidentiality and authority. To strive for a professional environment and achieve timely and accurate productivity."

Louis D. Papoff, MGMA member and manager, financial affairs, Department of Medicine, Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation, Chicago, lpapoff@nmff.org