The Hospital Code of Conduct should be signed by any crew in a patient facing role (e.g. Hospital, Dental, HOPE Center, Hospital Chaplaincy, Patient Selection and Education, Training & Advocacy).

We recognize that many of you will already have agreed to abide by a professional code of conduct in your home country. Within Mercy Ships programs we wish to maintain these standards in order to honor the patients we serve, the professionals we partner with, and our fellow crew members. 

In summary, as a staff member in our Hospital or on-shore facility or participant in our Education, Training, and Advocacy (ETA) Program, you are expected to: 

• Treat people as individuals, respect their dignity and in no way discriminate against those in your care. 

• Ensure consent is gained before beginning any treatment, care, or media related communication. 

• Respect and promote people’s rights to accept or decline treatment, care, or media related communication. 

• Ensure professional standards of conduct and patient care are upheld at all times and for all patients. 

• Work cooperatively within the team, respecting the skills, expertise and contributions of all your colleagues. 

• Act without delay if you believe that yourself or a colleague may be putting someone else at risk. 

• Keep clear and accurate records of the discussions you have, the assessments you make, the treatment you provide and the medication you give. 

• Act as an advocate for those in your care and respect people’s right to confidentiality. Confidentiality is a 

fundamental part of professional practice that protects Human Rights. People within the care of Mercy Ships (programmatic patients, day crew, ETA participants and crew members) have a right to expect that information given to any Mercy Ship crew member will only be used for the purpose for which it was given and will not be disclosed without permission. 

• Only information that has already been shared with the patient or their family should be communicated externally. With this in mind, last names, or any other information that would identify the patient (including specific details of a patient’s medical history, surgery or treatment) should never be disclosed on personal blogs, newsletters or any other social media. First names only, together with photos published on the Communications Shared drive, may be used. 

• *THE USE OF PERSONAL DEVICES* is not permitted at any time in any Mercy Ships facility to capture images of patients and / or caregivers, medical records or any other patient related imaging or documentation. This includes, but is not limited to patient charts and radiology images. 

It is important to understand that ‘Patient Stories’ created by our Communications Department constitute a key element of donor feedback that allows service to our patients to continue, and that helping facilitate the production of Patient Stories is an integral part of your role. 

More information regarding your responsibilities regarding Patient Confidentiality can be found on Navigator.* 

Any exceptions to the above statements must be expressly authorized by the Hospital Director. 

 Revised 14-March-2025 

*HA7.3.1.001 Mercy Ships Patient Photo and Media Policy, HA73.1.005 Patient Confidentiality Policy