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STANDARD 1.

Business Practices

Respiratory Therapists (RTs) must only engage in business practices that are transparent, ethical, and not misleading to the public.

Performance Requirements

Advertising and Marketing

RT’s:

9
Only use marketing strategies that ensure the dignity and integrity of the profession are upheld.
9
Advertise accurately and truthfully to provide a clear, factual, and verifiable representation of the products and services offered.
9
Advertise only those products and services that they have the competence to provide.
9
Must not include testimonials in their advertising.
9
Use advertising that:

    1. is not false or misleading,
    2. does not claim their products and services to be superior to that of others, and
    3. is easy for the patient/client to understand
9

Refrains from either directly or indirectly soliciting patients/clients through mechanisms such as personal contact, email, or other forms of communication in an attempt to further his/her own business interests.

9
Must not solicit his/her employers’ clients for private practice and must adhere to his/her employment contract when leaving his/her place of employment.
Fees and Billing

RT’s:

9

Prior to the initiation of care, clearly and accurately informs patients/clients of all required fees for products and services, ensuring that there are no hidden costs.

9

Must ensure that fee schedules clearly describe billing procedures, reasonable penalties for missed and canceled appointments or late payment of fees, the use of collection agencies or legal proceedings to collect unpaid fees, and third party fee payments.

9
Issues patients/clients a complete billing record of the products and services purchased in a timely fashion.
9
Supports the establishment of processes to address fee discrepancies/errors in a timely manner.
9
Retains accurate financial records related to sales of products and services.
9
Must not offer discounts that may diminish the value of RT service offered by the profession (e.g., Groupon).
9
Must adhere to the CRTO Advertising Regulation.
9
Must refrain from discontinuing, without reasonable cause, professional services that are needed unless the patient or client is unwilling or unable to pay and reasonable attempts have been made to arrange alternative services.
9

May only charge block fees if first:

  1. the patient/client is given the option of paying for each service as it is provided;
  2. a unit cost per service is specified; and
  3. the member agrees to refund the patient or client the unspent portion of the block fee.
9

Must refrain from charging a fee or accepting payment from a patient/client respecting services which have been paid for by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and/or any other agency.

Patient / Client Expected Outcome

Patients/clients can expect that the products, services, and care provided by RTs adhere to business practices that are ethical, accurate, truthful, and not misleading.

RELATED RESOURCES
GLOSSARY

Business practices refer to procedures, processes, or rules employed or followed by a company in the pursuit of its objectives. It can include but is not limited to activities such as advertising, fees, and billing procedures.[1]

Competence refers to “having the requisite knowledge, skills and judgment/abilities to perform safely, effectively and ethically and applying that knowledge, skills and judgement/abilities to ensure safe, effective and ethical outcomes for the patient/client.”[2]

Patient/client refers to individuals and their families requiring care or services. This may also include his/her substitute decision-maker or guardian.[3]

Timely refers to “happening at the correct or most useful time: not happening too late.”[4]

Related Standards

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S3. Communication
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S5. Conflict of Interest
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S7. Documentation & Information Management
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S13. Professional Responsibilities

FOOTNOTES

  1. Adapted from Business Dictionary. (2017). Online Dictionary. Available at: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/business-practice.html
  2. College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2010). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: http://www.crto.on.ca/public/what-is-respiratory-therapy/committment-to-ethical-practice/
  3. Adapted from College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2010). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: http://www.crto.on.ca/public/what-is-respiratory-therapy/committment-to-ethical-practice/
  4. Merriam-Webster. (2016). Online Dictionary. Available at: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timely