The course is designed to strengthen a student’s Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) leadership capacity and career readiness through research and analysis of ethically based best practices and standards in healthcare. The course is intended to provide students with a better understanding of the essence of ethics and an understanding of how ethics guide us in determining what is right or wrong in order to take optimal action in a patient-centered healthcare environment. Utilizing a research-based approach, students will familiarize themselves with various case studies associated with the delivery of quality healthcare; examine the implications of ethical, unethical, and compromised decision-making; and learn to distinguish and address problematic behavior in organizations. Students will be introduced to topics associated with sentinel events such as the recent global pandemic; the roles and responsibilities of governmental organizations; the HTM professional’s role in ensuring ethical behavior; and challenges associated with advanced technology in Healthcare Delivery Organizations (HDO).

Critically examine the historical evolution and the contemporary context of ethics in healthcare; evaluate the evolving role of the Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) professional in addressing and combating disparities affecting the quality of patient care.

Research and explain what roles the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), the Joint Commission (JC), the DNV, and other state and federal organizations play in establishing medical device standards in the United States; explain the impact of issues like “Right to Repair” and other factors governing medical device manufacturing, maintenance, and repair.

Identify and explain the critically important role Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) professionals play in reconciling patient care decisions (quality) with financial management (cost savings and efficiency).

Research and assess the impact of sentinel events, such as the global pandemic, on the medical device industry and the expectations regarding standards of care.

Explore the impact of technology, digital information, Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Healthcare Internet of Things (HIOT), and other advanced technologies on the medical device industry, and identify issues associated with data management and patient privacy, safety, and security.

Research and develop a draft code of ethics for HTM professionals, including fundamental cannons, rules of practice, and professional obligations.