Analysis of Texas & New Mexico Hospice Organization's new Code of Ethics

Unique among professional codes of ethics is the Texas & New Mexico Hospice Organization's Code of Ethics. Where other codes concentrate only on principles-based ethics, this new code identifies five models of bioethics currently used in resolving ethical dilemmas. This report's primary purpose analyzes the code's four precepts in the context of (1) principles-based ethics, (2) casuistic-based ethics, (3) covenant-based ethics, (4) evidence-based ethics and narrative-based ethics. The second purpose is to present the practicality of these often esoteric concepts in the day-to-day work of palliative care providers. Indications are that this code of ethics, because of its broad scope, is more useful than other principles-based-only codes.