HON Code of Conduct (HONcode) for medical and health-related Web sites is a statement of the ethical guidelines set forth by the Health on the Net Foundation. The Foundation promotes the effective and reliable use of the new technologies for telemedicine in healthcare around the world. The following are the HONcode guidelines, and the manner in which this site complies with these guidelines:
1. Authoritative
Any medical or health advice provided and hosted on this site will only be given by medically trained and qualified professionals unless a clear statement is made that a piece of advice offered is from a non-medically qualified individual or organisation.
Microbes.info:
Our site is designed to bring microbiological informational resources by way of external links to our web visitors. This site does not attempt to provide any medical advice whatsoever. Our goal is to provide a gateway to microbiological resources. Please see our Terms of Use and Disclaimer page.
2.Complementarity
The information provided on this site is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician.
Microbes.info:
Resources are provided as a convenience and solely for informational purposes. The resources are not provided as a replacement of the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician. Please see our Terms of Use and Disclaimer page.
3. Privacy
Confidentiality of data relating to individual patients and visitors to a medical/health Web site, including their identity, is respected by this Web site. The Web site owners undertake to honour or exceed the legal requirements of medical/health information privacy that apply in the country and state where the Web site and mirror sites are located.
Microbes.info:
We do not release any computer user information. We do not host patient records and do not use cookies or scripts to collect our visitors' personal information. Our web hosting software registers all inbound IP addresses with respective dates and times of accesses. This information is used to analyze our web traffic and help us further our site development. No other information is collected from our visitors. Please see our Terms of Use and Disclaimer page.
Communications between the site and site visitors may involve the exchange of name, email addresses and other personal information. This information is only used by the webmaster to respond back to the query. Thereafter, the information is removed from our system. Please see our Terms of Use and Disclaimer page.
Please note that email is not a secure method for transmission of sensitive personal information. It is not recommended that sensitive personal information be transmitted electronically.
4. Attribution
Where appropriate, information contained on this site will be supported by clear references to source data and, where possible, have specific HTML links to that data. The date when a clinical page was last modified will be clearly displayed (e.g. at the bottom of the page).
Microbes.info:
Our goal is to provide a gateway to microbiological resources through external links. In cases when informational content is hosted on our site, the author(s), references to source data, and last revision date are clearly identified.
5. Justifiability
Any claims relating to the benefits/performance of a specific treatment, commercial product or service will be supported by appropriate, balanced evidence in the manner outlined above in Principle 4.
Microbes.info:
We do not make any claims with respect to the benefits/performance, accuracy, or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement, treatment, product or service displayed on or distributed through Microbes.info. Please see our Terms of Use and Disclaimer page.
6. Transparency
The designers of this Web site will seek to provide information in the clearest possible manner and provide contact addresses for visitors that seek further information or support. The Webmaster will display his/her E-mail address clearly throughout the Web site.
Microbes.info:
A contact us page is provided on our site and is accessible from most of our pages. Visitors can communicate with the webmaster through this page. Inquires are replied to in a reasonable and timely manner.
7. Financial disclosure
Support for this Web site will be clearly identified, including the identities of commercial and non-commercial organisations that have contributed funding, services or material for the site.
Microbes.info:
Microbes.info is currently supported by sponsorship via limited banner advertisements when possible and available. Individuals or organizations that have provided intellectual and technical support are listed in the V.I.P. contributors section.
8. Advertising policy
If advertising is a source of funding it will be clearly stated. A brief description of the advertising policy adopted by the Web site owners will be displayed on the site. Advertising and other promotional material will be presented to viewers in a manner and context that facilitates differentiation between it and the original material created by the institution operating the site.
Microbes.info
Paid advertising banners are typically displayed at the Top right hand side (468 x 60 pixels) and middle right hand side (250 x 250 pixels) of a page. Paid advertising banners are are clearly labeled on the bottom right hand with the letters "AD" or "ad" for advertising. Banners without "AD" or "ad" markings are displayed as a pro-bono service.
Revised: February 14, 2016.