Non-maleficence (prevent harm, do not harm) is the negative obligation to avoid causing harm or making choices that would negatively affect others. This core value that is shared by all healthcare professions. Non-maleficence includes not treating people dismissively or unkindly.

In the health care interpreting profession, avoiding, preventing, and removing harm to the well-being of patients is a core value that is shared by all healthcare professions. Interpreters are responsible for preventing harm they are aware of, based on their professional training and practice-based knowledge.

Nonmaleficence includes interpreters avoiding acts that (intentionally or unintentionally) lead to ineffective communication, such as leaving mistakes they have made uncorrected or not addressing misunderstandings they become aware of.