Academic honesty as well as authors’ due diligence in performing responsible research and reporting accurate content and are critical factors in the publishing of medical information.

It is presumed that manuscripts provide honest and accurate documentation of honest observations. It is understood, however, that honest mistakes can be made and that occasionally information becomes available which may change or contradict the original findings. In such situations, the Journal will publish an erratum.

The Journal takes every effort in printing a final “product” that is error-free and asks authors to commit to the same. It is expected that the final version of a manuscript can be relied upon as accurate and complete. Authors are always provided with a set of page proofs that must be checked carefully for content and correct layout. Manuscripts will not be published without having received the authors’ approval or corrections.

Occasionally, an error in a published paper may be discovered which requires the publication of a correction in the form of an erratum. Errata are published on a numbered page and will contain the original article's citation. Authors will be given the opportunity to review and approve the erratum prior to publication. Cases in which an erratum would be insufficient to address an error will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis by the Editor-in-Chief. Inadequacies arising from the normal course of new scientific research are not within the scope of this policy and will require no correction or withdrawal.

Where substantial doubt arises as to the honesty or integrity of a submitted or published article, it is the Editor-in-Chief's responsibility to ensure that the matter is adequately addressed, usually by the authors' sponsoring institution. It is not normally the Editor-in-Chief's responsibility to carry out the investigation or make a determination. The Editor-in-Chief should be promptly informed of the decision of the sponsoring institution and a retraction printed should it be determined that a fraudulent paper was published. Alternatively, the Editor-in-Chief may choose to publish an expression of concern over aspects of the conduct or integrity of the work.

Retractions are published on a numbered page and contain the original article's citation.