SITUATION Your practice is located in a state where recreational and medical marijuana use is legal. But still you're shocked to find three of your employees smoking pot at work. The employees recognize that they've been caught red-handed but each offers up a different explanation: Bud reveals that he's addicted to marijuana; Herb explains that he uses medical … [Read more...] about Compliance quiz: Which employees can you discipline for smoking pot at work?
Tool Box
Safety Briefing: How to weather winter storms
Stormy weather, with snow, ice, rain and wind are a distinct possibility this time of year. You can use this sample safety briefing to remind your staff to keep themselves, their families, patients and co-workers safe during winter storms. Subject: Winter Storm Emergency Safety Briefing Dear [Medical Office Staff], As we enter the winter season, it is essential for all … [Read more...] about Safety Briefing: How to weather winter storms
Who Has OSHA responsibility for the health & safety of a temp?
What are your OSHA duties to temporary workers (“temps”) whom you hire from a temp agency to work at your medical office? Stated differently, are you or the temp agency responsible for the temp’s health and safety? Here’s a set of scenario quizzes that illustrate how the rules work. SCENARIO 1: RESPONSIBILITY FOR HAZCOM TRAINING The Temps R’Us Agency (Agency) assigns an … [Read more...] about Who Has OSHA responsibility for the health & safety of a temp?
Sample policy for a medical office on diversity, equity and inclusion
Office Policy on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy Statement: At [Medical Office Name], we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that values and respects the diversity of our employees, patients, and the communities we serve. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to providing quality healthcare and … [Read more...] about Sample policy for a medical office on diversity, equity and inclusion
Model Policy: Substance Abuse and Fitness for Duty
Workplace substance abuse remains a major challenge for workplaces. Although sound in principle, the traditional zero tolerance policy is ill-suited to the legal complexities of the modern world. This is especially true in states that have legalized marijuana. You can still take a clear and firm line on employee drug and alcohol abuse for the purpose of health and safety. But … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Substance Abuse and Fitness for Duty
Model Policy: Office Temperature
The purpose of this model policy is to ensure a comfortable and healthy work environment for all staff and patients by maintaining appropriate temperature settings in the medical office. … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Office Temperature
Model Policy: Patient Billings Collection and Financial Policy
The centerpiece of juggling all of these requirements is to establish a financial policy that tells patients how they will be billed for the services they receive. In addition to laying the legal groundwork for billing and collection, including by a third party collection agency, a well-crafted financial policy plays a key role in providing effective communications with … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Patient Billings Collection and Financial Policy
Model Policy: Patients Rights and Responsibilities
In addition to explaining patients’ rights and responsibilities, and thereby establishing the basis of a successful collaboration, this Patient Rights and Responsibilities Policy, helps your practice comply with U.S. law called the 1998 Patients’ Bill of Rights Act. … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Patients Rights and Responsibilities
Model Policy: OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control
All medical practices need infection control policies and procedures. And with regard to one particular form of infection— bloodborne pathogens that get into the bloodstream via puncture or piercing by contaminated needles or other medical sharps— QA measures must include a specific exposure control policy that meets the requirements of the federal workplace safety law called … [Read more...] about Model Policy: OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control
Love contracts: Help for hot messes
They arrive at work separately. They never touch each other in your presence. Then, as you chair a meeting, you see his gray eyes seek hers out across the conference table. She returns his gaze; her eyes linger. Suddenly you know. The senior manager, despite all the sexual harassment seminars he’s attended, appears romantically intertwined with an accounting clerk. If you’re … [Read more...] about Love contracts: Help for hot messes