Beware. The government has stepped up its efforts to protect employee rights. Two areas of particular interest to medical offices are disability discrimination and retaliation against protected activities such as discussing wages and work conditions. The agencies involved are the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Americans with Disabilities Act) and the National Labor … [Read more...] about Beware these 2 deadly employment law traps
Risk management
How the new OIG 2014 Work Plan affects your medical office
The OIG, Office of Inspector General, oversees Medicare and Medicaid enforcement and highlights areas of focus in its enforcement efforts in a Work Plan. The 2014 Work Plan was released at the end of January and contains some items of note for medical practices. Some items are new and others have been on the OIG Work Plan in prior years and are a continuing project. The … [Read more...] about How the new OIG 2014 Work Plan affects your medical office
Government issues NEW resources to help ensure safety of electronic health records
Continuing to encourage the use of electronic health records, on January 15, 2014, HHS issued new resources to help providers address Electronic Health Record safety. HHS’s Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) issued the Safety Assurance Factors for EHR Resilience (SAFER) Guides. These SAFER Guides are tools such as checklists and … [Read more...] about Government issues NEW resources to help ensure safety of electronic health records
HIPAA resources and guidance
Complying with HIPAA’s privacy and security requirements can be complex and overwhelming. But the Department of Health and Human Services does provide some helpful guidance. Here’s a list of resources we found that might help you understand what’s required and plan your security programs: 1. HHS Security Rule … [Read more...] about HIPAA resources and guidance
13 steps to prevent bloodborne infection and liability
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens: A 13 step compliance game plan Protecting employees from bloodborne infection isn’t just a medical imperative but a legal one under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules. In case you don’t have the time or inclination to read the entire OSHA regulation, here’s an explanation of what it requires and a 13-step game plan for … [Read more...] about 13 steps to prevent bloodborne infection and liability
Employee Safety Briefing: How to prevent injuries in the home office
Why you need this safety briefing: If you have telecommuters on your staff, you need to be concerned about their safety when they are working at home. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not require inspections of home offices, but you would be wise to remind your employees about working in a safe environment. How this safety briefing helps you: This … [Read more...] about Employee Safety Briefing: How to prevent injuries in the home office
Model Policy: Exposure control
Why you need this policy: Health care employees face risk of exposure to deadly bloodborne infections. How this policy helps you: This model policy will help you protect your employees for bloodborne infections and your medical office from liability for violations of federal OSHA rules. How to use this policy: Adapt this policy to your medical office. Insert names and other … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Exposure control
Model Tool: Exposure control plan checklist
Why you need this checklist: The following checklist lists the elements that must be covered in an Exposure Control Program or Policy under the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard. … [Read more...] about Model Tool: Exposure control plan checklist
Why you need an employee social networking policy to help protect your practice
THIS STORY WILL HELP YOU … Prevent employee blogging, texting, emailing and other social networking abuse At least some of your employees are into blogging, tweeting, Facebook and other social networking. What employees do with their free time is their own business. Or is it? What about employees who social network during work time? And how about employees whose blogs, tweets … [Read more...] about Why you need an employee social networking policy to help protect your practice
HIPAA is now striking small offices; the first hit is on mobile devices
HIPAA, which has traditionally focused its attention on larger entities, is now closing in on smaller organizations and smaller violations. A hospice in Idaho has been fined $50,000 for a security breach of its electronic health information. This is the first time HIPAA has gone after a breach affecting fewer than 500 patients, and the government says the fine is “a strong … [Read more...] about HIPAA is now striking small offices; the first hit is on mobile devices