In the ever-evolving healthcare industry, medical office managers play a pivotal role in ensuring that their practices not only adhere to current healthcare regulations but also anticipate and adapt to forthcoming changes. Compliance and regulatory updates are not merely legal obligations but cornerstones of patient safety, quality care, and operational success. In this … [Read more...] about How to navigate compliance and regulatory updates
Compliance
TOOL: Model Employee Illness/Injury Reporting Policy
The OSHA Recordkeeping Standard requires you to record and potentially report work-related illnesses and injuries. Reporting of illnesses and injuries is also crucial to investigating, identifying and correcting problems that can lead to further incidents and OSHA violations. So, it’s crucial to establish a policy and procedure for workers to report workplace injuries and … [Read more...] about TOOL: Model Employee Illness/Injury Reporting Policy
Model Policy: Medications error reporting
Establishing a written Policy for dealing with medication errors is crucial. Although each practice will handle things differently, that policy should, like the Model Policy below, define “medication errors,” describe how those errors must be reported and to whom, and set out a procedure for assessment and analysis of medications error data generated by reporting. … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Medications error reporting
Background checks: better safe than sorry
By Dr. Steve M. Cohen You might think it unnecessary for your medical office, but I consistently recommend that my clients conduct background checks on all employees they intend to hire. Some of my clients are required to conduct background checks by state or federal statutes. This is especially widespread when employees will provide services to frail or vulnerable … [Read more...] about Background checks: better safe than sorry
Your interview notes could get you in trouble
By Dr. Steve M. Cohen bio Although workforce disasters usually make the headlines, there are a number of "basic" human resource tasks that should not be discounted. One is the job candidate interview. Theoretically, interviews should not be a problem. They're a common occurrence, with no possible traps, right? After all, the candidate just wants the job and you are … [Read more...] about Your interview notes could get you in trouble
Office safety inspection checklist
The best checklist for your workplace is one that has been developed for your specific needs. The examples outlined below do not list all the possible items for office inspections. Whatever the format of the checklist, provide space for the inspectors’ signatures and the date. Inspectors: Date: (O) Satisfactory (X) Requires … [Read more...] about Office safety inspection checklist
How to navigate insurance contracts
Reviewing and negotiating insurance contracts and ensuring compliance with regulations are indispensable tasks for medical office managers. These efforts not only impact the financial stability of the practice but also contribute to the quality of patient care. By approaching these strategically, medical office managers can secure favorable terms, optimize provider networks, … [Read more...] about How to navigate insurance contracts
COMPLIANCE: A 10-step compliance strategy for OSHA Recordkeeping Rules
January is the season when employers must compile their OSHA logs for the previous year. Here’s an overview of the OSHA Recordkeeping Standard and a 10-step strategy to ensure compliance. Step 1: Figure out if your office is covered Physician offices are among the industries listed by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) as being partially exempt from the … [Read more...] about COMPLIANCE: A 10-step compliance strategy for OSHA Recordkeeping Rules
Could your organization’s website reveal your HIPAA non-compliance?
By Danika Brinda Did you know that your organization’s website can reveal to the world that you are out of compliance with HIPAA? A quick look at your organization’s website could reveal to a HIPAA auditor that your organization is struggling with HIPAA compliance. Wondering what I am referring to? The Notice of Privacy Practices! The regulations state that your … [Read more...] about Could your organization’s website reveal your HIPAA non-compliance?
4 immediate steps to take when an office romance blossoms
To meet that one special guy or gal. . . it's the stuff dreams are made of. But when that love connection takes place within a workplace, it can be an employer's worst nightmare. Couples who live happily ever after are manageable. But when a workplace romance ends in breakup, it usually creates big problems at work. This has not changed in the era of remote work. Surveys have … [Read more...] about 4 immediate steps to take when an office romance blossoms