By Steve M. Cohen bio An employee who had been terminated from one of my client organizations later called the whistleblower/action hotline. She was using the hotline in an attempt to retrieve her job or, at least, to vent her anger and frustration at the situation. I listened and discovered that she had been terminated for frequent violations of the office dress … [Read more...] about With the right effort, even difficult employee issues can be solved
Federal
4 steps to take now so your practice is ready for ICD-10
By Judy Monestime bio Now that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has confirmed October 1, 2015 as the go-live date for ICD-10, providers must focus on making their ICD-10 implementation strategy a top priority. The vast majority of healthcare providers expect to encounter a wide range of barriers to the ICD-10 implementation within the first six … [Read more...] about 4 steps to take now so your practice is ready for ICD-10
Culture, psychology complicate many office issues
By Steve M. Cohen bio You are probably tired of hearing about it, but some people never seem to understand that sexual harassment is not OK. "No" really does mean "no," and the workplace is not a singles bar. Sexual harassment can also be a form of bullying or predatory behavior. Regardless, sexual harassment is not acceptable and organizations that fail to deal … [Read more...] about Culture, psychology complicate many office issues
5 HR issues to review and keep on your radar
A medical office manager has a wide range of responsibilities, which can make it difficult to keep every potential staff-related issue top of mind. Nevertheless, there are five HR issues about which you should remain vigilant. 1 Discrimination Here are various types of discrimination, as identified and defined by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Note: … [Read more...] about 5 HR issues to review and keep on your radar
What’s in your employee handbook?
Emerging issues are emerging in employee handbooks. Paid sick leave tops the list of emerging issues most commonly addressed in employee handbooks, with 79.4% of respondents addressing this new legal trend in their handbooks, according to an XpertHR survey. Data privacy is the second most common issue addressed (67.2%) and social media is a close third (64.2%). The survey … [Read more...] about What’s in your employee handbook?
Watch for these changes in coding of sepsis
By Judy Monestime bio In Chapter 1 of ICD-10, Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (A00-B99), is organized similar to ICD-9. While the overall chapter is similar to ICD-9, some categories and subcategories titles have changed along with terminology. For example: ICD-9 CM ICD-10 CM 008, Intestinal Infections due to … [Read more...] about Watch for these changes in coding of sepsis
Model Policy: Jewelry and tattoos
Why you need this model policy: This model jewelry and tattoos policy establishes guidelines for staff wearing jewelry or displaying tattoos. How this model policy helps you: This policy recognizes the value of personal self expression and establishes parameters for when personal appearance enhanced by jewelry or tattoos exceeds appropriate and reasonable workplace … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Jewelry and tattoos
Staff and remote access: more than patient information is at risk
Mobile technology, arguably, allows for greater efficiency and better communication. But, for the manager of a medical office, it also creates challenges. Staff who work remotely, even occasionally, may inadvertently share confidential information via unsecure networks when using smartphones and tablets, as well as personal laptops and notebook computers. Patient … [Read more...] about Staff and remote access: more than patient information is at risk
Your office’s social media policy: dangerous if not done right
By Paul Edwards bio Many medical practices don't realize their social media policy is a crisis waiting to happen. In three recent, real-life cases, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) found employers' actions to be unlawful when they disciplined or terminated employees who did the following: Employee A: Used a social media account to accuse the … [Read more...] about Your office’s social media policy: dangerous if not done right
Protect yourself legally and physically when you fire a staffer
Besides being unpleasant, firing a staffer is dangerous. There are two concerns, says employment law attorney Denise I. Murphy of Rubin and Rudman in Boston. Of first importance is the physical safety of the manager and everybody else in the office. Of second importance is legal safety. The manager has to minimize the risk of a claim of wrongful termination, discrimination, … [Read more...] about Protect yourself legally and physically when you fire a staffer