The Compliance Insider Blog | Healthcare Compliance Pros - Page 70

Implications of Improper Waste Disposal

If you've ever gagged at having to swallow your pride at work, be thankful that medical waste was not also on the menu. A story from "down under" graphically illustrates for healthcare facilities the importance of...

Huge Breach Reported: Over 4 Million Patient Records

The theft of four computers from a Chicago-area physician group practice may have exposed information on more than 4 million patients. Advocate Medical Group, posted reportson its website that the burglary of four...

Blood Exposures Risky with IV Catheters

For nurses, working with IV catheters poses a significant risk for blood exposures, yet most incidents go unreported. Healthcare workers place more than 300 million short peripheral intravenous catheters every...

Highlights for Compliance: HIPAA Omnibus for CEs and BAs

Time is growing short! Here are some highlights from the Omnibus final rule covered entities and business associates should be mindful of to ensure compliance by Sept. 23, 2013. Healthcare Compliance Pros provides...

Accounting of Disclosures: New Rule?

Now that the long-awaitedHIPAA Omnibus Rulehas been released and will soon move into the enforcement phase, federal regulators are shifting attention on another overdue rule on the accounting of records disclosures....

Fire Sparked by Unusual Mix of Hand Sanitizer and Olive Oil

When was the last time you reviewed your facility's policies on the proper precautions for using alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR)? An unusual case in Oregon may pique your interest. A young girl was injured in a...

HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP)

Because of the changes brought about through the HIPAA Omnibus Rule, there has been much confusion with regard to the Notice of Privacy Practices, how to make it available to your patients and how to post it at your...

The Five "R"s of Harassment Avoidance

Here are five quick tips to help organizations with regard to harassment in the office: R#1. Refrain Supervisors and managers have to set an example by refraining from: Unlawful discrimination,...

Will Breaches Spike With HIPAA Omnibus?

In the past month, the Department of Health and Human Services has added only a handful of breaches to its "Wall of Shame" website of breaches affecting 500 or more individuals. Most of the 2013 breaches added to the...

Using Safety Needles in an Orthopedic Practice

Occasionally a physician's office may feel, due to their specialty or other reasons, that they are an exception to using safety needles in their practice. Here is an answer from OSHA. Q: Our orthopedic...