The Compliance Insider Blog | Healthcare Compliance Pros - Page 86

Security Rule Principles

It is advisable to periodically review the principles of the HIPAA Rules to remind ourselves of the importance of the regulations. Here we will review the principles of the Security Rule. The Security Rule...

Candles in Your Office

Q: What does OSHA say about prohibiting candles in a doctors' office? We have nurses who like to have them burning, but the smell from them is awful. So how can I get them out of the office? A: Medical...

Chemical Spill Clean-up including Mercury Spills

There is no rule of thumb about who cleans up a spill, and some facilities may have very explicit regulations about chemical spill cleanup. If your practice has no guidelines, here are some suggestions you can use to...

Flu Vaccination Twice a Year

Q. If a beneficiary received a seasonal influenza virus vaccination more than once in a 12-month period, will Medicare still pay for it? A. Yes. Medicare pays for one seasonal influenza virus vaccination per...

Unauthorized Disclosure

Q. A patient who carries his or her own state-issued identification card or work-issued identification card loses the card. Is this considered an unauthorized disclosure? Must we notify all parties specified by the...

HHS Confirms ICD-10 Delay

It's no longer a mere possibility; HHS has confirmed its intent to delay the ICD-10 compliance deadline, according to its latest press release. "We have heard from many in the provider community who have concerns...

Encryption and HIPAA

Q. Would a covered entity or business associate be in violation of the HIPAA Security Rule if it sends PHI in unencrypted emails to an email address within the same domain using a Microsoft Exchange server behind the...

Preventing Workplace Violence Incidents (Part 2)

It is essential that you train your employees in steps that they can take to lessen their risk of becoming involved in a violent workplace incident. We recommend that you tell workers to: Keep the...

Sharps Disposal Containers and the Nurses Station

Q: Do sharps disposal containers have to be in each individual exam room or can we have them in the nurse's station, for private practice? A: Being in private practice has no bearing on Bloodborne Pathogen...

What Compromised Information Constitutes a HIPAA Breach?

Q. The Code of Federal Regulations, specifically 45 CFR 160.103, defines protected health information (PHI). Is the following information PHI? A practice sends a patient a letter that includes the patient's...