The Compliance Insider 

All complaints of sexual or other harassment must be investigated. However, the extent and method of the investigation may vary from complaint to complaint, just as the nature of each complaint may vary. The... Read More

Doctors who failed to do a minimum amount of electronic prescribing in the first half of 2011 will lose 1 percent of their Medicare reimbursement in 2012 if they do not qualify for an exemption. Under new proposed... Read More

Q: After meeting with physicians to review lab reports, patients often request a copy of the report. Is written consent or authorization required before the physician provides the patient with a copy? A: Written... Read More

The long-overdue HIPAA compliance audit program likely will launch late this year or early in 2012 after test audits are completed by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The first step will be the creation of a... Read More

Q: What disinfectant does OSHA recommend for protection from bloodborne pathogens? A: OSHA does not make specific product or brand recommendations, but directs healthcare providers to consult the EPA... Read More

OSHA recently released its semiannual regulatory agenda items and some of them could directly affect compliance in healthcare facilities. Most of the healthcare-related items are still in the pre-rule stage meaning... Read More

Selecting a strong computer password, one that is easy for you to remember but difficult for someone else to guess, is an essential step in securing your practice's information. Generally, you should select a... Read More

Q. When an attorney requests records and asks that all records be released, must we comply and send all the patient's medical records? A. If the request was accompanied by the patient's authorization,... Read More

Q. Do patient sign-in sheets violate the HIPAA Privacy Rule? If they do not, does a recommended format exist? A. Covered entities are responsible for limiting incidental disclosures. Using a patient sign-in... Read More

An OSHA whistleblower investigation has a dentist squirming in the regulatory exam chair, so to speak. It is also a reminder that workplace safety violations aren't the only way that dental and medical practices... Read More