The Compliance Insider Blog | Healthcare Compliance Pros - Page 95

OCR Investigation Tip: Cooperate With Investigators

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has statutory authority to enforce the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules. And now, pursuant to HITECH, state attorneys general also have enforcement authority. An...

What, No Gloves Needed in Blood Donation Centers?

Q: I am a phlebotomy instructor who always emphasizes adherence to wearing gloves when drawing blood. One of my students told me that he regularly donates blood and platelets at a blood bank that has a sign on...

Hiring Teens? Conduct Extra Harassment Training First

Because of their age and lack of experience in the working world, teen employees may be particularly vulnerable to harassment, and may not know what to do if harassment occurs. Especially if you are planning...

Working with Multiple Providers

Q: If a healthcare worker did not have a titer drawn after the HBV vaccine was completed, how long afterward could we assume that he/she is a responder/non-responder? Many titers wane after years and are no...

HBV Vaccination and Immunity

Q: If a healthcare worker did not have a titer drawn after the HBV vaccine was completed, how long afterward could we assume that he/she is a responder/non-responder? Many titers wane after years and are no...

ICE Increases I-9 Audit Actions

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently notified businesses that they had been targeted for in-person inspections of their I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Forms. This recent enforcement...

CMS Identifies Total Improper Payment Figures

CMS released a short but useful Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) update on its website last week reporting the total amount of improper payments identified since the RAC demonstration period. From October 2009...

Faxing Protected Health Information

Recently, a client called in requesting clarification of whether they had violated HIPAA Privacy rules due to faxing protected health information (PHI). The following was their scenario and our answer: Scenario:...

Monthly Check of Fire Extinguishers

Q: Does OSHA require a monthly check of portable fire extinguishers? A: Yes. The OSHA standard for portable fire extinguishers 19 10.157 requires a monthly check. Each month check for: - proper...

Small Mercury Spill Cleanup Instructions

We recently had a few questions regarding how to handle a mercury spill. We hope that the following instructions will help you if you have that kind of spill in your practice. Steps to Clean Up: (1) Put...