Safeguarding personal health information (PHI) data from hackers, identity thieves and other cyber threats isn't just a legal obligation but a business imperative. Yet, with so much on the line, breaches keep happening, even at large and sophisticated organizations that invest millions in data security. The Problem: Employees Many PHI breaches can be traced back to … [Read more...] about The 10 policies you need to stop employee PHI breaches
Technology
How to resolve conflicts in a virtual, remote work environment
By Lynne Curry “We had a situation blow up this morning,” the medical practice partner said when he called for advice. “It came out of nowhere. One small issue, a manager not letting his peer know about a meeting, unleashed a tidal wave of anger from her. We talked to the first manager. He said he’d accidentally overlooked putting the other manager on the Zoom invitation. He … [Read more...] about How to resolve conflicts in a virtual, remote work environment
Patient right of access: Consequences are extreme if you get it wrong
By Suze Shaffer Patients’ right of access has extreme consequences if they are not handled properly. It starts the moment a patient makes this request. HIPAA prohibits unreasonable measures when patients are requesting access to their medical records. Most practices think this request must be in writing. Although this is ideal, sometimes it can cause a problem when the … [Read more...] about Patient right of access: Consequences are extreme if you get it wrong
Make someone responsible for HIPAA compliance and security
By Suze Shaffer Preventing data breaches and securing patient data is everyone’s responsibility, but the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) requires someone to be the point person. Make sure you have assigned a HIPAA Privacy Officer and a HIPAA Security Officer. Everyone in the practice needs to know who these people are by these titles. In a small practice it could be just one … [Read more...] about Make someone responsible for HIPAA compliance and security
17 projects for the last quarter of 2023
As we start the last quarter of the year, it's time to plan the projects that need to be done before we close out 2023. Here's a list to consider. Financial Review: a. Review the year-to-date financial statements to assess the financial health of the practice. b. Prepare a budget for the upcoming year, considering revenue, expenses, and capital investments. Insurance … [Read more...] about 17 projects for the last quarter of 2023
3 top tech trends in healthcare administration for efficiency and patient care
In an era of rapid technological advancements, medical office managers find themselves at the crossroads of adopting innovative solutions to streamline operations, enhance patient care, and ensure compliance. Here are three top trends revolutionizing medical office operations. AI-Powered Scheduling: A Precision Approach to Appointment Management One of the most … [Read more...] about 3 top tech trends in healthcare administration for efficiency and patient care
Healthcare employees love “123456” for their passwords
The healthcare sector’s employees, working for the world’s richest companies, use poor passwords to secure business accounts, reveals new research by NordPass. While cybersecurity experts repeatedly urge businesses to take better care of corporate accounts, passwords such as “123456,” “password,” and “12345” still make it to the top of the healthcare industry’s list. These are … [Read more...] about Healthcare employees love “123456” for their passwords
How to see your last patient on time
Getting the doctor to see the first patient of the day on schedule is no great feat. Seeing the last patient of the day on time can be a struggle. Here are some ways to make that happen: Implement an Effective Scheduling System A well-structured scheduling system is the foundation for keeping appointments on track. Consider using an electronic health record (EHR) or practice … [Read more...] about How to see your last patient on time
18 ways your medical office can run afoul of laws and regulations
Running a medical office comes the responsibility for ensuring compliance with various laws and regulations. Failure to meet compliance requirements can lead to legal, financial, and reputational troubles. Here are some—but by no means all—the ways your medical office can run into compliance trouble: HIPAA Violations: Failure to protect patient health information and maintain … [Read more...] about 18 ways your medical office can run afoul of laws and regulations
Checklist: Is the office ready for your summer vacation?
Your long-awaited and well-deserved summer vacation is approaching. Is your staff prepared to run the office smoothly in your absence? Use this list to see if you have the bases covered. Vacation Preparation Checklist for Busy Medical Office Managers Delegate Responsibilities: Identify competent staff members to handle key tasks during your absence. Assign … [Read more...] about Checklist: Is the office ready for your summer vacation?