Vaccine roundup The Biden Administration, through Executive Orders and various agencies, has adopted four separate vaccine mandates for (1) employers with 100+ employees (the OSHA ETS), (2) federal contractors, (3) federal employees and onsite contractors, and (4) healthcare employers who receive Medicaid or Medicare reimbursements (the CMS mandate). Except for the CMS … [Read more...] about Where we are on vaccines and masks in the workplace
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How to fix failing patient engagement initiatives
Patient engagement initiatives are a dime a dozen across healthcare organizations. From patient advisory groups and patient-centered portals to social media outlets and secure messaging, healthcare organizations understand that it’s important to get patients involved in their care. Studies prove that engaged patients result in better outcomes, lower costs, and a higher quality … [Read more...] about How to fix failing patient engagement initiatives
Not ready for clinical analytics? Try operational analytics
By Aaron Brandwein Up until this point, our discussion about analytics in healthcare has revolved heavily around clinical analytics—and understandably so. The potential promises it brings to the table are huge, especially when you look at things like predicting clinical outcomes, identifying the risks for diseases and ailments, and helping practitioners choose better treatment … [Read more...] about Not ready for clinical analytics? Try operational analytics
5 more HIPAA patient rights violations: strategies for avoiding fines
By Danika Brinda In September of 2019, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) of the Department of Health and Human Services settled the first HIPAA Fine and Corrective Action Plan for $85,000. Fast forward a little over 2 years to late last year the OCR assigned five more fines and corrective actions plans for non-compliance with Patient Access, now totaling 25 covered … [Read more...] about 5 more HIPAA patient rights violations: strategies for avoiding fines
4 ways to prioritize staff mental health
Mental distress has long been a hidden issue in the workplace. Employees are often unaware of the resources—if any—available to help them, while employers may be unaware of the effects mental distress has on safety and their bottom lines. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has brought this issue to the forefront for many employers. Over 40% of Americans report experiencing … [Read more...] about 4 ways to prioritize staff mental health
OSHA emergency vaccine mandate withdrawn and forced arbitration may end for workplace sexual harassment
By Mike O’Brien After a recent United States Supreme Court decision prohibited it, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) officially announced the withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccination and testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), effective Jan. 26, 2022. According to The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), “OSHA’s withdrawal of its COVID-19 … [Read more...] about OSHA emergency vaccine mandate withdrawn and forced arbitration may end for workplace sexual harassment
How to choose a healthcare analytics provider: A checklist
By Kevin Keenahan An effective analytics provider promises to bring novel data sets and insights to the table, optimize workflows, build efficient processes, and deliver superior financial returns in evolving value-based payment models. The challenge for buyers The “analytics” is a complex, nebulous family of functionality and the marketing noise surrounding many … [Read more...] about How to choose a healthcare analytics provider: A checklist
Hang in there: Most employers say they can endure omicron
A survey of business leaders shows that most shows that most —87 percent—believe their organization would be able to endure an outbreak of the omicron variant of COVID-19. Eighty-six percent of exectives polled by SHRM (the Society for Human Resource Management) in December agreed that existing policies and procedures aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19 in the … [Read more...] about Hang in there: Most employers say they can endure omicron
3 ways to hook up your patients with drug payment help
By Lisa Eramo One out of every eight patients with cardiovascular disease fails to take their medication due to cost barriers. The New York Times has even gone so far as to label nonadherence as an "out of control epidemic." Unfortunately, job disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic has made it even more difficult for patients to afford their medications. Drug copay … [Read more...] about 3 ways to hook up your patients with drug payment help
A manager tries to hold it all together during Omnicron surge
By Lynne Curry “I’m overwhelmed,” the manager said when he called. “Senior management pressures us to maintain high levels of productivity, but nearly a fourth of our employees call in sick every morning. On our last all-manager Zoom call, our CEO said our productivity is down and made it clear we’re expected to handle our employees’ anxiety and get them refocused on their … [Read more...] about A manager tries to hold it all together during Omnicron surge