ECRI Institute names diagnostic errors the number one concern on its 2018 Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns for Healthcare Organizations. Each year, approximately 1 in 20 adults experiences a diagnostic error, according to published studies. These errors and delays can lead to care gaps, repeat testing, unnecessary procedures, and patient harm. "Diagnostic errors are not only … [Read more...] about 2018’s Top 10 patient safety concerns for healthcare organizations
Risk management
It’s not me, it’s you: 5 office policies to break up with
By Paul Edwards bio Springtime may mean that love is in the air, but your office can't hesitate to dump a policy that creates problems. Some policies are so blatantly unenforceable, they shouldn't even have gotten past the first date! If any of these are in your employee handbook, it's time to say, "Let's not even be friends anymore." #1: "Employee salaries are … [Read more...] about It’s not me, it’s you: 5 office policies to break up with
Healthcare organizations are deathly behind on this one cybersecurity practice
SecurityScorecard, a leader in security ratings, recently released a new report titled, "SecurityScorecard 2018 Healthcare Report: A Pulse on The Healthcare Industry's Cybersecurity Risks," which pulls data from more than 1200 healthcare companies. The research team analyzed information such as issue severity, industry-defined risk level, corporate peer performance, and more. … [Read more...] about Healthcare organizations are deathly behind on this one cybersecurity practice
Sexual harassment in the workplace: how your practice’s policy can make a difference
Employees are more likely to report sexual harassment they witness at work when there is a zero-tolerance policy in place, according to a new study conducted by Florida International University (FIU). The study's findings show that companies where zero-tolerance policies are a top-priority are particularly effective in increasing the reporting of the most common forms of … [Read more...] about Sexual harassment in the workplace: how your practice’s policy can make a difference
Model Flu Vaccination Policy
(Mandatory and Voluntary)
Why you need this policy:
Vaccination is the most effective defense against flu viruses. So it behooves you to ensure that your staff members get flu shots every year at the start of every flu season. But what if someone neglects or just plain refuses to be vaccinated?
How this policy helps you:
If someone neglects or just plain refuses to be vaccinated, you have two … [Read more...] about Model Flu Vaccination Policy
(Mandatory and Voluntary)
The predatory patient and your workplace environment
By Lynne Curry bio You've met the predatory patient and possibly even tangled with him. He or she makes life difficult for your staff, particularly your front desk employees, and possibly even for you because his status as a patient enables him to do so. Often he represents hundreds of thousands of dollars in billings. Do medical practices have a responsibility to … [Read more...] about The predatory patient and your workplace environment
Are 5 common, but undiscussable, workplace behaviors putting your patients at risk?
A new study by VitalSmarts suggests that slackers, timid supervisors, toxic peers, and arrogant doctors are common in healthcare. But, while frustrating, these behavior problems aren't the real problem. The real problem in healthcare is silence. VitalSmarts’ study of workplace drama in healthcare found that while most employees and physicians frequently witness these … [Read more...] about Are 5 common, but undiscussable, workplace behaviors putting your patients at risk?
HIPAA data breaches in 2017: Another record breaking year!
By Danika Brinda bio Unfortunately as promised, 2017 brought many challenges to properly protecting patient information in healthcare. We saw a record number of data breaches in 2016 with cybersecurity being on a fast and furious rise. In 2017, the trend continued with many healthcare organizations being hit with different cybersecurity attacks, resulting in data … [Read more...] about HIPAA data breaches in 2017: Another record breaking year!
5 blind spots in sexual harassment policies and how to fix them
Recent months have witnessed the morphing of workplace sexual harassment prevention from legal requirement to moral imperative. And while the current fervor is a bit unnerving for employers, to the extent it shatters complacency, it's a positive and even necessary development. Sexual harassment has evolved dramatically in the past two decades—in terms of not just conduct but … [Read more...] about 5 blind spots in sexual harassment policies and how to fix them
Why do some get away with sexual harassment?
By Lynne Curry bio Harvey Weinstein. Bill Cosby. Roger Ailes. Bill O'Reilly. Uber executives. And maybe someone you know. How can these men not "get it?" How do they get away with sexually harassing those who work for them? And if you're a practice administrator or HR officer, how do you protect your company, and your and your company's reputation? First, these … [Read more...] about Why do some get away with sexual harassment?