Medical Office Manager

Risk management

Government issues NEW resources to help ensure safety of electronic health records

Continuing to encourage the use of electronic health records, on January 15, 2014, HHS issued new resources to help providers address Electronic Health Record safety. HHS’s Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) issued the Safety Assurance Factors for EHR Resilience (SAFER) Guides. These SAFER Guides are tools such as checklists and … [Read more...] about Government issues NEW resources to help ensure safety of electronic health records

HIPAA resources and guidance

Complying with HIPAA’s privacy and security requirements can be complex and overwhelming. But the Department of Health and Human Services does provide some helpful guidance. Here’s a list of resources we found that might help you understand what’s required and plan your security programs:    1.      HHS Security Rule … [Read more...] about HIPAA resources and guidance

13 steps to prevent bloodborne infection and liability

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens: A 13 step compliance game plan Protecting employees from bloodborne infection isn’t just a medical imperative but a legal one under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules. In case you don’t have the time or inclination to read the entire OSHA regulation, here’s an explanation of what it requires and a 13-step game plan for … [Read more...] about 13 steps to prevent bloodborne infection and liability

Employee Safety Briefing: How to prevent injuries in the home office

Why you need this safety briefing: If you have telecommuters on your staff, you need to be concerned about their safety when they are working at home. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not require inspections of home offices, but you would be wise to remind your employees about working in a safe environment. How this safety briefing helps you: This … [Read more...] about Employee Safety Briefing: How to prevent injuries in the home office

Model Policy: Exposure control

Why you need this policy: Health care employees face risk of exposure to deadly bloodborne infections. How this policy helps you: This model policy will help you protect your employees for bloodborne infections and your medical office from liability for violations of federal OSHA rules. How to use this policy: Adapt this policy to your medical office. Insert names and other … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Exposure control

Why you need an employee social networking policy to help protect your practice

THIS STORY WILL HELP YOU … Prevent employee blogging, texting, emailing and other social networking abuse At least some of your employees are into blogging, tweeting, Facebook and other social networking. What employees do with their free time is their own business. Or is it? What about employees who social network during work time? And how about employees whose blogs, tweets … [Read more...] about Why you need an employee social networking policy to help protect your practice

HIPAA is now striking small offices; the first hit is on mobile devices

HIPAA, which has traditionally focused its attention on larger entities, is now closing in on smaller organizations and smaller violations. A hospice in Idaho has been fined $50,000 for a security breach of its electronic health information. This is the first time HIPAA has gone after a breach affecting fewer than 500 patients, and the government says the fine is “a strong … [Read more...] about HIPAA is now striking small offices; the first hit is on mobile devices

Keep safe from the Recovery Audit Contractors and the courts by making the corrections correctly

What flaws are the Recovery Audit Contractors searching for in records? Illegible documentation, incomplete documentation, unidentified providers, wrong dates of service – and evidence of improper corrections. To help offices stay safe, the government has set out guides for making corrections so the records pass muster with the RACs. Those same guides will also ensure the … [Read more...] about Keep safe from the Recovery Audit Contractors and the courts by making the corrections correctly