Household products are excluded from the Hazard Communication Standard if used as intended. However, when cleaners are used differently, such as in higher concentrations, SDS on cleaners is required. Always assess product use to determine if safety documentation is necessary. This ensures compliance and safety.
Ever notice how jam-packed Dollar General Stores can be? Dollar General faced hefty fines after safety inspectors found violations in stores across Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. These fines totaled a staggering $1.68 million, highlighting the importance of maintaining safety standards.
Over-ordering can result in pushing the practice over budget and risk expiration of products prior to use. Not having enough supplies leads to frustration, especially when you reach for a product only to find an empty shelf. Inventory control is an important part of functioning of a dental office.
If a pregnant dentist, dental assistant, or dental hygienist must take patient radiographs, provide a personal dosimetry badge. The badge tracks radiation exposure over time. It ensures the exposure stays within safe limits, according to the ADA. There are important guidelines to follow when a pregnant employee takes radiographs
The law requires that we ask the patient to acknowledge receipt of the Notice of Privacy Practices. The law does not require the patient to sign the “acknowledgment of receipt of the notice.” Signing does not mean that the patient agreed to any special uses or disclosures of the patient’s records. When a patient refuses to sign to sign the acknowledgment does not prevent you from using or disclosing health information as HIPAA permits.
Is your HR policy discriminating employees based on hairstyle and hair texture? Years ago, it was common for HR policies to include a provision prohibiting extreme hairstyles. Perceived as “extreme” hairstyles included afros, dreadlocks, cornrows, braids, and twists.
Are you aware the FBI warned of search engine ads when you search for your bank online? When you search for your bank, a search engine advertisement may pop up promoting websites that distribute ransomware or steal login credentials. Online banking can have its risks, so it is important to be aware and equipped to handle them.
Quite a number of support calls and cases have come through with the problem of RDAs and RDHs licenses lapsed. This results in fines and penalties for both the RDA, RDH, and the owner/dentist. It is important that your dental license is current.
Have you scheduled performance reviews with your team members? This is a great time to conduct your evaluation of the employee’s achievements and contributions made during year 2022 and to assess the areas to improve during year 2023.
On December 14, 2022, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a settlement with a dental practice in California over the impermissible disclosure of patient protected health information (PHI) in response to online reviews, and other potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule. The practice used social media inappropriately responding to a negative online review that disclosed Protected Health Information. The dental practice paid $23,000 to OCR and agreed to implement a corrective action plan (CAP) to resolve this investigation.