by Olivia Wann, JD
OSHA published the Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers and now plans to release a proposed rule in December which would be effective in 2025.
Perhaps you heard the shocking and disturbing news about a Knoxville, TN dental practice that violated basic dental practice ethics by sharing a video on social media. This incident parked widespread concern about professionalism and patient confidentiality in the dental field.
The Family Rights and Responsibilities Act took effect on July 1, 2024, in Tennessee. It introduces significant changes to healthcare practices by emphasizing parental consent. This law ensures parents have exclusive authority over their child’s physical and mental healthcare decisions. Furthermore, it highlights the critical role of parental involvement in such matters.
OSHA recently revised the criteria under the Hazard Communication Standard to enhance the information available to employees regarding various health and physical hazard classes. These updates are designed to ensure workers have clearer and more comprehensive guidance about potential risks in their work environment, promoting safety and compliance.
CAUTION!!! One of our dentists reported receiving a phone call claiming to be from the Tennessee Board of Dentistry. Stay vigilant and aware of fraudulent calls targeting professionals to protect your personal and professional information.
As you are aware, Change Healthcare experienced a cyberattack in early 2024. Change Healthcare is owned by UnitedHealth Group and manages healthcare technology connected to processing insurance claims and billing. This includes Practice Works, SoftDent, Dentrix, EagleSoft, Open Dental, and many more companies. They serve essentially as the business associate to the covered entity. Please review your Business Associate Agreements in place with these companies.
by Olivia Wann
Safety (formerly OSAP). A top down strategy to assess risk is to evaluate the areas of strategic, technology, financial, operations, legal/regulatory and human capital.
Based on the audience’s participation, it appears that most practices in attendance are struggling with human capital. Between the labor shortage and having to employ dental assistants and administrative team members with little to no dental background, practices are struggling.
We’ve addressed this support question regularly over the years when dental offices inquire whether their surveillance system violates HIPAA compliance and patient privacy. Let’s explore the topic balancing HIPAA compliance and job safety.
by Olivia Wann
We’ve addressed this support question regularly over the years when dental offices inquire whether their surveillance system violates HIPAA compliance and patient privacy.
Let’s explore the topic balancing HIPAA compliance and job safety.
As many of you are aware, the Federal Trade Commission issued its final rule on April 23, 2024, banning the use of non-compete agreements. Dentists worry that their employment agreements with associate dentists may not hold up. As a result, an associate could potentially open a nearby practice within minutes and draw patients away from their former employer. How should we react to this ban on Non-Compete Contracts