Are you planning to travel with your practice laptop this year? Here are some interesting statistics for you to take into account.
According to a survey by Ponemon Institute, “TSA reports that at mid level and large airports, 90,000-100,000 laptops are left at TSA checkpoints – an estimated 10,279 each week. 65% of those are never reclaimed. 53% said their laptops contained confidential business information, yet 63% of those had taken no steps to protect the information. 76% of companies surveyed reported losing 1 or more laptops each year with 22% of those lost due to theft. The FTC recommends that you ‘treat your laptop like cash!'”
As of May 10, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) entered into a Voluntary Resolution Agreement with a Florida healthcare clinic to resolve a disability discrimination complaint based on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The complaint was filed by an individual who is deaf and hard of hearing, alleging that the healthcare center where her husband was being treated failed to provide her with auxiliary aids and services when she requested an interpreter be present for her while she attended her husband’s post-surgical medical appointment, as his companion.
The OCR enforces Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, two federal civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability in programs receiving Federal financial assistance.
OCR Director Melanie Fontes Rainer said, “Ensuring patient safety is at the heart of providing care in a quality and ethical manner. It should not take a federal investigation for a health care provider to provide an interpreter so that a patient’s caregiver can understand important information, such as a post treatment plan. We are seeing case after case involving health care providers who fail in their responsibility under federal civil rights laws to provide effective communication to patients and their caregivers. This action supports OCR’s efforts to promote community integration by removing barriers to receiving services in the community. OCR will continue to take robust enforcement action until we make it clear that health care providers must remove unnecessary barriers and provide equal treatment for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.”
You can likely recall an experience where a patient forgot to tell you they had a heart attack or other major illness since the last time they visited your office. Good thing you took the time to make an inquiry of any changes in their health history!
This is a great question. We appreciate anyone willing to serve as HIPAA Officer in compliance capacities in a practice. First, let’s establish that the role and designation of the HIPAA Privacy Officer and the role of the HIPAA Security Officer may be combined into one designation as the HIPAA Compliance Officer in smaller practices. However, compliance with the Privacy Rule versus the Security Rule is a bit different.
In this age, to say that a business’ online presence is important would be a gross understatement. Whoever handles the practice’s media accounts is in effect managing the business’ reputation and how the practice communicates their objectives to both current and potential patients. Research shows that a whopping 79% of consumers go online to find medical / dental services, so it is vital to handle this facet of your business wisely.
It really depends on your specific workplace needs. If your operation requires the use of respirators, you are required to provide annual fit testing for each employee. Annual fit testing ensures that the respirator fits properly and offers the necessary protection. This is crucial for maintaining safety standards and regulatory compliance.
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.
Is your HR policy discriminating employees based on hair style 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.
