OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HAZCOM) is receiving important updates that will take effect in 2026. While these changes primarily affect how chemical hazards are communicated, they will also impact healthcare employers who use disinfectants, sterilants, laboratory chemicals, dental materials, and other products in daily operations. The goal of these updates is to improve the presentation […]
Finishing a Security Risk Analysis (SRA) feels like a major milestone, and it is! It takes time, coordination, and effort to do it right. The part that often gets overlooked from The Office for Civil Rights (OCR’s) perspective, is that completing the SRA isn’t the finish line. It’s the starting point. What we’re seeing in […]
A common concern in healthcare facilities – whether dental offices, medical practices, or surgical settings – is: “How early is too early to set up for my next patient or procedure?” Another frequent question is: “How early can I open a pouch of instruments and set up trays?” Research has shown that the earlier you […]
Dental unit waterline (DUWL) maintenance and monitoring remain an area of concern for dental facilities. Agencies such as the CDC, FDA, and ADA have issued guidance for dental offices on maintaining DUWL. It is the recommendation of these agencies that waterlines are to be treated with a disinfectant/chemical and then monitored (tested) to ensure the […]
AI tools are becoming common in medical and dental offices to summarize notes, draft emails, or help with office policies. While these tools offer incredible convenience, using them without oversight creates a major privacy risk known as Shadow AI. For smaller practices, Shadow AI is a significant HIPAA problem that can sneak up on you […]
Many medical and dental practices rely on temporary staff to help manage busy schedules, staff shortages, or seasonal increases in patient volume. While temporary employees can be an essential part of maintaining operations, it is important to remember that they must receive the same workplace safety protections as permanent staff, especially regarding exposure to bloodborne […]
Over the past several months, OSHA efforts have accelerated in areas such as heat exposure, ergonomics, workplace violence prevention, and inspection procedures. These developments offer important insight into where workplace safety regulation and enforcement are heading. Heat Safety Heat illness has emerged as a regulatory priority. Its inclusion in rulemaking agendas signals the early stages […]
If you work anywhere near healthcare compliance right now, it probably feels like HIPAA is changing every five minutes. Vendors are blasting emails. Consultants are posting urgent LinkedIn takes. Webinars are promising to explain “major HIPAA updates” before it’s “too late.” Let’s slow this way down and separate fact from hype. The NPP Changes Are […]
Cleaning medical and dental instruments and devices is the first critical step towards disinfection and sterilization. Cleaning is defined as the removal of foreign material from instruments and items used in any healthcare facility. Meticulous cleaning of instruments is required before high-level disinfection and sterilization can occur. Materials, either inorganic or organic, that are left […]
OSHA’s regulatory agenda for 2026 signals significant changes for employers across multiple industries. While some standards are still in development, the direction is clear: organizations should begin planning now to strengthen safety programs, prevention controls, and documentation practices. Below is an overview of the most impactful anticipated updates — and what employers can do to […]
