Protect ePHI when Dumping Data Devices
Before the wide-scale introduction of technology to the healthcare industry, the most important thing to remember about disposing of old PHI used to be to lift with your legs to get those dusty storage boxes into the bin for shredding and recycling. Now that most patient data is stored electronically, there’s a lot less heavy […]
It’s Your Call August 2018
OSHA: The transport container is contaminated with blood and other potentially infectious material (OPIM) from our instruments. How should we clean these reusable, transport containers? OSHA regulation 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii)(C) states: All bins, pails, cans, and similar receptacles intended for reuse which have a reasonable likelihood for becoming contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials shall […]
It’s Your Call July 2018
OSHA: One of our exit doors locks from the outside. What are the OSHA guidelines for exit doors that are locked inside? According to standard 1910.36(d), An exit door must be unlocked. Employees must be able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge. A […]
Jenn’s Vision for Eye Protection Best Practices
Despite the warnings of what can or might go wrong when receiving medical and dental care, most of us don’t really think anything bad will happen to us, until it does. This was the case for a young woman in July 2013 who was having a routine dental procedure. The dentist failed to follow Best […]
It’s your Call June 2018
OSHA: Our office automatically provides a Hepatitis B titer for all new hires. Is this acceptable? No. The CDC recommends a titer only if there is documented proof of the vaccination series. If the employee cannot provide documentation of such, then the Hepatitis B series and titer should be offered at the employer’s cost. Alternatively, […]
It’s your Call May 2018
OSHA: What is the risk of Hepatitis C infection from a needlestick exposure to a positive Hepatitis C patient? There is .1% risk of infection after a needlestick or sharps exposure to Hepatitis C (HCV) positive blood. In the event of occupational exposure, CDC guidance suggests testing the source patient for HCV RNA which can […]
DEA Warns of Fax-based Phishing Scams Targeting Physicians and Pharmacies
The most recent warnings from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) this month concern phishing scams from individuals posing as DEA agents attempting to obtain a physician’s DEA registration number or signature, PHI, social security numbers and even credit card data. Be on guard for suspicious phone calls, faxes or emails. The DEA does not ever […]
It’s Your Call April 2018
It’s Your Call OSHA: Does your office have caution signs? If so, are the signs OSHA compliant? Caution signs are meant to warn against potential hazards like hot surfaces or wet floors. OSHA requires a specific design for these signs. The sigh should have a yellow background and a black panel with yellow letters. Any […]
ADA Publishes Statement on Opioid Use
CNN reports that the United States is in the throes of an opioid epidemic. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, about 11.5 million Americans age 12 and older misused prescription pain medicine in 2016. The International Narcotics Control Board reported that in 2015, Americans represented about 99.7% of the world’s […]
It’s Your Call March 2018
OSHA: Why does the water from the eyewash need to be tepid? OSHA refers to the 2014 ANSI standard Z358.1 which states that the water temperature delivered by emergency equipment should be tepid. Tepid is defined to be between 60°F (16°C) and 100°F (38°C). Citations may be issued under OSHA standard CFR 1910.151 if the drenching/flushing […]