OCR’s Expectations for Preventing Ransomware in Healthcare

Ransomware and cybersecurity in healthcare

Key Lessons from the Cascade Eye and Skin Centers Settlement The recent settlement between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Cascade Eye and Skin Centers underscores OCR’s expectations for healthcare providers regarding cybersecurity under the HIPAA Security Rule. Following a ransomware attack that compromised nearly 291,000 […]

Voluntary Respirator Use

voluntary respirator use

When an employer does not mandate the use of a respirator or require one due to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard, they may still allow employees to use their own, provided they do not introduce additional hazards. Referred to as “voluntary use” under the Respiratory Protection Standard, the employer must provide employees […]

What to Look for in a Healthcare IT Company

IT healthcare company

Selecting the right IT company for a healthcare organization is critical to safeguarding data security, regulatory compliance, and optimal operational performance. Healthcare providers need to find a partner that can meet their specific needs while maintaining high standards of compliance, particularly with regulations like HIPAA. Below is a breakdown of key factors to consider when […]

It’s Your Call – September 2024

OSHA: TRUE or FALSE? Federal law requires employers to notify OSHA of a work-related hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye within 24 hours of the incident? TRUE: Standard Number 1904.39(a)(3) states you must report inpatient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye within 24 hours using one of the following methods: By telephone or in-person to the OSHA […]

OSHA’s New Severe Injury Report Dashboard

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) introduced a new online tool to enhance workplace safety awareness. This tool allows users to search its extensive severe injury report database and analyze trends related to workplace injuries in states under federal OSHA jurisdiction. The Severe Injury Report dashboard makes […]

Staying Ahead of Respiratory Illness Season: Best Practices for Healthcare Workers

Respiratory illness season is fast approaching once again and typically peaks in fall and winter. The CDC expects that the upcoming fall and winter virus season will likely have a similar or lower peak number of combined hospitalizations from COVID-19, influenza (flu), and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) compared to last year. At the time of […]

OSHA Heat Standard: What Medical and Dental Offices Need to Know

As temperatures rose this summer and heat waves hit the country, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has implemented a new heat standard for employers. This standard aims to safeguard workers across various industries from heat-related injury and illness. As a result of this standard, medical and dental offices have important obligations to consider […]

It’s Your Call – August 2024

HIPAA: Why is regular testing of a Disaster Recovery Plan important? Regular testing ensures the plan’s effectiveness, identifies weaknesses, and trains staff in their roles during a disaster. HIPAA mandates at least annual testing, but more frequent tests are advisable for optimal preparedness.   OSHA: Does OSHA enforce ergonomics in the workplace? Under OSHA’s General […]