Hand hygiene is known to be the single most critical measure for reducing the transmission of organisms (infectious agents) to patients and each other. Performing hand hygiene helps prevent the spread of infection and is one of the most important parts of infection control in healthcare facilities. Hand hygiene includes hand washing with soap and […]
A common error in healthcare facilities is the use of single-use vials of medications as multi-use vials. Healthcare workers must take the time to identify and become familiar with which vials of medicine are for single-use and which are multi-use to prevent using a single-use vial on multiple patients. The manufacturer labels the medicines as […]
HIPAA: What are prevalent healthcare scams during the holiday season? Email Phishing: Perpetrators adopt the personas of festive figures or reputable entities (e.g., charities) to entice recipients into clicking malicious links in emails. This tactic compromises personal data, including login credentials and credit card details. It is advised to verify authenticity by contacting the sender […]
The holiday season is a time for celebration, joy, and spreading goodwill. However, for those working in healthcare, it’s also necessary to remain cautious about protecting sensitive patient information. As festivities begin and work environments shift, here are some key tips to uphold HIPAA compliance during this joyous time. Enhance Staff Training: Offer refresher courses […]
Protecting patient privacy is the goal of HIPAA regulations for healthcare practices. While HIPAA regulations were established before the era of social media, the Privacy Rule safeguards against the unauthorized disclosure of patient health information (PHI) on these platforms. What is ePHI under HIPAA? Electronic PHI is any health information that is created, stored, transmitted, […]
HIPAA: Who can be fined under the Information Blocking Rule and what are the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) priorities? Only certain entities are currently subject to an OIG information blocking penalty. They are: Health IT developers of certified health IT Entities offering certified health IT Health information exchanges Health information networks These penalties began […]
Respiratory illness season is upon us. These viruses can take root in the nose, mouth, airway, and/or lungs. Illnesses that have been reported are Influenza (flu), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID-19. Common signs and symptoms among all these illnesses can range from fever, cough, runny/stuffy nose, chills, sore throat, and muscle/body aches. Some additional […]
As Electronic Health Record (EHR) companies prepare for potential fines reaching up to $1 million regarding information blocking violations, healthcare practices and hospitals find themselves at the cusp of impending changes. Although no fines have been enforced for practices or hospitals yet, discussions regarding their imposition are actively underway. One aspect that practices may need […]
HIPAA: Why is a Password Policy Important? One of the critical aspects of achieving HIPAA compliance is enforcing a mandatory password policy. Failing to do so could have severe consequences that compromise patient privacy and expose healthcare entities to a range of other negative outcomes. 1. Vulnerability to Data Breaches: Without a stringent password policy […]
Fire safety regulations date back to 1895 when concerns arose from the lack of standards for sprinkler systems and plumbers had logistical challenges when they attempted to install or maintain these systems. Following this initial attempt, the need for fire safety regulations was stressed due to the deadly fire that broke out at the Illinois’ […]
