It’s Your Call – September 2023
HIPAA: What is the difference between Phishing, Vishing, and Smishing? Phishing, vishing, and smishing are all types of cybercrimes that involve social engineering techniques to deceive individuals and gain unauthorized access to personal information, such as passwords, credit card details, or financial data. While they share similarities, each term refers to a specific method used […]
It’s Your Call – August 2023

HIPAA: How do I ensure HIPAA Compliance in patient communication on social media direct messaging? Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn have become powerful tools for healthcare organizations to engage with patients and provide valuable health-related information. However, healthcare professionals must exercise caution when responding to patient private messages on these […]
HIPAA and Online Reviews: What Your Practice Needs to Know
A digital presence is essential for maintaining a thriving business, and healthcare practices are no exception. For patients seeking a healthcare provider, they use search engines, your website, and online review sites to understand more about you and your practice. Ninety-three percent of patients consider online reviews in their decision-making process of finding a new […]
Protecting Privacy: Lessons from the OCR-Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital Snooping Settlement
In a digital era where personal information is vulnerable to cyber threats, privacy protection has become more critical than ever. A recent settlement between the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital in Washington state highlights the importance of safeguarding sensitive data. We explore the key details of the settlement and provides […]
It’s Your Call – April 2023
OSHA: If our office has the current Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for a product, do we have to keep the old one? No, the old SDS can be discarded if the original formulation is the same. When the formulation is different, the employer must keep both the old and current SDS for 30 years. […]
HIPAA, PHI, and Law Enforcement in 2023
When can you share protected health information (PHI) with law enforcement? There are certain circumstances when the law allows you to share PHI. You should always keep the “minimum necessary” rule in mind whenever you are giving out information. New HIPAA rules proposed by Health and Human Services (HHS). On April 11, 2023, the HHS […]
HIPAA and the letter excusing a return to the workplace
With the pandemic drawing to a close in May, many employers are requiring their workers to return to the physical workplace. Patients that are afraid that their medical situation makes that return too risky at this time are requesting a letter from the doctor preventing that return. If the doctor believes this to be valid, […]
It’s Your Call – February 2023
OSHA: Are paper copies of OSHA posters required or can offices display them electronically? Yes, paper copies are required. The 1903.2 Standard also states: “Such notice or notices shall be posted by the employer in each establishment in a conspicuous place or places where notices to employees are customarily posted. Each employer shall take steps […]
Happy HIPAA New Year!
It is a safe bet that the title of this article would come in last place for the “most popular topic” award. The start of a new year is always a good time to reflect and also look ahead and do our best to prepare. Last year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services […]
It’s Your Call – December 2022
OSHA: How many exit routes are necessary in the workplace? Per OSHA, at least two exit routes must be available for prompt and safe evacuation during an emergency, and these two routes must be located as far away from each other as practical. Single exit routes are permitted when the number of employees, building size, […]