It’s Your Call – March 2024

OSHA/Infection Control: What is the appropriate cleaning method for heavy duty utility gloves? It is best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use because the methods vary.  Here are some variations that you may find: Autoclavable up to 5 times Not autoclavable. Wash with mild soap and water. Hang to dry.   HIPAA: We are […]

It’s Your Call – February 2024

sanctions policies and OSHA COVID requirements

OSHA: We have an employee out with COVID-19. What is the current timeline for healthcare workers to return to work? The CDC guidance says that employees experiencing a mild to moderate case of COVID-19 who are not moderately to severely immunocompromised may return to work after 7 days have passed since symptoms first occurred (day […]

It’s Your Call – January 2024

HIPAA: What happens if we employ an individual who is found to be on an exclusion list? If you employ an individual who has been sanctioned or excluded by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) from participating in federal health care programs, and that individual provides reimbursable items or services under such programs, you may […]

It’s Your Call – December 2023

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 […]

It’s Your Call – November 2023

information blocking OIG

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 […]

It’s Your Call – October 2023

HIPAA password policy OSHA transport containers

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 […]

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 compliance and social media

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 […]

It’s Your Call – July 2023

HIPAA snooping and OSHA fire extinguishers

HIPAA: What is snooping under the HIPAA Privacy Rule? Snooping, in the context of HIPAA, refers to unauthorized access or inappropriate disclosure of someone’s personal health information (PHI) by individuals who have access to it in their professional capacity but do not have a legitimate need to know or use that information. Snooping is a […]

It’s Your Call – June 2023

healthcare workplace violence

OSHA reflections: Workplace violence directed toward healthcare workers has increased over the last few years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It has been attributed to dementia, delirium, drug and/or alcohol abuse and withdrawal, mental illness, trauma, facility location, and specific facility services. These findings and statistics have led OSHA to work toward rulemaking […]