Articles by: Waste Medic

Watch out for these HIPAA violations in online reviews

Watch out for these HIPAA violations in online reviews

April 7, 2017

This post, Watch out for these HIPAA violations in online reviews, first appeared on www.modernmedicine.com. When most physicians think of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), their immediate thought is a data breach. But they should also be keenly aware that they can violate the federal law simply by replying to a negative online review. Most physicians are familiar with Yelp. Besides being the leading crowd-sourced rating site for restaurants, hotels and just […]

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First Aid Preparedness

First Aid Preparedness

April 3, 2017

This post, First Aid Preparedness, first appeared on www.ohsonline.com. Having trained personnel ready and willing to render first aid will reassure other co-workers and make them feel safer themselves. By Fred Elliott (Apr 01, 2017) An OSHA enforcement case announced in December 2016 is a good example of the kind of worker injury where a co-worker might have to respond quickly with first aid assistance. The agency proposed $274,934 in penalties against an Ohio plastics […]

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HazCom: Understanding ‘Hazard Not Otherwise Classified’

March 27, 2017

This post, HazCom: Understanding ‘Hazard Not Otherwise Classified’, first appeared on www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com. Responding is Robert Ernst, editor – workplace safety, J. J. Keller & Associates Inc., Neenah, WI. The revised Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) created a need to identify hazards not covered by the classes adopted from GHS or that OSHA did not adopt. So OSHA created the “Hazard Not Otherwise Classified” definition to cover health or physical hazards for which the standard […]

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Hey Dentists: No Business Associate Agreement, No Problem

Hey Dentists: No Business Associate Agreement, No Problem

March 27, 2017

This post, Hey Dentists: No Business Associate Agreement, No Problem, first appeared on www.jdsupra.com. According to the U.S. Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR), dental practices are not required to have a business associate agreement with their dental laboratory before sharing protected health information. The HIPAA Privacy Rule applies to covered entities (including dental practices) and their business associates.  As you know, for the past few years, dental practices have been the target […]

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Why HR managers should review their HIPAA procedures

Why HR managers should review their HIPAA procedures

March 16, 2017

This post, Why HR managers should review their HIPAA procedures, first appeared on www.benefitnews.com. HIPAA audits are on the rise, and so are associated fines. In 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Civil Rights collected $23 million in fines, a 300% increase over 2014, the previous record year for fines. The increase in audits — combined with everything from changes in technology, the addition of a health and wellness program […]

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Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule

EPA FAQ: When will this rulemaking go into effect?

March 10, 2017

This content, Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule, first appeared on www.epa.gov. Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule Question: When will this rulemaking go into effect? Answer: As required by the Administrative Procedure Act, this rulemaking must undergo the notice and comment process. Once public comments are received, comments will be reviewed and the proposed rulemaking will be re-evaluated to determine if changes […]

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Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule

EPA FAQ: How do these proposed regulations differ from the current hazardous waste generator regulations?

March 10, 2017

This content, Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule, first appeared on www.epa.gov. Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule Question: How do these proposed regulations differ from the current hazardous waste generator regulations? Answer: Under current requirements any facility that generates hazardous pharmaceutical waste is subject to the RCRA hazardous waste generator regulations. These regulations vary depending on the total amount and type of […]

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Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule

EPA FAQ: Why do hazardous waste pharmaceuticals need new management standards?

March 10, 2017

This content, Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule, first appeared on www.epa.gov. Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule Question: Why do hazardous waste pharmaceuticals need new management standards? Answer: Healthcare workers and retail pharmacy employees are often unfamiliar with or confused by RCRA hazardous waste management requirements, prompting them to dispose of hazardous pharmaceuticals as municipal waste or medical waste. This proposed rule […]

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Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule

EPA FAQ: Why is management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals difficult under the RCRA subtitle C hazardous waste generator regulations?

March 10, 2017

This content, Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule, first appeared on www.epa.gov. Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule Question: Why is management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals difficult under the RCRA subtitle C hazardous waste generator regulations? Answer: Hazardous waste generation and management practices at healthcare facilities differ from practices of industrial hazardous waste generators in several ways that make the application of RCRA […]

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Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule

EPA FAQ: Which pharmaceuticals are considered hazardous waste?

March 10, 2017

This content, Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule, first appeared on www.epa.gov. Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule Question: Which pharmaceuticals are considered hazardous waste? Answer: As thousands of over-the-counter and prescription drugs are currently approved for sale in the United States, it is difficult to provide a precise number of pharmaceuticals that are considered hazardous waste. However, as with any other waste, […]

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