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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Published: March 2, 2017 This post, A Strong Culture of Safety Begins With Leadership, first appeared on www.outpatientsurgery.net. Healthcare leaders who fail to promote and support safety protocols within their facilities are at least partially to blame for such adverse events as wrong-site surgery and delays in treatment, according to a Sentinel Event Alert released by The Joint Commission. “A strong culture of safety begins with leadership — their behaviors and actions set the bar,” […]