Articles Tagged With: HIPAA
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Wound Care Patients Receive Inadequate Care Coordination and Follow-Up
Inadequately preparing patients and caregivers for wound care at home can be costly. Pressure ulcers can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year, per patient. Each patient with this wound needs costly supplies and a special hospital bed. Nurses must turn them every two hours.
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When a Privacy Breach Is Not a Breach
Language is important when talking about noncompliance with HIPAA. Not every instance of noncompliance is a breach.
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HHS Issues HIPAA Best Practices for Telehealth
The Department of Health and Human Services published a resource guide to assist telehealth providers in explaining the privacy and security risks to patients, but the guidance makes clear HIPAA does not require this education. However, the goal is for the resource guide to help providers who would like to discuss potential risks with the patient.
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First HIPAA Settlement for Ransomware, Fine for Phishing
The Office for Civil Rights achieved two firsts recently: a settlement agreement related to a ransomware attack on a business associate and the first fine issued for a phishing attack. Both cases hold lessons for other covered entities.
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AI Creates Liability Risks for Healthcare Organizations
Artificial intelligence is entering a variety of industries including healthcare, where it offers the opportunity to improve diagnoses and patient care in many ways. The potential benefits come with significant risks that must be anticipated and mitigated.
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Volunteers Need Screening and Training to Avoid Liability Risks
Volunteers serve many important roles in a hospital, but they can bring potential liability. A risk mitigation plan can help healthcare organizations make the most of volunteers without exposing themselves to undue risks.
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Risk Managers Valued in Compliance Program Guidance from OIG
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General recently issued its new General Compliance Program Guidance, the first of a series of compliance guidelines expected from the OIG, providing guidance, tools, and references addressed to federal healthcare program providers and suppliers. OIG makes clear that risk managers are an integral part of the effort.
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OCR Updates HIPAA Assessment Tool
The Office for Civil Rights has updated a self-assessment tool that covered entities can use to determine how well they are complying with HIPAA, and the new version presents an opportunity to see how useful the resource can be.
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What to Expect After a HIPAA Violation
Discovering a HIPAA violation in your organization inevitably causes anxiety about what will follow and how bad the consequences can be. Understanding the process and what to expect can ease some of the worry and help you manage the process to the best possible resolution.
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EMTALA Still Poses Challenges After All These Years
EMTALA has encouraged the safe care of emergent patients since 1986, yet it still poses significant compliance challenges and hospitals are cited for violations. Understanding the potential pitfalls and best practices can help healthcare organizations avoid serious consequences.