Recently, I asked a private practice LCSW whether she had HIPAA procedures in place. Her response? “I am my HIPAA procedure!” If only it were that simple.
The not-for-profit Florida Memorial Healthcare System (MHS) agreed to pay $5.5 million for a HIPAA breach.
The charges arose after undercover investigators with the physicians’ college posed as patients seeking treatment at an osteopathic school-run clinic. In an interview, CEO school president Phillippe Druelle said that the school’s clinic neither gives injections nor prescribes pills and that the charges are baseless.
Anyone who follows Erin or Connor on Twitter knows that we’ve been traveling lately … a lot! Within the month of April, Erin spoke at physical therapy association conferences in Florida, Missouri, and Illinois. We also traveled to California for a legal professional engagement (and a mini-vacation). For those who spent time with us during these travels, or just for those who’re antsing to get to know us better, here’s a few photos from the road.
Because of the opioid epidemic that’s drawn national attention, medical schools are now grappling with the need to increase their pain management education. While the American Medical Association has encouraged that pain be dropped as the fifth vital sign (a “solution” that Erin’s been exploring with physical therapists while speaking at recent physical therapy conferences), elected officials are anxious for more active steps.
Boozing before a procedure may impair a patient’s ability to knowingly consent to treatment, which presents liability and legal concerns.
This week, I’ve been engrossed in the enthusiastic tweets coming out of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Combined Sections Meeting. And so, I wanted to take an opportunity to reflect on what’s happened in the year since I spoke at CSM in 2016.
Although women consume more pharmaceuticals than men, they comprise a minority of clinical trial test subjects and are at twice the risk for adverse drug reactions. Those who advocate for scientific accountability of sex differences in drug studies argue that the pharmaceutical industry lacks a commitment to women’s safety.
Moving away from ink signatures also has makes good business sense, including operational cost savings, increased work efficiently, and ease of document retention.
But are they enforceable to the same degree as their ink equivalents?
This round of audits will focus on the adequacy of written policies and procedures. In plain English: Ensure that you have updated written policies and procedures and that you adhere to them.
