There are few words in the English language that evoke such bone-chilling, stomach-churning fear as the five-letter, two-syllable word “audit.” Even the most law-abiding, receipt-hoarding, fastidious, record-keeping number cruncher trembles when, upon opening the envelope, he stares fixedly on the most ominous of words. It is usually the IRS that elicits such visions of impending...
With confusion surrounding some of the HIPAA Rules, this short quiz may help you understand some finer points. If you missed last week’s quiz, click here for Part I. Then take this week’s quiz to see how you fare. Q. While at a neighborhood cookout, a receptionist at a health care practice mentions to a friend that she...
Employees Texting While Driving, a Serious OSHA Workplace Safety Hazard OSHA is calling on all employers to their employees safe by implementing internal policies that will prevent worker-related distracted driving, especially from texting while driving. Studies have shown that year after year, the leading cause of worker-related injuries and fatalities occur because of motor vehicle...
As a follow up to my previous blog on whether hospital-based physicians need HIPAA programs (such as pathologists, anesthesiologists and radiologists), we are hearing about a major breach of medical records regarding a pathology billing company in the Boston area. According to an article posted by PHIPrivacy.net, it appears the billing company, Goldthwaite Associates of...
OSHA is about to overhaul several outdated regulations and align some of its standards with those administered by other agencies. The rule, which will soon be published in the Federal Register, is expected to save employers $43 million and significantly reduce time spent processing paperwork by 1.85 million hours annually. It will become effective on July...
We receive a lot of questions about lead apron disposal, specifically “How do I dispose of my “lead apron” or “dental lead foil”? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA), lead is a highly toxic metal that can cause severe health effects if ingested, especially in children younger than 6 years old. The effects can...
According to OSHA and NIOSH, animal handlers, including veterinarians and veterinary technicians, have an increased risk of developing occupational asthma from exposure to allergens such as animal dander, scales, fur, body wastes, and saliva. Animal-related asthma and allergies are exaggerated reactions of the body’s immune system to animal proteins. The body responds with symptoms such...
