The 2022 HIPAA Breach reporting deadline is less than a month away. Which means any breaches involving 500 individuals or less must be reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) no later than Monday, March 1, 2022. What is a Data Breach? A data breach is considered the impermissible use or...
As we turn the page on 2021 and embark on 2022, many are hopeful that this year we will finally return to normalcy. But as Omicron surges across the nation at record breaking-rates, Americans have become tired and weary of what has seemed like a never-ending pandemic. Government officials, hospitals, physicians, healthcare workers and employers...
On June 10, 2021, OSHA (the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration) released the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). This establishes new mandatory requirements, applicable to the healthcare industry. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, presents “a grave danger” to workers in healthcare settings according to OSHA. Since people with COVID-19 are...
National Patient Safety Week is March 14-20. This week is dedicated to growing awareness about patient safety, learning more about healthcare safety, and recognizing the work already being achieved. While much progress has been made in patient safety over the past couple of decades, estimates suggest that medical harm is still a leading cause of...
The 2021 HIPAA Breach reporting deadline is less than a month away. Which means any breaches involving 500 individuals or less must be reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) no later than Monday, March 1, 2021. What is a Data Breach? A data breach is considered the impermissible use or...
Many of us were pleased to say goodbye 2020. As we look ahead to a new year, it is important to keep in mind that while OSHA and HIPAA training are still required, virtual options are available. Below are several things to consider as your organization plans for training in 2021: OSHA and HIPAA Training:...
Crimes of opportunity have been increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and cybercrime is no exception. The FBI recently reported that cyberattacks have increased to as much as 4,000 more per day, representing a 400% increase from pre-coronavirus numbers. Cybercriminals are using phishing attacks, spam, and ransomware to send fraudulent emails regarding COVID-19 as bait. They...
Coronavirus cybersecurity threats are on the rise. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only infected the entire globe with a health crisis like never seen before. It has changed our lives, families, businesses, work and our security. It has brought about new risks and challenges in the workplace, with cyberspace being no exception. Amid this worldwide...
Remote employees stay HIPAA compliant during COVID-19 by adapting to new protocols and technologies that ensure the confidentiality and security of patient information. As the pandemic has shifted much of the healthcare sector to telework, organizations have had to implement rigorous cybersecurity measures and comprehensive training to meet HIPAA standards remotely. These measures include secure...
Recently, there has been some confusion on whether or not the utilization of personal health information (PHI) to contact patients who have recovered from COVID-19 to provide them with information about donating blood and plasma donations would be permitted under the HIPAA Privacy Rule. The answer is yes, under certain circumstances. Healthcare providers are permitted to...
