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For dentists and physicians alike, running a busy practice can be daunting enough without the burden of keeping up with OSHA compliance. Annual requirements include providing OSHA training for your staff, policy reviews and typically an inspection of your facility to look for other potential issues. Number one, you can absolutely do this yourself and it doesn't have to be overwhelming, time consuming or expensive. One of the biggest challenge is being aware of how quickly time can pass and how fast OSHA training records, policies and other documentation requirements can become outdated. Fortunately, OSHA is primarily concerned about what you are currently doing....

Do we need encryption? It's simple question, but unfortunately the answer isn't as easy. Health and Human Services (HHS) technically says encryption falls under an implementation specification that's "addressable". So, no it might not be required, but it must be considered. We're seeing more practices regularly using it to encrypt data on storage devices and for securely transmitting PHI to other covered entities or for insurance claims.  HHS identifies implementation specifications as either "required" or "addressable". "Required" means mandatory compliance. Failing to implement these means your violating the HIPAA Security Rule.  The following are all "Required" implementation specifications;  Administrative Safeguards - Security Management Process -...

What are medical and dental offices required to do? OSHA's Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) requires employers to provide COVID-19 training to employees and ensure a safe and healthful work environment in accordance with the provisions identified in the ETS. Fortunately, most medical and dental facilities will only have to comply with the provisions listed below and not have to adopt the mini respiratory standard required by the ETS when employees are providing care for suspected or known COVID-19 patients.  Healthcare and Dental Facilities. The ETS is limited to healthcare because data shows that there is a substantial risk to employee health while caring for individuals with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. Non-healthcare settings don't...

After weeks of delays, the President's executive order to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is finally coming to fruition. The order requires OSHA to establish workplace safety rules to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. "OSHA has been working diligently on its proposal and has taken the appropriate time to work with its science-agency partners, economic agencies, and others in the U.S. government to get this proposed emergency standard right,"  - OSHA representative The most recent delays were caused by Labor Secretary Marty Walsh requesting an additional review of the rules "based on CDC analysis and the latest information regarding the state of...