Compliance consultant Linda Harvey shares three common misperceptions regarding OSHA’s recently issued ETS for protecting health care workers from the coronavirus.
3 Cloud-Based Security Considerations
While cloud-based practice management software offers many business benefits, it’s important to consider basic safety protocols such as data security, remote login policies and passwords protection. Linda Harvey discusses how to keep your data safe and HIPAA compliant.
Dentistry Beyond 2020: Looking Forward to the Future
To say that 2020 was a year of rapid change is an understatement. After a brief shutdown of practices across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the dental industry reopened with the adoption of new technologies, stricter infection control guidelines and a renewed focus on personal and team wellness. Linda Harvey, MS, RDH, HRM, shares her thoughts on what’s in store for 2021.
![The Three Ps for Infection Prevention [Audio + Resource Guide]](https://www.offthecusp.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/infection-control-1200x628-iStock-1253398698.jpg)
The Three Ps for Infection Prevention [Audio + Resource Guide]
Undeniably, COVID-19 has forever changed the way we practice dentistry and manage infection control. Every area of your practice has been impacted, from how patients are scheduled and checked in, to how office staff don and doff all the new PPE.
Critical Compliance Factors as You Reopen Your Dental Practice
A growing number of states are allowing businesses, including dental practices, to reopen. Is your practice ready to resume routine patient care? Linda Harvey, RDH, shares several compliance factors to consider as part of your reopening process.
Social Distancing in Dentistry: HIPAA Compliance and Teledentistry Partners
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, many dentists have turned to teledentistry to stay connected with patients while practicing social distancing; providing consultation, evaluation and next step actions. But as with any new technology, teledentistry brings about new questions. Healthcare risk management and compliance expert, Linda Harvey, RDH, shares her expertise in assuring the teledentistry technology you choose for your practice is compliant with HIPAA rules and keeps the privacy and security of your patients intact.
Password’s The Name; Privacy’s The Game!
Having strong passwords is critical for maintaining personal privacy as well as HIPAA compliance. Hackers view cracking passwords as we might view solving a crossword puzzle. It’s fun and, in...
OSHA and the Dental Hygienist’s Role
Established in 1971, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) primary mission is workplace safety in all industries. While many of the OSHA regulations apply to dentistry, dental professionals focus...
Five Basic HIPAA Requirements You Need to Know
Since the Privacy Rule became effective in 2003, the HIPAA laws have become increasingly complex, with very detailed compliance requirements that come with stiff fines and penalties for noncompliance. As...
Take Your HIPAA Faux Pas Seriously
Recently, I receive a frantic email from an orthodontic client. A team member had emailed a patient’s diagnostic letter to the referring dentist. But the patient had specifically stated she...
What Is Your HIPAA Compliance IQ?
All healthcare professionals would agree that maintaining confidentiality and privacy of patient information is of utmost importance. The requirements for maintaining confidentiality and privacy are strictly mandated under the HIPAA...
2 Common Social Media HIPAA Questions
We’ve been asking you to submit your most pressing HIPAA-related social media questions, and a couple came in that I think are important, common questions. Question 1: How do you...
Balancing Social Media and Patient Privacy
Undeniably, technology has transformed the way dentistry is delivered and how we communicate with patients. With these changes come federal and/or state laws such as HIPAA, mandating patient privacy and...
Do You Know When to Keep the Barn Door Closed?
HIPAA and Release of Information regulations can create sticky situations. Frequently, I am asked how to handle release of information to the caregiver of an elderly patient after the information...
How Much Is Your Data Worth?
Typically, when one thinks of the value of a business – dental practice or otherwise – one tends to think of the physical assets such as equipment, furniture and office...
The Most Important Thing You Should Do for 2015
“I don’t have time!” If you've ever uttered those words in a moment of frustration, you are not alone. Marketing, practice/insurance management, coding/billing, HR and compliance are just a few...
When HIPAA Comes Knocking
Knock, Knock Who’s there? OCR OCR, who? Oh see, are your HIPAA Policies up to date? According to the 2011 Second Annual Benchmark Study on Patient Privacy & Data Security...
HIPAA Compliance: Next Round of Audits Postponed — but Beware!
In February of this year the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) announced its plans for the Phase 2 mandatory HIPAA compliance audits. Since that time, several details surrounding the HIPAA...
Maintaining Readiness in the Dental Office
Setting up for the next patient is a natural part of your daily workflow. You wouldn’t dream of not having an instrument pack or cassette along with disposable items ready...
Enterprise Compliance for Dental Practices
Now is the time to kick your corporate compliance program into high gear! You may be wondering exactly what corporate compliance is in dentistry. Compliance refers to your legal duty...