Best Practices

Preventing Workplace Violence in Healthcare
Abyde News, Best Practices, OSHA

Safe + Sound Week: Preventing Workplace Violence in Healthcare

August 14, 2025 No comments yet

August 14, 2025   While OSHA Safe + Sound Week celebrates workplace safety precautions in your practice, it’s also a time to reflect on shortcomings in the field and how to prevent them.  Unfortunately, workplace violence is a prevalent risk in healthcare. Healthcare workers are five times more likely to take time off from work due to workplace violence than those in other fields, so this issue requires attention.  While workplace violence currently falls under the General Duty Clause, state-level legislation across the country challenges this.  Protecting healthcare workers from violence is possible. By providing your team with the right tools and resources, you can help them mitigate risks and keep everyone safe.   What is Workplace Violence?  Workplace violence in healthcare is any act or threat intended to harm at the worksite. Several parties can be involved in workplace violence at your practice, including workers, patients/clients, and visitors.  In healthcare, workplace violence most frequently occurs when a patient or their family becomes aggressive toward a staff member. Due to the high-pressure environment healthcare can sometimes present, patients can lash out. Even threats are still considered workplace violence. This stress can lead to high levels of staff burnout.   How Can I Protect My Staff? The first step to protecting your staff against workplace injuries is cultivating a culture of compliance. This culture ensures that your staff knows the resources provided and feels empowered when navigating difficult situations.  Consequently, implementing a zero-tolerance policy on workplace violence is key to protecting your staff. A zero-tolerance policy creates an environment where staff feel supported. Ensure that staff can report workplace violence situations and communicate openly with management.  Additionally, your practice must train staff to handle workplace violence situations. Workplace violence prevention training must include the steps for diffusing a problem and how to alert fellow staff.   What’s Currently in Place? As mentioned above, workplace violence prevention falls under the General Duty Clause, which requires that all workplaces provide a safe work environment.  However, state-level legislation is laying the groundwork for federal legislation. Nearly every state has heightened penalties for assaulting a healthcare worker, making it a felony rather than a misdemeanor.  More states continue implementing workplace violence legislation, including comprehensive training requirements. Some states, such as California, require thorough reporting and logs for all workplace violence incidents. Being aware of your state’s specific legislation regarding workplace violence is crucial.   Protect Your Staff with Smart Solutions Everyone deserves to feel safe at work. Unfortunately, healthcare workers often experience workplace violence, but this does not have to be their reality. With the right smart solutions, empower your staff this Safe + Sound Week by streamlining OSHA compliance. Intelligent solutions provide thorough, but engaging training for all staff to complete at their own time.  Meet with a compliance consultant today to learn more about OSHA compliance in your practice.

OSHA in Healthcare
Abyde News, Best Practices, OSHA

Safe & Sound Week: A Back-to-Basics Guide to OSHA in Healthcare

August 12, 2025 No comments yet

August 12, 2025 Safe + Sound Week celebrates the measures that ensure the safety of your practice staff. But But before you pop the champagne, it’s essential to return to basics. While hard hats, construction sites, and factories often come to mind when thinking of OSHA, healthcare environments are actually among the riskiest workplaces. Ironically, a healing environment can be among the most challenging and hazardous workplaces. Healthcare can present many risks, including exposure to bloodborne pathogens and sharps, respiratory illnesses, upset patients, and more. In a critical field like healthcare, the risks are significant, but so are the rewards. With the right tools, you can protect your staff and maintain high-quality care while avoiding common mistakes that lead to OSHA violations. Sharps Safety We’re sorry if you’re squeamish. Anyone working in healthcare understands the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. From routine dental checkups to the dreaded annual flu shot, healthcare workers encounter many potential OSHA hazards. Fortunately, modern healthcare technology mitigates many of these risks with proper procedures. Most sharps, like needles, are now equipped with self-sheathing technology, minimizing the possibility of injuries. While there are safeguards, needle stick injuries are still prevalent. The World Health Organization states that 3 million healthcare workers worldwide are exposed to bloodborne pathogens annually. Looking to avoid this pitfall? Train your staff and provide the appropriate sharps. Ensure staff know how to use sharps safely, from use to disposal. Your practice should also provide a secure trash can to dispose of sharps and partner with an OSHA-compliant healthcare waste organization to remove and dispose of used sharps. If a healthcare staff member is pricked by a sharp? Provide immediate first aid and have them undergo blood tests to ensure their safety. When it comes to bloodborne pathogens, time is of the essence; quick action can prevent further issues. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Not just a Fashion Trend Healthcare professionals are three times more likely to contract respiratory illnesses than those in other industries. While it seems like an unavoidable part of the job, proper use of PPE minimizes these risks. The most effective way to ensure staff are protected is by providing comprehensive training on the correct use of PPE. This training should cover when and how to wear various equipment, from masks and gloves to gowns and face shields. To eliminate any barriers to use, your practice must provide all necessary PPE to staff at no charge. Wearing the correct PPE provides critical protection for your staff, safeguarding them from infectious respiratory pathogens. PPE protects your employees’ health and helps prevent the spread of illness to other patients and colleagues, creating a safer environment for everyone. Navigating Conflict, Ensuring Security Another common OSHA violation in healthcare is, unfortunately, workplace violence. Healthcare workers are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than other workers.  The good news is that this issue is finally getting serious attention. This issue has received attention at the state level, with most states increasing penalties for attacks against healthcare workers and implementing additional logs, training, and safety measures. Although this still falls under OSHA’s General Duty Clause, a federal law addressing this issue has been in development for years and is likely to be announced by the end of this year.  To keep staff safe, train your team and empower them to report workplace violence. Ensure staff know the procedures for handling an unruly patient or visitor, and follow up after any incident. It is unfortunate that this occurs, but by supporting your staff, you can minimize risks and create a safer workplace. Keep Your Staff Safe and Sound Remember, a strong culture of compliance, rooted in empowerment and education, is the foundation for any successful practice. You can significantly reduce risks and avoid costly violations by proactively training your team, providing the right tools, and empowering them to speak up. Smart solutions can streamline training, policies, procedures, and more, ensuring all staff know the safeguards to protect them at work. A safe practice is a strong one, and it will thrive, allowing your team to continue providing your patients the highest quality of care. Meet with a compliance expert today to learn more about OSHA in your practice.

HIPAA Minimum Necessary Standard
Abyde News, Best Practices, HIPAA

Patient Privacy 101: The Minimum Necessary Standard Explained

August 7, 2025 No comments yet

August 7, 2025   Under HIPAA, healthcare practice staff must keep a secret. This means everyone with access to patient data, from doctors to receptionists, can’t share any information about a patient. While it might feel enticing for a nurse to tell their friends about an old high school bully coming into their practice with a rash, and revenge might feel sweet, it’s a total HIPAA no-no.  One of the pillars of HIPAA is the Privacy Rule, which dictates when and if Protected Health Information (PHI) can be shared. The Privacy Rule keeps patient data secure and allows the best care, with patients knowing their information will remain confidential.  However, sometimes information needs to be shared. This is where the Minimum Necessary Standard comes in. With this rule, healthcare providers and their Business Associates can share PHI if it’s vital to complete work tasks.  Safeguarding confidential information upholds the integrity of your practice and allows patients to feel comfortable when addressing health concerns. Your practice must follow HIPAA to keep patient data safe and secure.    What is the Minimum Necessary Standard? All in the name, the Minimum Necessary Standard defines how HIPAA-regulated entities can share information. Depending on the situation, more information might be warranted to be shared compared to others.  The easiest way to explain the HIPAA Minimum Necessary Standard is to compare it to ordering pizza. When you order a pizza for delivery, you only provide the minimum necessary information: your name, what you want to eat, and your address. You wouldn’t share details like what you ate for breakfast or the names of everyone in your house because that information isn’t needed for the delivery. In a healthcare setting, while not as cheesy, the same principle applies. A front-desk receptionist, for example, needs access to a patient’s basic information to confirm an appointment. They don’t need access to the patient’s full medical history. The minimum information required for their job is scheduling and patient identification, not the patient’s back surgery details. The HIPAA Minimum Necessary Standard ensures that everyone, from the front desk to doctors, to even your vendors, can only access the PHI they absolutely need to do their job. In some situations, more information can be shared more easily. These exceptions include disclosures for treatment purposes, such as when a doctor needs a patient’s complete medical history to provide proper care. Your practice can share PHI with the patient directly, or someone with explicit authorization from the patient, or in a public emergency. Finally, disclosures may also be required by law.   Simplifying the Minimum Necessary Standard Your staff must uphold the security of PHI. By following the HIPAA Privacy Rule, you stay compliant and build a successful practice. When patients feel confident that their records are safe, they’ll trust you and feel empowered to choose your practice.  It’s a serious responsibility. With the right solution, staff can be appropriately trained to handle health records. Smart software can streamline training for your practice and provide dynamically generated policies and procedures for all staff to access and review whenever they have a question regarding the use of PHI.  Meet with a compliance expert today to learn more about protecting your practice and patients.

HIPAA Business Associate Agreements
Abyde News, Best Practices, Business Associates, HIPAA

Under the Microscope: Your Business Associates Are Now the OCR’s Top Priority

August 4, 2025 No comments yet

August 4, 2025   Let’s talk paperwork. While that might not seem like the most interesting or important thing to focus on when running your practice, having the right documentation is key to its success.  A Business Associate Agreement (BAA) is one of the many documents you need to be HIPAA compliant when running a practice.  When working with Business Associates (BAs), or the third-party vendors who can access your practice’s Protected Health Information (PHI), you must have a signed agreement in place. These BAs can include anyone from your IT company to the company that handles your shredding. In short, if a business has any access to PHI, it’s required.  The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has put Business Associates (BAs) in the hot seat, with proposed new legislation strengthening their requirements and millions of dollars in fines imposed this year alone. It’s time to take a fresh look at your partnerships, and the best place to start is by having a solid BAA.    What does a BAA do?  First things first, what does a BAA even do for your practice? What does it include?  Well, this required agreement outlines all responsibilities your practice and business partner must follow when handling PHI. The document includes the definition of PHI, when the BA can use the data, and how each party must secure data. This legally binding agreement ensures each party understands the serious nature of handling PHI.  Overall, it’s another layer of protection to clearly define your relationship with a BA.  A BAA is essential, especially when a Business Associate experiences a data breach. Business Associates are frequent targets for malicious actors.  One of the first fines in 2025 was a $90,000 penalty for a ransomware breach that targeted a data hosting company. This breach exposed the PHI of patients from 12 different healthcare practices. These 12 healthcare practices would also need a BAA with the hacked party. If not, the Covered Entity could also be liable for the BA’s missteps.  The OCR has also fined Covered Entities for missing a BAA. Here’s a prime example: A healthcare provider was in a nasty dispute with their BA. They even reported the BA to the OCR, claiming the BA was holding PHI hostage for a $50,000 payment. But here’s where it took a turn: The OCR didn’t just investigate the BA; they also focused on the healthcare provider. The result? The OCR slapped the provider with a $100,000 fine for missing crucial documentation, including, you guessed it, a BAA.   Keeping BA Partnerships Secure While ensuring documentation is in order is no one’s idea of fun, protecting your practice and keeping patients’ data safe is imperative.  With the right solution, your practice can make documentation a piece of cake. While a BAA may not be as appealing as chocolate fudge, software can streamline the process, creating a legally sound and complete document that is just as satisfying. Meet with an expert today to learn more about ensuring compliant vendor relationships. 

HIPAA Compliant Password Management
Abyde News, Best Practices, HIPAA

Strong Passwords, Secure Patients: Protecting PHI in Healthcare

July 23, 2025 No comments yet

July 23, 2025   While Password123 might be easy to remember, it might not be the best password.  In our current healthcare landscape, intertwined with technology, from EHR systems to patient communication, it’s time to upgrade password security. A strong password and other layers of protection are key to keeping your practice’s logins secure and, ultimately, patient Protected Health Information (PHI).  Thorough password management might be the deciding factor in stopping a major breach.  Just look at the Change Healthcare debacle. Billions of dollars lost, systems crashed, insurance claims in limbo, and over 100 million patients exposed. At the root of this? Missing multi-factor authentication (MFA).  After major breaches caused by poor password management, it’s time to prioritize your passwords and adhere to best practices.   Ditch the Default Password Let’s face it. It’s tempting to use passwords everywhere. However, it’s a password security red flag.  When it comes to passwords, we recommend at least eight characters with several unique characters, including a number, an uppercase letter, a lowercase letter, and a symbol.  This enhanced security makes unauthorized account access more challenging. Also, if one account is compromised, the breach can be more easily contained than if all logins shared the same password. On that note, ensure all staff have their own logins. This isn’t just about stopping password sharing; it’s about giving your practice the power to keep a close eye on who’s accessing Protected Health Information (PHI) and quickly spotting anything out of the ordinary.    When in Doubt, Change it Out  We also recommend changing passwords at least three times a year, keeping account access current, and making unauthorized users’ access more difficult.  Regular password changes help mitigate risk if an older password is exposed in a data breach, and make it harder for hackers to brute-force guess your password. They also ensure that anyone who has lost access to your accounts, such as offboarded staff, cannot continue to access systems.  By consistently making password changes a part of your security routine, you create a dynamic defense that significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.   Your Password’s Best Friend: Multi-factor Authentication On top of having a secure and current password, having MFA enabled on all your accounts is key to keeping PHI safe.  Just like peanut butter and jelly, passwords and MFA are a perfect pair. MFA is that crucial next step, providing an extra layer of security that makes a major difference in keeping your information safe. Common MFA examples include a text, a random code generated, or even through an automated call. That extra protection ensures that the person logging in is authorized and authenticated.  This extra level of protection ensures that when someone tries to log into your accounts, it’s truly you. It’s all about verifying and authenticating that the person accessing the account is authorized. With MFA enabled, a hacker won’t be able to log in without that unique code sent to your phone, an app, or even your email. This significantly increases the difficulty for unauthorized access, giving you peace of mind that your PHI remains secure.   Securing your Compliance Program  The sheer volume of tasks can make managing compliance feel like a full-time job, from multi-factor authentication to complex password policies and regular access reviews. While it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, your practice can streamline this with the right solution.  Smart software simplifies compliance for your practice by sending out compliance reminders, such as when it’s time to change your password, providing best tips and practices, and automating policies and procedures for your practice.  Meet with an expert today to see how you can streamline compliance for your practice. 

HIPAA for Chiropractors
Abyde News, Best Practices, HIPAA

HIPAA for Chiropractors: What You Need to Know

July 3, 2025 No comments yet

July 3, 2025 In chiropractic healthcare, staying aligned with regulations is key.  While some might consider Chiropractic medicine an alternative healthcare option, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) covers the field. That means your practice must secure all patient data transmitted to and from a chiropractic office.  Protected Health Information (PHI) encompasses all personally identifiable data, such as names, birth dates, and treatment details, and must be securely maintained. For chiropractic offices, this commonly includes comprehensive treatment plans and spinal X-rays. For chiropractic offices, no matter the size, HIPAA for chiropractors isn’t just a recommendation—it’s required whenever patient data is involved. What does this mean for your chiropractic practice? With the right barriers, you can continue to adjust patients while ensuring the safety of Protected Health Information (PHI), promoting patient trust and transparency in protecting their data.    What’s Required for HIPAA for Chiropractors?  While solely a yearly training might be what your practice expects, HIPAA for chiropractors requires a much more comprehensive approach.  HIPAA has three pillars: the Security Rule, the Privacy Rule, and the Breach Notification Rule.  The Security Rule is focused on the administrative, technical, and physical safeguards your practice must have to secure patient data.  Under this rule, your practice must complete a Security Risk Analysis (SRA) annually. The SRA is an extensive review of your current practices in your chiropractic office. Everything must be documented, from how your practice checks in patients to how your staff electronically sends patient data. By reviewing this every year, your practice can identify vulnerabilities before they become compliance issues.  While this annual review might seem simple, unfortunately, it is a frequent pitfall for practices. When randomly audited, only 14% of healthcare practices could produce a compliant SRA.  A missing SRA is one of the most common reasons for HIPAA fines, with over $150 million levied to healthcare practices across America.  Your chiropractic practice must ensure that the proper safeguards are in place and that PHI is shared carefully. That’s where the Privacy Rule comes into play.  According to the Privacy Rule, health information should be shared as little as possible and only when absolutely necessary. For instance, while you may want to share patient stories, all health information must stay confidential. This rule also mandates that patients provide their health records to those who request them within 30 days of the initial request. This rule requires thorough training with staff, making sure all are aware of the responsibility they must uphold when handling patient data.  Lastly, the Breach Notification Rule establishes a required course of action after a breach. Even with the proper safeguards and minimum health information shared, breaches can happen.  If patient data is breached, chiropractors must notify impacted patients within 60 days of discovery, regardless of the size of the breach. Depending on the number of patients impacted, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) must also be notified. Did you accidentally print out and provide someone else’s information to a patient? This must be reported to the OCR by 60 days after the end of the calendar year. A major ransomware attack exposed the information of over 500 patients? The OCR must be informed within 60 days. This also depends on what state your chiropractic office is in, so make sure to check state law and see if your state attorney general must also be notified.    Adjusting Your Compliance Program While this might feel overwhelming for your chiropractic office to handle, your organization can easily achieve compliance with the right compliance solutions.  Due to HIPAA’s complexity, smart software solutions can walk your chiropractic practice through every step of the process. Software can easily streamline annual requirements, like the SRA, asking intuitive questions to identify compliance gaps proactively. Other requirements, like training, policies, and procedures, can also be found in a centralized hub. By simplifying compliance, your chiropractic office can commit to what it does best: adjusting patients to improve their well-being and quality of life. Meet with a compliance expert today to learn more about HIPAA for chiropractors. 

Common Dermatology HIPAA Fines
Abyde News, Best Practices, HIPAA

Protecting Every Layer: HIPAA Essentials for Your Dermatology Practice

July 1, 2025 No comments yet

July 1, 2025   HIPAA violations are not skin-deep.  Dermatology practices, like all healthcare practices, are subject to HIPAA legislation. Common HIPAA violations erode reputation and patient trust, potentially costing your practice significant legal fees and fines.  Dermatology practices have unique data, like photos of skin ailments and reports of skin biopsies, which must be securely handled.  Sharing a picture of an abnormal mole without proper documentation, even if it looks harmless, is a HIPAA violation. Why? This is because the image includes identifiable health information about your patient.  The good news? Frequent HIPAA pitfalls can easily be prevented with the proper safeguards and education. Being aware and implementing the right proactive safeguards secures your practice.    Social Media 101  Before-and-after patient photos can be a powerful marketing tool on social media, but mishandling them could attract unwanted attention from the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).  It’s totally normal to be proud of the great results you achieve for your patients. However, if you plan to share how your treatment helped a patient publicly, you must have that patient sign a media consent form. This form explicitly grants permission to share their healthcare procedures or results online. Beyond that, your practice must have a well-defined multimedia policy outlining how social media is handled. This ensures your entire staff is equipped and aware of their responsibilities regarding sharing information online, keeping everyone compliant, and protecting patient privacy. It’s also important to regulate your dermatology staff’s communication with patients on social media. While a patient may leave a positive review about how a chemical peel treatment made them look younger, you cannot confirm or deny whether that patient visited your practice. If you want to use a favorable review in your social media marketing, make sure the patient has signed the media consent form. Even a negative review can lead to a HIPAA violation if you’re not careful. While it’s tempting to defend your practice publicly, the cost of a violation far exceeds the initial frustration. For instance, one practice faced a $10,000 fine for disclosing Protected Health Information (PHI) on Yelp. The right move would have been to move the conversation offline and communicate with the patient privately through a secure channel.   Staying Ahead: Security Risk Analysis One of the most common fines is missing a vital piece of proactive compliance. The Security Risk Analysis (SRA) is a thorough assessment of all the safeguards your practice has in place to secure PHI. The minimum annual SRA must be completed before and after a HIPAA breach, showcasing your practice is aware of vulnerabilities and documenting how they are addressed.  This isn’t an isolated issue; it’s a widespread compliance gap, with only 14% of healthcare practices able to produce a compliant SRA during random audits. The recent case of a dermatology organization that faced an investigation after a substantial ransomware breach. The incomplete SRA discovered during the investigation led to a hefty $250,000 fine for the practice. It’s a common misconception that fines are solely a consequence of ransomware attacks. However, the true underlying reason for a fine is the failure to implement appropriate preventative safeguards. While ransomware attacks and cybercrimes can certainly occur despite even the most robust safeguards, a practice’s preventative and reactive response and ability to mitigate risk swiftly determine whether a fine is levied.   Improper Paper Trails The entire lifecycle of PHI, from generation to deletion, needs to be handled securely. This includes properly shredding and disposing of records. Any image of a patient’s skin, old samples, etc., must be disposed of securely. First, records need to be kept for at least six years, but once disposed of, they cannot be traced to patients and must be destroyed entirely. Simply putting records in the trash isn’t going to cut it. In fact, Business Associates can handle data destruction for your practice.  A dermatology practice was fined for improper disposal. Empty specimen containers, with PHI on the label, such as patient names, dates of birth, and more, were thrown in unsecured trash. After discovering that this disposal was typical for the dermatology organization for years, the practice was fined over $300,000.    How to Avoid Common Dermatology HIPAA Violations The right HIPAA compliance program can avoid these common missteps. Proactive compliance, including thorough training and a maintained SRA, is key to the success of your dermatology practice.  While handling your practice’s compliance program might feel overwhelming, compliance solutions can streamline this process.  Intelligent software can easily pinpoint and address common violations in a centralized compliance hub. By maintaining control and proactively addressing compliance gaps, your practice can achieve peace of mind. Meet with a compliance expert today to learn more about simplifying HIPAA compliance for your dermatology practice. 

Mid-Year Healthcare Compliance 2025
Abyde News, Best Practices, HIPAA, OSHA

Mid-Year Check-Up: Are You Up-to-Date on Healthcare Compliance?

June 26, 2025 No comments yet

June 26, 2025   Healthcare compliance is an ever-evolving landscape, with new initiatives and updates announced to better protect patients and staff. As the year progresses to its midpoint, it’s crucial to seize this opportunity to stay informed on the latest developments in the field.  HIPAA and OSHA both have new significant updates that will directly impact practices.    New HIPAA Security Rule Legislation In December 2024, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released proposed updates to the HIPAA Security Rule.  One of the pillars of the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act, the Security Rule focuses on the safeguards that must be deployed to keep Protected Health Information (PHI) secure.  In response to the rise of large breach ransomware attacks, which have nearly tripled in the last several years, the OCR is increasing cybersecurity requirements when handling patient PHI.  For instance, under this new legislation, some new requirements include an asset log, network segmentation, and multi-factor authentication. These requirements are all heightened precautions when protecting patient data.  Under this new legislation, the vendors your practice works with will also experience increased scrutiny. For example, under this proposed rule, Business Associates (BAs) now must have their compliance practices verified by a cybersecurity expert annually. BAs must also alert Covered Entities within 24 hours after a breach with a contingency plan.  These soon-to-be added responsibilities demonstrate the vital role BAs play in protecting patients. The comment period for these updates wrapped up in March, and the OCR is reviewing all 4,000 comments before a final rule is announced.    Workplace Violence Prevention Legislation  When healthcare workers are five times as likely to experience workplace violence, federal legislation is soon to follow.  While Workplace Violence Prevention currently falls under the General Duty Clause of OSHA, or the basic requirement of providing a safe workplace for employees, state-level legislation focused on this continues to go into effect. State legislation regarding this vastly differs. Nearly every state has heightened charges for attacking a healthcare worker, being classified as a felony rather than a misdemeanor. Still, now many are requiring specialized training and reporting requirements specifically addressing violence in healthcare workplaces. For example, California, Texas, and Virginia all have comprehensive healthcare workplace violence plans. California even requires near misses and threats to be logged for the state.  While federal legislation has not been released yet, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) will likely be announced this year.    HIPAA Audit Program & Risk Analysis Initiative The OCR has reintroduced the HIPAA Audit Program, randomly selecting HIPAA-regulated entities and reviewing their current HIPAA programs. The last time this program was in effect was in 2017.  The last round of audits found that 86% of Covered Entities could not produce a compliant Security Risk Analysis (SRA) when prompted by the OCR. The SRA is a thorough assessment of the safeguards and routines currently in place to secure PHI.  Practices frequently overlook the Security Risk Analysis (SRA), yet it’s a primary defense, proactively addressing concerns. In fact, the OCR’s October 2024 Risk Analysis Initiative specifically targets practices that fail to complete an SRA, and this initiative has already resulted in nearly a million dollars in fines.   Right of Access Fines Improper patient records release continue to be a common pitfall for practices. Records must be provided to patients within 30 days of a request. With over 50 enforcements of the Right of Access Initiative, millions of dollars have been paid by practices.   This easily preventable fine highlights the significant impact of patient complaints (the leading cause for investigations) and the OCR’s diligence in addressing Right of Access violations.   Getting Prepared for the Rest of the Year While it feels like new initiatives are frequently being announced by the OCR, it is your practice’s responsibility to implement new updates. With the right HIPAA compliance program, smart software can ensure your practice will always be prepared, with new legislation instantly updating in the software.  To learn more about what’s next in HIPAA, watch our latest webinar regarding current events in HIPAA here.

OSHA in Dermatology
Abyde News, Best Practices, OSHA

OSHA in Dermatology: Best Practices to Achieve Compliance

June 12, 2025 No comments yet

June 12, 2025   While working in a dermatology office might have you focused on taking care of your patients’ skin, your health should be the first priority.  It’s easy to incorrectly assume a dermatology office is a relatively “safe” healthcare environment. After all, we’re not typically dealing with the same acute emergencies as an ER. Dermatology presents many challenges when working with patients, such as lasers, sharp instruments, chemicals, potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens, and more.  With these unique challenges, your practice must be aware of the safeguards the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires.   More than Skin Deep: Facility Risk Assessment An annual Facility Risk Assessment (FRA) is the foundation of your OSHA compliance program. The FRA is a thorough assessment of the healthcare hazards your practice might face. This assessment spans from your staff is trained, to unique equipment you might use, how situations are prevented, and even how management handles workplace safety. Since this is an annual requirement, this assessment must be kept current. If your practice introduces anything new that might heighten risk, this needs to be documented. For instance, if your practice begins offering laser treatments, this must be mentioned in the FRA and also staff must be trained on how to use it safely.  By reviewing and addressing potential vulnerabilities in your practice, you can mitigate risks and ultimately keep patients safe.    Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Dermatology: Your First Line of Defense While you advise patients on sun protection, remember that your staff’s skin needs protection, too. Always ensure that it remains covered with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PPE, like gloves and masks, are essential barriers that keep your team safe. Your practice must supply this PPE and provide comprehensive training on how to use it correctly.  For instance, when a staff member is with a patient, a new set of gloves is always required. From putting them on to how they must be disposed of, these are all critical ways to keep staff members safe.  Depending on the treatment, your staff may also need eye protection. As a result, it’s essential to review all available forms of PPE with staff before they start working with patients.    Dermatology Laser Safety When it comes to lasers in your dermatology practice, preparation is paramount.  It’s not enough to just have the equipment; you need to ensure every team member is properly trained and fully aware of the risks associated with these powerful devices. Once again, proper PPE is vital, such as eyewear and gloves. Additionally, the room where the laser is being used must adhere to safety guidelines, including not having any reflective surfaces for the laser to shine off.  Your practice should designate a Laser Safety Officer to oversee and enforce compliance. This staff member is likely already your OSHA Safety Officer, or OSO. This Laser Safety Officer needs to ensure staff is routinely trained on lasers, especially if new equipment is being used.  For staff safety, the laser device must be off when not in use.  While laser treatments offer dermatologists innovative possibilities, proper staff training always remains crucial.    Keeping Your Dermatology Practice Safe Ensuring the safety of your dermatology practice is not just about compliance; it’s about fostering a secure environment for both your dedicated staff and your valued patients.  Your practice can proactively address potential hazards by diligently conducting annual facility risk assessments, consistently utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment, and prioritizing comprehensive training.  With the right solution, your practice can streamline these requirements. Smart software can utilize the answers from your FRA and provide thorough policies and procedures and recommended training. A safe practice is a successful practice.  To see how you can streamline compliance for your practice, schedule a meeting with a compliance expert today.

OSHA in Dentistry
Abyde News, Best Practices, OSHA

A Dentist’s Guide to OSHA Compliance

May 15, 2025 No comments yet

May 15, 2025   On a global scale, more than 2 million healthcare workers experience needle-stick injuries on an annual basis. Dentists are at the most at risk, with 59% of dentists studied experiencing needle stick injuries.  Dentists are particularly susceptible to OSHA violations due to the daily use of sharps and the increased possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens and saliva when working in patients’ mouths. Protecting your dental team through safety and compliance isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential. Here’s a clear look at the standard preventive measures for OSHA in dentistry.    First Line of Defense: Training There are numerous safety precautions to keep staff safe, but the first layer of protection is proper training and procedures. Before working with patients, staff must be thoroughly trained on the possible risks and mitigation techniques. Staff must also be provided a walk-through of the practice, assuring they know where all emergency equipment and exits are located.  Training programs must review all possible risks, like sharps, bloodborne pathogens, radiation, etc. Videos and training materials must be easily accessible for staff to review. All relevant policies outlining compliant procedures for various situations must also be accessible to all staff members. Training is the foundation of a compliant practice, and with proper OSHA in dentistry training, your staff can feel confident handling any situation.    Always Wear Personal Protective Equipment  While it might not always be the most fashionable decision, wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is imperative to keep staff safe.  It is key that staff always wear PPE when working with patients. PPE can be defined as gloves, masks, gowns, face shields, and more. By wearing PPE, your staff have a barrier when working with patients, minimizing the risks of exposure.  PPE must be provided to staff free of charge, cultivating a safe environment. Staff must also be appropriately trained to use PPE when working with patients, ensuring all know the necessary steps to protect themselves. PPE minimizes exposure to risks by limiting contact with patients, and is a staple for a safe healthcare practice.    Stay Sharp: Handling Needles Carefully  Dentists are well aware of the risks associated with working with needles, scalers, and other sharps.  Use sharps carefully and utilize devices with safety features when working with sharps. Many sharps have preventative measures, like retractable needles after use, self-sheathing blades, and reinforced containers for sharps.  When using sharps, ensure your staff wear gloves and other applicable PPE. Sharps handling, from initial use on a patient to disposal, requires strict adherence to safety protocols to minimize the risk of accidental sticks and the transmission of bloodborne pathogens.   Bloodborne Pathogens 101  Working in healthcare, especially dentistry, puts staff at risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that cause disease, like hepatitis B, C, and HIV. The World Health Organization states that 3 million healthcare workers are exposed to bloodborne diseases through skin puncture injuries each year. With PPE and appropriate sharps equipment, your staff is already significantly mitigating risk.  However, if a sharp needle or blade pricks a staff member, it is essential to receive First Aid to protect the wound immediately. The staff member should have their blood tested as soon as possible. Depending on the situation, time is of the essence after a sharps incident. Some diseases, like HIV, can be prevented within 3 days of exposure.  While it can be overwhelming, staff must stay calm and follow the proper procedures after an incident, with most sharps incidents not resulting in an infection.    Simplifying OSHA Compliance As you can see, handling OSHA compliance in dentistry can be daunting. With the correct compliance program to address numerous risks, your dental staff can feel secure and concentrate on delivering excellent patient care. Intelligent OSHA software offers automatically generated policies, required forms, and training resources in a centralized compliance hub, providing a documented compliance program for your team. Meet with a compliance expert today to learn more about how you can streamline your OSHA compliance program. 

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