ABYDE FOR OREGON OPTOMETRIC PHYSICIANS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS

It's time for stress-free compliance.

  • EASIEST SOFTWARE YOU’LL EVER USE

    And if we’re being honest, easy is an understatement. All companies say it, but we are so confident in the simplicity of our software that we will prove it.

  • ‘HANDS OFF’ APPROACH

    We automate it all – from notifications about training to policy generation. Can you imagine not having to set your own reminders?! Go ahead, focus on your patients – we will ping you with the important stuff.

  • CUSTOMER SUCCESS TEAM LIKE NO OTHER

    We will meet you where you are – whether that’s by phone, chat, or email. It’s tough stuff in the tech space, but our customers love us as much as we love them.

  • STATE BY STATE, LAW BY LAW

    No matter what state your practice is in, our solution is for you — from sea to shining sea. We know our stuff and dedicate ourselves to staying on top of the latest state and federal changes so you don’t have to.

  • MORE THAN JUST SOFTWARE

    With us, you get more than policies and software. We offer Master Classes, newsletters, and more to keep you up to date. At the end of the day, we are proud to lead with education.

LATEST COMPLIANCE NEWS

History of HIPAA Compliance

HIPAA Turns 29: The Law That Changed Healthcare Forever

August 21, 2025   Happy birthday, HIPAA!  Since the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s inception on August 21, 1996, to say healthcare has changed is an understatement. As we journey through memory lane and maybe open a present or two, it’s essential to see how HIPAA has championed patient privacy rights and made healthcare better for all.    Life Before HIPAA While 29 years ago might not feel that long ago, the way healthcare staff handle Protected Health Information (PHI) has completely changed.  When HIPAA first arrived, its purpose was simple: improve healthcare portability and reduce fraud. What wasn’t as obvious at the time was that it would reshape how privacy, security, and patient rights were protected across the country. It was the 90s. The age of AOL dialup, grunge, and while not as memorable for most, the start of the digitization of health records. The government realized that healthcare’s move into the digital world would create risks instead of progress without rules for consistency, access, and security. As the law was put in place to set a foundation for the rise of the internet, there was another glaring concern: patient privacy.  Before HIPAA, your health records could easily be shared with your employer, landlord, and more. This information could influence hiring decisions, deny loans, and even more reasons unrelated to a patient’s medical treatment or health care reimbursement.   HIPAA’s Revolution As HIPAA was signed into effect, its core pillars continued to take shape. The final Privacy Rule was issued in 2003. Just two years later, the Security Rule in 2005 laid out the required technical, administrative, and physical safeguards for PHI.  But technology didn’t stop evolving.  As electronic health records became more widespread, so did the risks. This led to more legislation, including the HITECH Act of 2009, which strengthened HIPAA enforcement, increased penalties for noncompliance, and introduced the Breach Notification Rule, requiring organizations to notify patients when their data was exposed.  The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) also issued a final rule in 2013, which clarified legislation and increased the role that Business Associates play when handling sensitive information, and made it possible for vendors to be audited.  In the years since, HIPAA has continued to adapt to new challenges, like the rise of ransomware. Enforcement has also grown sharper, with multimillion-dollar settlements and corrective action plans reminding practices that compliance is not optional. HIPAA continues to grow and adapt to the future of technology, including new proposed updates likely to take effect next year.    What’s Next for HIPAA? Over the past nearly thirty years, it’s clear that compliance isn’t just a regulation; it’s a responsibility.  Healthcare providers and business associates all share the duty of keeping PHI safe. With new challenges like AI-driven threats, cyberattacks, and shifting regulations, HIPAA’s next chapter will be just as important as its first. As HIPAA continues to evolve, staying on top of HIPAA legislation can be overwhelming. With smart software, it doesn’t have to be. Intelligent software can stream the latest updates, documentation, and more to ensure your staff is compliant.  Here’s to HIPAA and what’s next for healthcare compliance.   Looking to learn more? Meet with a compliance expert today. 

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Preventing Workplace Violence in Healthcare

Safe + Sound Week: Preventing Workplace Violence in Healthcare

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.

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