December 4th, 2018
According to the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule, all covered entities and their business associates are required to report any breach of protected health information. It is essential to understand and implement all breach notification requirements or risk incurring financial penalties as high as $1,500,000 from state attorneys general and the HHS’ Office for Civil Rights.
What is a Breach?
October 15th, 2018
As we move towards the end of the year, many practices and physicians are starting to consider the data they will need to submit under the MACRA/MIPS program. The MACRA/MIPS rules change slightly every year, and this year is no exception. Even though the rules have been adjusted, a basic requirement remains in place:
September 20th, 2018
According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Security Rule covered entities (CEs) and business associates (Bas) that have access to electronic personal health information (EPHI) are required to implement safeguards necessary to protect it.
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September 6th, 2018
Under the HIPAA security rule, HIPAA covered entities (CEs) and business associates (BAs) are required to protect their electronic personal health information (ePHI), which typically involves identifying and mitigating software vulnerabilities that could put (ePHI) at risk. It also includes conducting a risk analysis, and implementing actions that will reduce these risks.
August 30th, 2018
The State of New York has signed into law a bill designed to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. The sweeping new legislation includes the requirement of sexual harassment policies and sexual harassment training for New York State employers. Those organizations who do not have prevention guidelines, anti-harassment policies, and training programs in place should develop and implement them immediately.
August 14th, 2018
Healthcare organizations nationwide remain focused on their IT security, as more and more cyberattacks wreak havoc across the industry. Within the last two years, nearly 50% of companies have experienced a data breach, and the severity of these attacks appear to be getting worse.
July 24th, 2018
In 2016, the FBI released a public service announcement warning that “business email compromise (BEC) scams have increased by 1,300% since 2015 and have cost businesses more than $3 billion. Making it a significant threat that businesses should be aware of to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim.
June 12th, 2018
According to a recent report by Symantec security firm, a cyber group called Orangeworm has targeted the healthcare industry and is wreaking its havoc across the sector worldwide. The group has been unleashing a malware known as Trojan.Kwampirs to gain remote access and compromise the computer systems of firms in the United States, Europe, and Asia. The purpose of the attacks is believed to be corporate espionage; their victims include healthcare providers, pharmaceutical firms, IT solution providers, and healthcare equipment manufacturers among others. (1)
May 16th, 2018
Nearly 4 out of 5 healthcare providers use a mobile device for professional purposes. These numbers continue to rise as healthcare organizations place an increased focus on efficiency and productivity. (1) Although mobile devices are incredibly efficient and convenient, they also harbor measurable risks for data breach and the exposure of protected health information (PHI).
May 3rd, 2018
The mobile technology revolution has impacted nearly every industry across the globe, with healthcare being no exception. Hospitals, clinics, and providers have all quickly embraced the use of smartphones and other mobile devices along with the convenience of accessing important medical information quickly.
April 11th, 2018
Despite the progress made in patient safety over the years, medical errors are still a significant source of injury and said to be the third cause of death in the US, indicating there is still much work to be done. Continued safety education and awareness on the proper methods, procedures, and processes are vital to ensuring patient safety within hospitals and healthcare facilities nationwide.
March 26th, 2018
March 11-17, 2018 was National Patient Safety Awareness Week (PSAW). This week is about raising awareness of patient safety and best practices among healthcare providers and consumers. It is an ideal time for medical practices and healthcare organizations to celebrate successes and focus on patient safety opportunities. This week MedSafe would like to recognize all of the hardworking patient safety professionals that contribute to advancing patient safety, reducing risk, and maximizing value-based care.
March 6th, 2018
The Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control released Ten Top Patient Safety Concerns that should be a priority in 2018, based on research from over the past year. Below is a synopsis of their findings in no particular order:
February 14th, 2018
Another strain of ransomware has wreaked its havoc on the healthcare industry. This time its victims include over 45,000 medical practices and 180,000 physicians that are clients of Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. Allscripts is a publicly traded American company that provides physician practices, hospitals, and other healthcare providers with practice management and electronic health record technology.
January 25th, 2018
ECRI Institute, a non-profit research organization, recently released its annual Top 10 List of Health Technology Hazards for 2018. The purpose of this report is to inform healthcare facilities about the important safety issues involving the use of health technology and bring attention to potential sources of danger.
January 5th, 2018
With the transition to “value-based care” well underway and healthcare’s shift from volume-based to value-based payment (VBP), significant barriers still remain for many providers while others have become more comfortable with VBP participation.
December 15th, 2017
Earlier this month, CMS delivered its final rule on the Quality Payment Program, starting January 1st, 2018. The following are eight critical points from the Final Rule that you should be aware of:
November 29th, 2017
Data breaches and ransomware attacks are among some of the top challenges that healthcare organizations face today. These issues can lead to extensive damage affecting entire organizations. Whether it is the breach of a patient’s privacy or the disruption of operations across an entire system, just one negative event has the potential to destroy a hospital’s reputation.
November 6th, 2017
The US Consumer Product and Safety Commission is recalling nearly 40 million Kidde-brand fire extinguishers because they may not work in an emergency. The fire extinguishers have been connected to one death, 16 injuries, 391 reports of failure to work properly, and 91 reports of property damage.
October 25th, 2017
More than 77 million individuals in the United States have limited health literacy skills and will likely encounter challenges interpreting and acting upon health information. (2) According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, nine out of ten adults may not have the skills needed to manage their health and prevent disease.