The MedSafe Compliance Corner

The Department of Health and Human Services has finally come out with their final ruling on the Omnibus HIPAA mega rule.  This has felt like a long time coming, but the new provisions provide no big surprises.  MedSafe will be working with all of our HIPAA clients to get you up to speed and deliver the necessary changes for your manuals. 

With few exceptions, patients have the right to inspect and copy their medical information, but with the strict laws that govern protected health information (PHI), it is important for health care providers to understand proper procedures and rules that govern the release of medical records.

Next Thursday, November 15, the American Cancer Society will mark the 37th Great American Smokeout, a day which encourages smokers to quit smoking. According to the National Cancer Institute, smoking is the leading cause of premature, preventable death in the United States.

• FDA Does Not Recommended Further Regulation of Vicodin
• Republicans Threaten to Subpoena HHS Records
• AAP Updates Flu Guidance
• Patients Unable to Vote on Election Day Will Obtain Absentee Ballots

FDA Does Not Recommended Further Regulation of Vicodin

The Privacy Rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects patient health information, but allows release of medical records under certain circumstances, one of which is the safe harbor rule of de-identified information. But what exactly constitutes de-identified information?

• New Pertussis Vaccine Is Less Effective
• HHS Investigation Tests HIPAA
• Second Worst Year for West Nile Virus
• Diet and Exercise Not Helpful in Preventing Heart Attacks For Type 2 Diabetics
• Boys Entering Puberty Earlier

New Pertussis Vaccine Is Less Effective

A growing trend that is especially popular at Halloween is fashion contact lenses. You can add authenticity to your vampire costume by inserting lenses that are veined and bloody, or create the appearance of an alien with swirling patterns in your eyes. If Beelzebub himself is your alter-ego, red, glowing eyes are just the ticket. Your cat outfit can look positively feline with green eyes in the shape of a cat’s pupils, or maybe you want to be the girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

• Penalties Fail to Curb Hospital-Acquired Conditions
• Certification Program for Treatment of Obesity Advocated
• OSHA Announces Alternative Dispute Program to Whistleblower Program
• States Push for Greater Transparency in Medical Provider Credentials
• Study Shows Possible New Treatment for Eczema

Penalties Fail to Curb Hospital-Acquired Conditions

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) there are approximately 800,000 needlestick injuries each year, and more than 1,000 health care workers contract serious infections from these incidents. Nearly two-thirds of nurses report being accidentally stuck at some time in their career. Bloodborne pathogens spread through needlestick accidents include HIV, hepatitis, herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, and tuberculosis.

The Food and Drug Administration today announced the publication of a Request for Applications for grants to support the development of new animal drugs intended for minor species or minor uses in major species. (Major species are horses, dogs, cats, cattle, pigs, turkeys and chickens.)