HHS, OIG release compliance resource guide

HHS and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently released a resource guide outlining how to measure compliance program effectiveness. After surveying compliance professionals and staff from within HSS, seven key elements of compliance programs were identified:

1. Standards, policies, and procedures

2. Compliance program administration

3. Screening and evaluation of employees, physicians, vendors and other agents

4. Communication, education, and training on compliance issues

5. Monitoring, auditing, and internal reporting systems

6. Discipline for non-compliance

7. Investigations and remedial measures

The resource guide breaks down each element into key areas of focus. Element four, which focuses on communication, education, and training on compliance issues, is broken down into key areas including training, accountability, awareness, board, communication, competency, culture, incentive, and vendor and volunteer measures.

The guide lists, as well as many others, the following key measures for facilities to focus on when working with communication, education, and training on compliance issues:

• Risk-area-specific training to employees in high-risk positions
• Whether the organization maintains documentation of all education provided
• Whether employees are aware of the organization’s compliance program and their responsibilities