Incidents involving paper records and desktop computers are second and third most common on the growing list of privacy breaches reported on the OCR website. (The No. 1 reason for privacy breaches re-mains the loss or theft of laptop computers and other portable devices. Briefings on HIPAA looked at ways to prevent those types of privacy breaches in the June issue.)
It may be too early to start intensive ICD-10-CM training for your coding team, but now is a good time for your coders to at least become familiar with features of the new system.
Regardless of the safeguards in place in any electronic document management system (EDMS), sometimes a document ends up in the wrong patient’s record. It was a reality in the paper world, and it is a reality in the scanned record world. Obviously, it was easier to rectify in the paper environment. So how does one address this issue with a hybrid electronic record?
When it comes to release of information (ROI), it may seem that exceptions are the rule. But you must know when you can and cannot release information to protect the privacy of your facility’s patients.
Increased ED volumes, changes in regulatory requirements, the required use of observation, and added scrutiny from the recovery audit contractors have made implementing an ED case management model essential.
Beatrice, 66, arrives at the long-term acute care (LTAC) hospital with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), hemodialysis, malnutrition, a stage IV coccyx decubitus ulcer, depression, and no family support.
