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Table of Contents
HIPAA
Maintaining HIPAA compliance is not a complicated issue for physical therapists in private practice. Listed below are the steps and tools needed to become compliant.
A) Designate a compliance officer and follow the Compliance Plan Elements checklist:
1. Create a folder recording all your compliance documentation
2. Develop a "Code of Conduct" for company
3. Identify your risk of exposure and vulnerable areas (see sample checklist)
4. Establish a safe and convenient way for employees to report risk and vulnerabilities.
5. Conduct training sessions on HIPAA compliance
6. Monitor and audit compliance with your "Code of Conduct"
7. Establish a standardized disciplinary procedure for violation
8. Train managers and officers to enforce your "Code of Conduct" in a responsible and professional way.
Additional Documents FYI:
Privacy Law
Security Law
Q & A (All you need to know to disspell any myths and misconceptions)
B) Properly inform* new patients of your privacy practices by using the following forms:
1. Notice of Privacy Practices
You must have every new patient sign this form. They are not agreeing to or authorizing anything by signing this form. They are merely acknowledging you provided them with the policy on how you treat their confidential information. View sample.
*You should also display a copy of this form somewhere near your front counter
2. Business Associates Agreement
Whenever sharing patient information with an outside entity you do business with (ie. outside biller, orthotic lab, etc.) you must have this entity sign this agreement and keep it in your HIPAA folder. View sample.
3. Authorization to Disclose Protected Health Information
This form should be used prior to sharing any sensitive patient information with someone other than the referring MD or their health insurance company. View sample.
All the essential tools and required forms are included on CD of Tools. Easily customize all the required forms in a snap!
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Quality Assurance
Quality assurance is not only important for your patients satisfaction but your independence will depend on it. It's imperative that from the beginning you create systems that allow the same quality of care to be rendered with or without you being there. There are two main ways of accomplishing this and they are:
1. Safe and anonymous way for patients to give feedback about their care.
You can accomplish this by posting a sign up at the front desk with an 800 number, and an email address where patients can formally file a complaint. A patient satisfaction survey can also be made available for them to complete and mail-in or submit.
2. Staff initiated checks and balance system holding each department accountable to one another.
This topic is covered in detail in the 102 course.
3. Perform chart reviews and collect incident reports.
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Resource Links
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