REMINDER OF TWO COMPLIANCE DEADLINES: HIPAA AND OSHA

The new HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules were published in the Federal Register on January 25, 2013 with a required compliance date of September 23, 2013.  The new rules provide increased privacy protection for patients, and the rules’ enforcement will generate increased office inspections by federal inspectors.  Fines for willfully ignoring the new requirements can reach 1.5 million dollars, so compliance is absolutely necessary.

The updated OSHA regulations focus on the Hazard Communication Standard which was published in the Federal Register of March 26, 2012.  This new Hazard Communication Standard has been implemented to align safety issues concerning hazardous chemicals with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling (GHS) directives from the United Nations.  The GHS demands that three areas of hazard information be included: (1) Classification of Chemicals and the type of risk each presents, (2) Labeling to include a pictogram, signal words, and a hazard statement, and (3) Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to replace Material Safety Data Sheets.

Suggestion: contact the ADA for more information about compliance; search online at www.hhs.gov (Go to the Office of Civil Rights or the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology); or seek the services of a consultant specializing in all aspects of compliance with the new privacy and safety regulations.