New guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) highlights the importance of updating corporate compliance programs to satisfy regulatory requirements. The 2020 updates pick up where the 2019 guidance left off in addressing the evaluation metrics for compliance. The key takeaway for 2020 is that companies are encouraged to update and improve compliance programs with the latest in … Continue Reading
Long-Term Care Facilities
Costs for COVID Tests – The Buck Stops Where?
Widespread testing for the novel Coronavirus is generally recognized as an important tool in combating the spread of the virus. The World Health Organization is an advocate for broad testing, so as to better locate incidents of infection for purposes of isolation, caring, and tracking.
However, the cumulative cost for such testing is significant. In a study commissioned by the … Continue Reading
Focused Infection Control Surveys for Nursing Homes to be Completed by July 31, 2020 — New Penalties for Identified Deficiencies
On June 1, 2020 CMS published QSO-20-31-All. It is effective immediately and provides in part as follows:
(1) States will need to perform focused infection control surveys (FICS) of 100% of the certified nursing homes in their State by July 31, 2020 or lose access to certain federal funding.
… Continue ReadingHeightened Cybersecurity Risks for Healthcare Organizations during COVID-19 Pandemic
In the midst of the COVID-19/Coronavirus Pandemic, cybercriminals are targeting healthcare organizations with phishing campaigns, ransomware, and other malicious acts that can adversely impact health information technology, medical response, and patient safety.
Recently, the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell issued an Advisory pertaining to such acts, which includes best practices for users and administrators of healthcare organizations to … Continue Reading
New COVID-19 Reporting Regulations and Requirements for Skilled Nursing Facilities, effective May 8, 2020
By Susan McNear Fradenburg on
On May 8, 2020, CMS published an Interim Rule, one portion of which is focused on new reporting requirements for skilled nursing facilities. The new reporting requirements, effective May 8, 2020, fall into two categories: (a) reporting COVID-19 Information to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC); and (b) reporting COVID-19 information to residents and family members. Details regarding the … Continue Reading
EEOC Permits Employers to Test Employees for COVID-19 Prior to Entering the Workplace
Hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinical labs, pharmacies, medical practices and dental practices may now test employees for COVID-19 prior to them entering the workplace.
Yesterday, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its COVID-19 guidance to provide that under the current circumstances presented by the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic, “an employer may choose to administer COVID-19 testing to … Continue Reading