On May 23, 2020, the PA Department of Health (DOH) revised its guidance for ambulatory surgical facilities (ASFs) to require ASFs that intend to provide COVID-19 testing to patients and staff to hold the appropriate CLIA certification and state laboratory permit to perform such testing.
For specific information on what CLIA certification is required, please see the DOH’s guidance on … Continue Reading
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is keenly aware of the need to protect employees of dental practices returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 11, 2020, OSHA issued an alert listing safety tips employers can follow to help protect dental industry workers from exposure to COVID-19. OSHA’s alert is consistent with the … Continue Reading
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
In Guidance issued May 8, 2020 and May 9, 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has now permitted medical and dental practices across the Commonwealth to re-engage in the provision of non-urgent or elective care, with certain limitations.
Medical practices may now resume non-urgent and elective care “only when appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is available and telemedicine is … Continue Reading
In an effort to meet the increased demand for health care professionals during the current state of emergency and public health emergency, on May 5, 2020, pursuant to DCA Administrative Order No. 2020-05 and DCA Waiver No. W-2020-09, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs announced its Emergency Graduate Licensure Program, established pursuant to a new law signed … Continue Reading
In the continued fight against opioid addiction, Pennsylvania enacted a new law, effective November 27, 2019, that requires prescribers in Pennsylvania to implement additional steps prior to treating a patient’s chronic pain with a controlled substance containing an opioid, including the implementation of an Opioid Treatment Agreement. The new law can be accessed here: Act 112 of 2019.… Continue Reading
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued revised Guidance effective April 27, 2020, permitting ambulatory surgery facilities (ASFs) to resume the performance of elective procedures, if the ASF makes an affirmative decision that it is able to do so without jeopardizing the safety of patients and staff or the ASF’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 emergency.
In determining whether … Continue Reading
Early last week, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed sweeping legislation offering civil and criminal immunity to certain health care professionals and health care facilities battling COVID-19, retroactively effective March 9, 2020.
The new law does not apply to health care services or procedures performed by health care professionals that are unrelated to the COVID-19 emergency (including, but not … Continue Reading
Early last week, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed sweeping legislation offering civil and criminal immunity to certain health care professionals and health care facilities battling COVID-19, retroactively effective March 9, 2020.
The new law does not apply to health care services or procedures performed by health care professionals that are unrelated to the COVID-19 emergency (including, but not
Shortly after the State of New York relaxed its direct physician supervision requirements in response to the rampant spread of Novel Coronavirus 2019 (“COVID-19”), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) published revised standards for its direct physician supervision requirements on March 30, 2020 and April 9, 2020.
March 30, 2020 CMS Guidance