GHS Training

TRAINING DEADLINE APPROACHING!

OSHA is changing its Hazard Communications Standard to Align with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). Compliance with the updated system is Summer of 2015; however, OSHA is requiring all covered entities to train their staff on the new GHS system by December 1, 2013.


Q: What is the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)?

A: The GHS is an international approach to Hazard Communication and is based on major existing systems around the world, including OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard and the chemical classification and labeling systems of other US agencies.

The GHS provides criteria for health, physical, and environmental hazards of chemicals. It also includes standardized label elements that are assigned to these hazard classes and categories, and provide the appropriate signal words, pictogram's, and hazard and precautionary statements to convey the hazards to users. A standardized order of information for Safety Data Sheets (SDS) is also provided. OSHA Compliance Officers are responsible to ensure the necessary information is included and maintained in the practice Hazard Communication Plan.


Q: What are the SDSs?

A: The Hazard Communication Standard requires chemical manufacturers, distributors, or importers to provide Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) to communicate the hazards of hazardous chemical products. These Safety Data Sheets were formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Beginning June 1, 2015, the Hazard Communication Standard will require the new SDSs to be in a uniform format, and include section numbers, heading, and associated information.

All staff members must understand how to interpret the information contained on the SDS.

Q: If Compliance with the new Standard isn't until the Summer of 2015, why are we required to have all staff trained by December 1, 2013?

A: Training for staff must be completed by December 1, 2013 because many manufactures are beginning to use the updated labels, hazard statements, pictogram's, and signal words. It is essential that staff become familiar with them now, and understand how to use the information correctly.

New Hazard Communications Training!

Compliance PhD's NEW training covers:

• Conversion to the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
• Hazardous Chemicals List
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS) "Formally known as MSDS"
• Labeling of Hazardous Chemicals
• Pictograms
• Product Identifiers
• Signal Words
• Hazard Statements
• Precautionary Statements
• Using Labels

Q: I am a Members of Compliance PhD. Is there a cost for this training? How do I register my staff?

A: Current Members of Compliance PhD can register staff for this new training at "no-cost." Training Supervisors can register staff for courses by clicking on the user's name on the "Staff" page and then selecting "Edit Profile." Training Supervisors can then add this course to the users Registered Courses List.


Q: I am not a Member of Compliance PhD. What do I need to do so I can get my staff trained on this GHS information?

A: Join Compliance PhD Today! Our affordable and easy to use memberships will allow your entire staff access to train on the new GHS information and many other online trainings; including: HIPAA Security, HIPAA Privacy, OSHA, Fraud Waste & Abuse, Sexual Harassment and many more.

If you have questions about OSHA's transition to the new GHS system, or would like more information about Compliance PhD and the online training services we provide, please contact us.

www.CompliancePhD.com

720-475-0134

help@compliancephd.com

The HIPAA Omnibus Rule

The Deadline Has Passed!

Q: I have heard changes are being made to HIPAA. Is this true?

A: Yes. HIPAA is implementing a new Omnibus Rule that changes certain patient rights, and places Business Associates and their subcontractors under HIPAA Law. The Omnibus Rule also increases the penalties you as a practice can receive for non-compliance.

Q: Does the Omnibus rule apply to Healthcare Providers or Business Associates?
A: Both! Updates to HIPAA will impact both Covered Entities and Business Associates.

Q: What are the fines for non-compliance?
A: Under the updated Omnibus Rule, HHS has the ability to fine you multiple times during the year with fines reaching $1.5 Million Dollars. 

Recently, Health and Human Services (HHS) posted a video to You Tube explaining some of these changes.  You can link to their video HERE. 

Q: I just watched the video, but I am still confused. What do I do now?
A: If you are unsure how to train your staff in all of the updated information, you are not alone. Compliance PhD is here to assist you.

Compliance PhD provides Online Compliance Training for Healthcare Providers and Business Associates. Our Training Courses are constantly updated to ensure your staff receive training on the most current regulations.  Staff train at their own pace. Quizzes ensure their understanding, and Certificates provide you with proper documentation. 

Q: What do I need to do to become compliant with the new HIPAA rules?
1. Make sure all of your employees complete the Compliance PhD 2013 HIPAA Security and HIPAA Privacy Trainings.
2. Complete the Risk Analysis located in the Forms Section of the Compliance PhD site.
3. Make sure your Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) has been updated to reflect the changes to Marketing and Fundraising. An updated NPP is available in the Forms Section of the Compliance PhD site.
4. Update your Business Associate Agreements. Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) are available in the Forms Section of the Compliance PhD site.

Q: Does the Compliance PhD Online HIPAA Training reflect these new changes?

A: YES! Members of Compliance PhD can rest assured that the online training available to them is current with the HIPAA Omnibus Rule. Current Members of Compliance PhD have access to the most up-to-date training, posters, and forms.

Q: Other than Training, does Compliance PhD have anything else to help my practice?
A: Yes. Compliance PhD provides required Forms and Posters, including a Risk Analysis, Business Associate Agreement and Notice of Privacy Practices. 

Q: The Deadline has passed. What do I do now?
A: If you haven't updated your policies, trained your staff, and updated the necessary documents, then you are out of compliance and are at risk for stiff penalties.

Join CompliancePhD today and we will help you get compliant fast!

Still have questions?

Contact Compliance PhD at:
Phone: 720-475-014
Email: help@CompliancePhD.com

Follow us on Twitter: @CompliancePhD

Visit our website at

www.CompliancePhD.com

"No Food or Drink" Poster

In our effort to continue to provide Practice Managers with tools to assist them in their responsibilities, Compliance PhD has created a new "No Food or Drink" Poster. This poster can be displayed in your waiting or exam rooms to remind your patients that such items are not allowed.

Members of Compliance PhD can access all of the Practice Management Tools under the FORMS Section of the site.

Compliance PhD is pleased to offer this NEW poster for FREE to all readers of the Compliance PhD Blog.

To download this new poster click HERE.

If you are, or know of, a Practice Manager that could use some assistance with Employee Training in HIPAA and OSHA, as well as Practice Management Tools, then visit: www.CompliancePhD.com to learn how we can help.

www.CompliancePhD.com

NEW! OSHA Hazard Communication Standard Online Training

Beginning in 2015, OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard will align with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). The GHS system is an international approach to hazard communication and is based on major existing systems around the world.

The GHS System provides criteria for health, physical, and environmental hazards of chemicals. It also includes standardized label elements that are assigned to these hazard classes and categories, and provide the appropriate signal words, pictograms, and hazard and precautionary statements to convey the hazards to users. A standardized order of information for Safety Data Sheets (SDS) "Formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)" is also provided.

OSHA Compliance Officers are responsible to ensure the necessary information is included an maintained in the office plan, and that all staff are trained in that plan by December 1, 2013. Training for all staff is required by December 1, 2013 as manufacturers and distributors are already beginning to use the updated labels, and staff must be prepared to understand and interpret them correctly.

OSHA Compliance Officer Checklist:

1. Understand the Globally Harmonized System including labels, signal words, pictograms, and hazard and precautionary statements. 

2. Understand the Standardized Order of the NEW Safety Data Sheets and verify all staff's understanding. 

3. Train all staff in the new Standard by December 1, 2013. 

Like most Compliance Officers, you probably don't have the time or resources to accomplish all of this.

Don't worry, www.CompliancePhD.com is here to help. 

Compliance PhD provides its members with up-to-date Online Compliance Training. These simple to use Online Courses make it simple for a Compliance Officer or Office Manager to ensure all staff are current with the training they need; including the new OSHA Hazard Communication Training. 

Let www.CompliancePhD.com train your staff in OSHA, HIPAA, MEDICARE, and so many others. All of the Compliance Training your staff needs...All in One Place!

Visit www.CompliancePhD.com to learn more.

Cell Phone Poster

Do you frequently have patients chatting loudly on their cell phone in your waiting area? 
Are you trying to discuss treatment with a patient while they are busy texting?

If you have these, and other cell phone distractions, then it is time to create a new office policy banning cell phone use for the practice. Compliance PhD has created a new poster that will simply and effectively inform your patients that cell phone use in the office is no longer allowed.

It states: Please Turn Off Your Cell Phone. In consideration of all patients and office staff, we ask that you complete all calls and text messages prior to entering our office. 

Members of Compliance PhD have access to this poster and many other Practice Management Tools.  If you have questions about Health care Compliance, or need tools to train your office staff, contact Compliance PhD today, or visit www.CompliancePhD.com.

Compliance PhD is happy to provide the readers of this blog with free access to this new Cell Phone Poster. To download and print a copy of this new poster. Click HERE.

Compliance PhD

www.CompliancePhD.com

720-475-0134

Changes to OSHA's Hazard Communications Policy

Q: I have heard that OSHA is changing its Hazard Communications Policy to align itself with the GHS of Labeling. What does this mean?

A: Beginning in 2015, OSHA's Hazard Communications Policy will align with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). The GHS is an international approach to hazard communication and is based on major existing systems around the world, including OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard and the chemical classification and labeling systems of other US agencies.

The GHS provides criteria for health, physical, and environmental hazards of chemicals. It also includes standardized label elements that are assigned to these hazard classes and categories, and provide the appropriate signal words, pictogram's, and hazard and precautionary statements to convey the hazards to users. A standardized order of information for safety data sheets is also provided. OSHA Compliance Officers are responsible to ensure the necessary information is included and maintained in the practice Hazard Communication Plan.

Compliance with the updated system is Summer of 2015; however, OSHA has stated that covered entities must train staff on the new GHS by December 1, 2013.

Training for staff must be completed by December 1, 2013 because many manufactures are beginning to use the updated labels, hazard statements, pictogram's, and signal words. It is essential that staff become familiar with them, and how to understand the information correctly.

This Summer, Compliance PhD will be posting a new Hazard Communications Training. This training will cover:

• Conversion to the Globally Harmonized System
• Hazardous Chemicals List
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS) "Formally known as MSDS"
• Labeling of Hazardous Chemicals
• Pictograms
• Product Identifiers
• Signal Words
• Hazard Statements
• Precautionary Statements
• Using Labels

Current Members of Compliance PhD will be able to register staff for this new training at "no-cost."

If you have questions about OSHA's transition to the new GHS system, or would like more information about Compliance PhD and the online training services we provide, please contact us.

 

www.CompliancePhD.com

720-475-0134

help@compliancephd.com

Tips for Safeguarding PHI on your Mobile Device

Recently HealthIT.gov released additional information on safeguarding patient information when using a mobile device. They provide the following 10 tips when using a mobile device in your practice.

NOTE: These tips may also be downloaded from the "Forms and Posters" Section
of the Compliance PhD site.

1. Use a Password or other user authentication

2. Install and enable encryption

3. Install and activate remote wiping or remote disabling

4. Do not install or use file sharing applications

5. Install and enable a firewall

6. Install security software

7. Research mobile apps before downloading

8. Always keep your device in your possession

9. Use adequate security when using public Wi-Fi

10. Delete all stored health information before discarding mobile device.

If you have additional questions on safeguarding your patient's health information, or if you have questions about providing Compliance Training to your staff, contact www.CompliancePhD.com.

www.CompliancePhD.com

help@CompliancePhD.com

#720-475-0134

Compliance PhD 2013 Training Update FAQ

The following are Frequently Asked Questions about the 2013 Compliance PhD Training Course Updates.

Q: Can staff access 2012 courses?

A: NO. Only 2013 courses will be available.  Staff will be able to view and print the previous years’ training certificates, but the training links will be inactive.

Q: Do I need to register my staff for the 2013 courses?

A: Yes. Staff will need to be registered for the 2013 courses you would like them to take. In addition to including 2013 regulations, we have also combined the “Firing a Patient” and “Managing Angry Patients” in one training; now called, “Patient Interaction.”

We are also pleased to add and HR Tool that will allow you to create your own HR Training Tool

Q: How do I register my staff for 2013 courses?
A: Training Supervisors can register staff by:
      1. Sign-In
      2. Click on the "Staff" Link
      3. Select Employee's Name
      4. Click "Edit Profile" and Select Courses

Q: Will the online courses change?

A: Yes. Compliance PhD is constantly monitoring Federal Regulations to ensure your online training is up-to-date with current regulations. The online Training courses will be updated to reflect those changes.

Training is also updated in order to facilitate a more pleasing online training experience.  

Because the Training has been updated with new courses, Training Supervisors will need to complete "ADDITIONAL CUSTOM POLICY" Questions. To updated your policies, visit the "Policies" page.

Q: How often does my staff need to complete training?

A: OSHA and HIPAA training must be completed by each staff member at least every 12 months.  Staff involved with the billing of Medicare should also complete the Fraud, Waste, & Abuse Training at least every 12 months.

Q: Can I still print 2012 Certificates and Reports?

A: Yes. The online system maintains the history of your previous year’s activity. Training Supervisors may view and print reports and employee certificates from 2012. Only the previous year’s history is maintained, so it is important to print an Office Report at the End of each year to keep on file.

To Facilitate the 2013 Training Course Update,

www.CompliancePhD.com

will be under maintenance through January 6, 2013

If you have additional questions, or would like information about the benefits a Membership with Compliance PhD provides then contact us by email at:

help@CompliancePhD.com

or by phone at:

720-475-0134