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Quality Assurance in Nursing Healthcare: Quality assurance in nursing is about assuring quality in nursing by ensuring that practices are compliant with quality standards. This is a full-fledged profession with its own educational and experience requirements. Quality assurance in nursing has to be understood from the standpoint of quality assurance and compliance. Quality assurance in nursing is about ensuring adherence to quality standards as mandated by nursing regulatory bodies. Quality assurance in nursing assesses what healthcare processes are in place and what else needs to be implemented to better the system. Where do quality assurance nurses work? Professionals who make a career out of quality assurance in nursing are employed in various healthcare settings. They could work in clinics or small or large hospitals. Professionals who make a career in quality assurance in nursing are licensed registered nurses. Since they are registered nurses, they should also obtain a licentiate. To get this, they should complete a prerequisite approved nursing program. The exam for getting licensure is the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), a computer-based examination. A higher level of education for those in quality assurance in nursing is a master's degrees inhealth care quality or a near degree. In some healthcare organizations, this is required at entry level. Some of the works they do in maintaining quality assurance in nursing include: Reviewing reports or files to make sure that activities contained in them are following regulatory clinical standards Collaborating with colleagues from other departments to which nursing is related either directly or indirectly Interacting with other hospitals or organizations, if the need arises For professionals pursuing a career in quality assurance in nursing, the ability to analyze data and manage cases is a must, as a major part of their work involves these. They should also be prompt abou

What is Corporate Governance? In a broad sense, corporate governance can be defined as a set of processes by which corporations are run and administered. These are a collective function of the critical, core decision makers in the organization, such as Directors, CEO, managers, investors, stakeholders, shareholders, creditors, auditors and others. Corporate Governance sets out the methods and rules for making rules that govern corporate entities. Although business is the main concern and task of an organization, Corporate Governance occupies as important a position, because while the financial aspect of a business is all about profits, the Corporate Governance aspect is primarily about its integrity, values and reputation. Corporate Governance takes into consideration all aspects of the governance of the organization from critical standpoints such as ethics, regulatory aspects, policies and mission, etc. History of the growth of Corporate Governance Although Corporate Governance has been around for a number of decades in some or another form, it came to acquire proper shape and direction of late, following the collapse of very big multinationals such as Enron, WorldCom and others. It was felt that their shady dealings, which led to huge losses for their stakeholders and eventually to the businesses collapse, could have been averted if a proper regulatory framework of Corporate Governance were in place. This is the feeling that led to the passing of the Sarbanes Oxley Act, or SOX in the early 2000's. One of the core principles enunciated in SOX related to Corporate Governance. Elements of Corporate Governance As a result of the SOX Act and other legislations in other developed countries, such as the Cadbury Report of the UK and other legislations in the OECD nations; Corporate Governance is now administered through a well-defined set of principles. As a result of these legislations, Corporate Governance is now concerned with the following: Problems areas of Co

Patient Safety in Medical Education A very important aspect of medical education that had been overlooked for a long time is patient safety. When patient safety in medical education gets relegated to the backseat; the result is there for everyone to see: something like close to a 100,000 deaths at the turn of the previous century, according to the alarming results of a comprehensive study carried out by the Institute of Medicine. The tragedy of these deaths is that these were preventable. This reinforces the belief that patient safety in medical education is the core factor, which if handled properly, can save thousands of lives. How does patient safety in medical education come about? It goes without saying that physicians and other caregivers practice in their professions what they learn in schools. So, patient safety in medical education has to be incorporated into the curriculum at the earliest stages. Hospitals, medical colleges and other institutes that impart medical education have now started taking more than mere baby steps in inculcating patient safety in medical education as a core part of teaching, the already heavily burdened curriculum in medical education notwithstanding. Efforts by medical education bodies Following the publication of the IOM report, the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Curriculum Management and Information Tool (CurrMit) in the US and Medical Schools Council and the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK sprang into action, announcing a slew of measures aimed at bringing about and reinforcing patient safety in medical education. Entire lessons and chapters are devoted to patient safety in medical education. Keywords and technical jargon relating to patient safety are now a highly visible aspect of patient safety in medical education. These are spread across all disciples and subjects of medical education, be it gynecology or anesthetics. what should curricula teach about patient safety in medical edu

Overview: Discussions, presentation, and webinars regarding HIPAA regulations are usually addressed from the perspective of what the regulations entail, the necessity of compliance with the regulations, and the consequences of willful neglect or non-compliance. This presentation addresses HIPAA regulations from a different perspective - from a personal perspective - from the perspective of the person in charge of moving an organization or facility toward full compliance with HIPAA. The by-product of this presentation will be both an understanding of, and a detailed job description for, a position mandated in the regulations - the HIPAA Security/Privacy Officer. Why should you attend: The HIPAA regulations are numerous, complicated, often vague, and affect every person working in a healthcare facility. Compliance with HIPAA will require a unique individual to lead the charge - an individual whose education, background, experience, and demonstrated skill sets offer the opportunity for that person to succeed in achieving the goals of that position. This is a new position to most healthcare facilities. So understanding who this person should be, what is required of the person with this job title, and with whom this person will interface is vital to every healthcare organization with the goal of achieving full compliance with HIPAA. Areas Covered in the Session: Position goals Position requirements (education, experience, skill sets, etc.) Position responsibilities Stay abreast of regulations Initiate compliance with HIPAA (according to regulations) Ensure continuous progress toward full compliance Develop appropriate security/privacy policies & procedures Oversee and deliver appropriate training programs to all employees Track compliance with HIPAA regulations at the facility & individual levels Track access to PHI Investigate and resolve HIPAA violations Apply sanctions to HIPAA violators Manage any information security personnel Prepare a department

Overview: Drug and device research is confusing and difficult on its own but when you start combining drugs with devices the regulatory landscape changes as there are more nuances to deal with. Knowing how drug and device studies are each regulated is important in navigating the challenges posed by studies that wish to use both. It is also important to be aware of current guidance affecting the use of both drugs and devices in a study as well current guidance affecting the classification of devices. Why should you attend: Information on drugs and devices is plentiful. But, it can also be daunting .The webinar will give attendees a foundation and a starting point on which they can build. Learning objectives: Define drug research Define device research Explore the differences between the two Describe requirements when drugs and devices are combined in one study Areas Covered in the Session: Defining Drug Research FDA approved drugs Investigational drugs Compassionate use Defining Device Research FDA approved devices 510 K devices Humanitarian Device Exemptions Invitro Diagnostic Devices Investigational Devices Federal regulations governing drugs and devices Guidance governing drugs and devices Combining devices and drugs into one study What are the requirements? What are the regulations and guidance? How these studies are reviewed Who Will Benefit: Investigators Researchers Research Staff Study Coordinators Auditors Research Administrators Speaker Profile Sarah Fowler-Dixon is Education Specialist and instructor with Washington University School of Medicine. She has developed a comprehensive education program for human subject research which has served as a model for other institutions. She crafted budgets, policies, procedures, reporting, and training for the new program. She has initiated the planning, development, authorship and implementation of many human subjects research policies, practices, guidelines, submission and reviewer forms often working with st

Overview: The trial master file is a hard copy of all documentation relating to a clinical trial. It contains essential documents. When studies are conducted under ICH E6 Good Clinical Practices (GCP), this collection of documents must be present before, during and after the trial. These documents help provide quality assurance and help researchers evaluate their compliance with GCP, federal regulations and applicable laws. Why should you Attend: Anyone responsible for handling trial documentation or quality assurance activities. Areas Covered in the Session: Trial Master File (TMF): what is it? Essential documents required ICH guidelines and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance and expectations Paper or electronic trial master files - what is allowable Links to useful resources Who Will Benefit: This webinar will provide valuable assistance to all personnel in: Human Subjects Research Healthcare interested in exploring the field of Clinical Research New Clinical Research Coordinator positions (1-2 years) New Principal Investigator positions Administration in charge of Clinical Research Regulatory Compliance Speaker Profile Sarah Fowler-Dixon is Education Specialist and instructor with Washington University School of Medicine. She has developed a comprehensive education program for human subject research which has served as a model for other institutions. She crafted budgets, policies, procedures, reporting, and training for the new program. She has initiated the planning, development, authorship and implementation of many human subjects research policies, practices, guidelines, submission and reviewer forms often working with state and federal authorities. She has provided consultation regarding ethical, federal, state, and institutional requirements for faculty and staff both in the design and execution of their projects and teaches research ethics and regulatory affairs and the fundamentals of research manageme

A look at disruptive practitioner behavior policies: One of the very important factors needed for a healthcare unit to maintain its decorum and uphold its reputation is the implementation of disruptive practitioner behavior policies. The declaration and implementation of disruptive practitioner behavior policies goes a long way in ensuring that the hospital or healthcare center doesn't lose face. What are disruptive practitioner behavior policies? First, an understanding of disruptive practitioner behavior policies: Disruptive practitioner behavior policies may be termed as the putting in place in a healthcare providing unit a set of policies that are aimed at checking the errant and rude behavior of its staff members towards the patients and other people that use the services rendered by these centers. Who all carry out disruptive practitioner behaviors? Anyone in the healthcare setting can behave in an unbecoming and ungainly fashion with patients or those attending on them. Some of the typical types associated with disruptive practitioner behavior include shouting at them, bullying, intimidating, scolding loudly, being aggressive towards them, gesturing lewdly to them, and so on. This kind of behavior reflects very badly on the healthcare provider. Since there is intense competition in the healthcare providing industry; it is natural for patients to look for other centers when they face this kind of behavior. It is after all human to expect to be treated nicely. If one provider doesn't do that; patients look for other providers. Losing the patient, bad though it is, is not the only loss: When this becomes public, which is all the easier given the extensive reach of the social media; the healthcare unit's name goes for a toss. The role of disruptive practitioner behavior policies It is to curb this kind of behavior that disruptive practitioner behavior policies need to be put in place. Disruptive practitioner behavior policies can go a long way in reining i

Practical steps to compliance with HIPAA Computer Policy: That the HIPAA has a clear and stringent policy on computers is absolutely understandable, because computers constitute the very soul of HIPAA. Ensuring security of patient data is one of the core causes for which HIPAA was enacted; so, it is only natural that Computer Policy should be at the center of HIPAA compliance. A HIPAA Computer Policy rule came into effect in 2005. The nub of this enactment is to ensure that there are technical, physical and administrative security procedures that must be adhered with. These are meant for Covered Entities to ensure that the data they have of patients, namely electronic Protected Health Information (PHI) is safe and secure. Understand the reason for HIPAA Computer Policy Any implementation has to start with an understanding of the rationale for the action, right? The same goes for something as important and big as implementation of HIPAA compliance into systems. HIPAA Computer Policy is in place for a specific and critical reason ���protection of patient data, loss of which can lead to hefty penalties that can affect the business very adversely. So, installing the necessary protections is the first step to protecting vital data and with it, one's own business or practice, as well. Implement a sound access policy A strong access policy is at the heart of HIPAA Computer Policy. It is in the computer systems that all the data relating to the patient are stored. So, making sure who in the organization has access to these and how and when, is very important. Not only should access be restricted to only designated and permitted personnel in the organization; there should be a system by which tracking of access is easily determined. This is to find out who accessed which record, when, what action followed, what happened as a result of this access, and so on. Keep a record of all system components This is another step to ensuring compliance with HIPAA Computer Po

Elements of an efficient Healthcare computer system implementation Healthcare computer system implementation lies at the heart of a healthcare delivery information system. The processing and dissemination of information in extremely quick time is indispensable to healthcare, given the number of processes that go into the healthcare information system, and the improvement in care this can bring about. A healthcare computer system, which can be described as the ecosystem of a healthcare delivery information system, is thus a critical component, because this healthcare computer system implementation is what decides between the efficiency of a healthcare information system and lack of it. A healthcare computer system implementation should cover all the core areas that are part of a healthcare delivery information system, such as the patient, the caregiver, the medical records concerning the patient, the healthcare organization, and other aspects of administration, such as admission, billing and so on. what goes into an efficient healthcare computer system implementation? An efficient healthcare computer system implementation consists of taking into account all the major elements of a healthcare delivery information system. It should have the ability to synchronize, coordinate and integrate vital data from across departments and systems. An efficient healthcare computer system implementation should also take into account the technologies that go into them. Technologies keep changing rapidly. New ones come into being and render the old ones obsolete in no time. A healthcare computer system implementation has to take into account the nature of these changes, and should implement them in quick time. Technologies and technological tools that are doing the rounds today include the cloud, mobile technologies and the social media. So, a healthcare computer system implementation has to integrate these. In the particular context of the American healthcare system, healthca

Overview: Mental health care practitioners work in today's diverse, fast-changing, multidisciplinary health care environment. Nowhere but in mental health is there such diversity of clinicians who provide the same or similar services of counseling and therapy. A potential client has a wide choice of mental health providers from whom to choose. Yet each individual mental health profession has a unique education, training, and experience requirement for practice. While similarities exist, requirements differ from state to state and even from profession to profession with a single state. What are these requirements and how do they apply? The state's authority and power over mental health practitioners often presents challenges to these mental health professionals that are not easy to navigate. Differing sources of legal and ethical authority govern each respective health care practitioner in ways that are similar but not the same. Ethics and law are similar, but not the same. All mental health practitioners must adhere to standards of state law which govern their professional practices, including the very core of the doctor-patient relationship. Codes of ethics and state law may both apply to govern the conduct of this clinician. Even some state laws are referred to as ethical codes. Complaints as to alleged misconduct or ethical failings are received and investigated by a state agency and leave the mental health practitioner with an uncertain process to handle and to defend the state action against them. With this background, this seminar empowers the full understanding and application of ethics and laws for mental health practitioners. Learn to identify and understand an ethical framework for a sound mental health practice. An ethical framework is essential to having the right perspective to examine mental health dilemmas. Compare and contrast regulatory laws and codes of ethics to understand their differing applicability. Know the difference between laws and ethics,

Overview: The objectives of this course will be to go over the specific risks associated with business associates as it relates to HIPAA compliance. I will uncover myths versus reality as it relates to this very enigmatic law based on over 600 risk assessments performed as well as years of experience in dealing directly with the Office of Civil Rights HIPAA auditors. Times have changed and unfortunately many businesses are losing clients or unable to get new clients due to problems with their compliance program or lack of a compliance program. I will demonstrate from real life audits conducted by the Federal government what your highest risks are for being fined (some of the risk factors may surprise you). In addition this course will cover the highest risk factors for being sued for wrongful disclosures of PHI and the manner in which patients are now using state laws to sue for wrongful disclosures. States are being encouraged by the Federal government to implement new laws to remedy their citizens. Why should you Attend: Protect your business! Business associates are now required to comply directly with the HIPAA legislation! Many businesses are losing clients or unable to get clients because of compliance issues. We will be discussing the changes taking place in Washington DC with the Health and Human Services in relating to new risks business associates face under HIPAA. I will also be discussing factors might cause an unwanted visit or letter from the Office of Civil Rights and how to prepare for the audit and deal with the Feds Areas Covered in the Session: Updates for 2016 what to do if a client requires more than just a signed business associate agreement Fines Policy and Procedure Who Will Benefit: Any business associates who work with medical practices or hospitals (i.e. billing companies, transcription companies, IT companies, answering services, home health, coders, attorneys, etc) Speaker Profile Brian Tuttle is a Certified Professional in H

Overview: Essentially, covering in 90 minutes the basics of E everything that applies to your clinical work. We will give you the questions to ask your IT people, because you should not implicitly trust them, because the law will hold you accountable more than them. We will first cover the general principles of electronic compliances as laid forth in HIPAA. We will then discuss how this applies to your desktop/laptop/iPads and smart devices, other electronic equipment such as routers and modems. We also cover the use of email, secure mail and your EHR/EMR. We will discuss the pros and cons of using the cloud for your data storage and EHR/EMR, i.e. knowing what a HIPAA compliant data center looks like. Principles in the use of encryption and passwords and other security principles will also be covered. Why should you Attend: Unless you are 100% sure you've thought through every angle of your patient's electronic PHI and you sleep like a baby never concerned about this then you need to attend. If you have any questions about the details of what electronic compliance looks like and how it's applied in day-to-day clinical and business activities, interactions with vendors, EHR/EMR, your relationship with your ISP and IT providers, use of all electronic devices, then this workshop is for you. It also gives you principles to apply in new situations which are likely to arise frequently. If you wrote the book on this it would be out of date in 24 hours, so what's important is to learn how to think about these things and use your resources to stay ahead of the game. If you are confident you have the basics covered on every item listed below then this seminar is not for you. Areas Covered in the Session: HIPAA electronic compliance Secure use of EHR/EMR Email and secure mail use Encryption and password security principles Interfacing with the public Interfacing with vendors such as ISPs and other telecommunication companies Backups Cloud use How to know your data center

Overview: Discussions, presentation, and webinars regarding HIPAA regulations are usually addressed from the perspective of what the regulations entail, the necessity of compliance with the regulations, and the consequences of willful neglect or non-compliance. This presentation addresses HIPAA regulations from a different perspective - from a personal perspective - from the perspective of the person in charge of moving an organization or facility toward full compliance with HIPAA. The by-product of this presentation will be both an understanding of, and a detailed job description for, a position mandated in the regulations - the HIPAA Security/Privacy Officer. Why should you attend: The HIPAA regulations are numerous, complicated, often vague, and affect every person working in a healthcare facility. Compliance with HIPAA will require a unique individual to lead the charge - an individual whose education, background, experience, and demonstrated skill sets offer the opportunity for that person to succeed in achieving the goals of that position. This is a new position to most healthcare facilities. So understanding who this person should be, what is required of the person with this job title, and with whom this person will interface is vital to every healthcare organization with the goal of achieving full compliance with HIPAA. Areas Covered in the Session: Position goals Position requirements (education, experience, skill sets, etc.) Position responsibilities Stay abreast of regulations Initiate compliance with HIPAA (according to regulations) Ensure continuous progress toward full compliance Develop appropriate security/privacy policies & procedures Oversee and deliver appropriate training programs to all employees Track compliance with HIPAA regulations at the facility & individual levels Track access to PHI Investigate and resolve HIPAA violations Apply sanctions to HIPAA violators Manage any information security personnel Prepare a department budget Hold Bu

Overview: The Sunshine Act, or Open Payments Program, requires manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and biologics that participate in U.S. federal health care programs to report certain payments and items of value given to physicians and teaching hospitals. This Act was part of a healthcare reform bill adopted in March 2010. It came about due to requests for increased transparency about the financial relationships between physicians and industry. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) issued the final rules in 2013 which implemented the Sunshine Act. Why should you Attend: Anyone required to adhere to the Sunshine Act standards or anyone interested in knowing what must be reported and made public. Areas Covered in the Session: Purpose of the Sunshine Act Who is required to report under the Sunshine Act? what is reported? Exclusions Tracking Penalties Useful links Who Will Benefit: This webinar will provide valuable assistance to all personnel in: Human Subjects Research Healthcare interested in exploring the field of Clinical Research Clinical Research Coordinators Principal Investigators/Physicians Administration in charge of Clinical Research Regulatory Compliance Speaker Profile Sarah Fowler-Dixon is Education Specialist and instructor with Washington University School of Medicine. She has developed a comprehensive education program for human subject research which has served as a model for other institutions. She crafted budgets, policies, procedures, reporting, and training for the new program. She has initiated the planning, development, authorship and implementation of many human subjects research policies, practices, guidelines, submission and reviewer forms often working with state and federal authorities. She has provided consultation regarding ethical, federal, state, and institutional requirements for faculty and staff both in the design and execution of their projects and teaches research ethics and regulatory affairs and the fu

Have you ever wondered what seeds are good for? Do you know why you should eat seeds in your diet? what are their nutritional benefits? The Power and Nutritional Benefits of Seeds explain all these and more. Seeds come from plants, and seeds are edible and have many valuable nutrients. When you eat seeds, you get a lot of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and enzymes.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a chronic condition that is characterized by the regurgitation of stomach contents into the throat. GERD is also known as acid reflux disease and it occurs in people of all ages. In milder cases, GERD can be effectively treated with simple pharmacological therapies or by altering a patient's diet. In more severe cases, esophageal surgery might be necessary to remove the troublesome esophageal sphincter and/or improve a patient's general physical condition. GERD can develop when the lower esophageal valve relaxes or becomes weakened. The diagnosis of GERD and gastroesophageal reflux disease can be done by examining the medical history and symptoms. Although acid-reflux disease typically affects the upper body, some of its symptoms can extend down the esophageal tract, making GERD particularly troubling for people who sit or stand for long periods of time. This problem has given rise to a variety of different approaches to treatment, including invasive, surgical treatments, non-surgical treatments and more novel, non-invasive therapeutic approaches. The latest treatment option on the table involves using pharmaceuticals, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), to help reduce the effects of GERD. There are a number of advantages to this strategy. For starters, SSRIs are believed to have numerous side effects that tend to make them less attractive to certain groups of patients. Electrical stimulation (ESD) is another common form Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Treatment Devices. This technique involves the use of electrodes attached to the esophageal wall to generate a varying amount of electrical current. Antirheumatic drugs, which often cause symptoms similar to those of severe heart disease, are sometimes added to the mixture. A major disadvantage of using plicator devices with ESD is that the procedure can only be performed on an outpatient basis, requiring a patient to remain in the hospital for a fe