Resources
Welcome to Practice Management Resources!
In most office settings, the medical office staff is often the starting point for patients accessing care. As such, the office staff plays an important role in patients' perception of the practice. More than ever, it's important for staff members to be aware of proper practice management approaches to potential liability issues.
MEDICAL MUTUAL offers a collection of resources for office staff members, designed to keep the practice running smoothly while reducing the chances of the Physician and his or her staff from being involved in a malpractice claim or lawsuit.
Sample Confidentiality Agreement
PDF
This sample version of a Confidentiality Agreement can be implemented into the practice.
RECOMMENDED
Health Information Privacy
Links
Information from the HHS on HIPAA rules and regulations.
RECOMMENDED
High Time for HITECH? What every physician needs to know.
PDF
This issue of Doctors RX provides an overview of the HITECH Act and its impact on individual ...
The HIPAA Omnibus Final Rule: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You
PDF
This issue of Doctors RX discusses important changes to HIPAA as a result of the Omnibus Final Rule.
Covered Entities and Business Associates
Links
Information from HHS on the definition of covered entities and business associates under HIPAA
HIPAA Training is Essential
PDF
This article discusses the necessity of HIPAA training for employees
Four Common HIPAA Misconceptions
Links
This article from Physicians Practice outlines four common misconceptions about HIPAA that may be ...
New HIPAA/HITECH Translated
PDF
This article discusses the new HIPAA/HITECH Final Rule and how it impacts a Physician practice.
Privacy Rule General Topics
Links
HHS website that contains information on general topics related to the HIPAA Privacy Rule
Joint Guidance on HIPAA and FERPA to Student Health Records
PDF
This document from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of ...
Accessing Deceased Patient Records: FAQ
Links
This article discusses frequently asked questions about accessing deceased patient records
Do You Know Your Practice's Data Security Risks?
PDF
This issue of Doctors RX provides information about the HIPAA Security Rule and conducting a risk ...
Annual Breach Report to Congress 2011-2012
PDF
Report to Congress that reviews breaches of unsecured protected health information
Risk Management Guide for Information Technology Systems NIST 800-30
PDF
Recommendations of the National Institute of Standards and Technology on risk management for ...
Take Steps to Protect and Secure Information When Using a Mobile Device
PDF
HHS tips to secure the health information your patients entrust to you
Guidance on Risk Analysis Requirements under the HIPAA Security Rule
PDF
A series of guidances to assist organizations in identifying and implementing the most effective ...
Security Risk Analysis Tipsheet
PDF
Provides an overview of the security risk analysis requirement of the HIPAA Security Rule
The HIPAA Security Standards
PDF
This chapter, from HIPAA for Allied Health Centers, provides an overview of the HIPAA and describes ...
Information Security Policy Template
PDF
This document, developed by the National Learning Consortium, is an example of a tool used in the ...
Breach Notification Rule
PDF
Information on notification requirements following a breach of unsecured protected health ...
Harm Assessment
PDF
This article provides an overview of three areas to cover during a risk-of-harm assessment
Privacy Breach Safety Guidelines
PDF
This brief article discusses causes of privacy breaches and prevention methods
Email and HIPAA Compliance
Podcast
This podcast discusses how the HIPAA Privacy Rule applies to using email, and addresses how ...
The Fax Faux Pas
Podcast
This podcast discusses the risks of sending faxes, best practices for communicating via fax, and ...
Making The List Checking It Twice
Podcast
This podcast discusses the importance of ensuring that medical records are released to someone who ...
To Encrypt or Not to Encrypt - There is No Question
Podcast
This podcast discusses the value of encrypting data to help with HIPAA compliance (Runtime: 3:03)
Difference between EMR and EHR
Links
The difference between the two terms is actually quite significant.
ADA Effective Communications
PDF
This document from the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights ...
ADA Explained
PDF
This document discusses what Physicians and their office managers need to know about patients with ...
ADA Service Animals
PDF
This publication provides guidance on the term "service animal" and the service animal provisions ...
ADA Small Business Primer
PDF
This document provides guidance to assist small business owners in understanding how the new ADA ...
A Guide to Compliance with OSHA Standards
Links
This document provides information on compliance with OSHA standards for Medical and Dental Offices.
OSHA for Clinicians
Links
This site provides helpful information and resources for clinicians related to OSHA regulations
Revised OSHA Hazard Communication Standards
Links
This document provides information on revised safety data sheets and communication standards
OSHA 300 Form
PDF
This booklet includes forms and information needed for maintaining occupational injury and illness ...
OSHA Personal Protective Equipment
PDF
This informational booklet provides a general overview of personal protective equipment and OSHA ...
OSHA Medical Dental Office Guide To Compliance
PDF
This brochure provides insight on the most frequently found hazards in medical and dental offices
ICD-10 Small and Medium Practice Handbook
PDF
This CMS document provides a guide for small and medium practices preparing to implement ICD-10
Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
Links
This HHS website provides information and resources pertaining to persons with Limited English ...
Limited English Proficiency and Medicare Providers
PDF
This document from HHS addresses who must provide interpreters for Limited English Proficiency ...
Limited English Proficiency Patients: What's a Doctor To Do?
Links
This article discusses common questions and answers related to the requirements of treating ...
The Rap on RAC
PDF
This issue of Doctors RX discusses what to expect if an auditor comes as part of the Recovery Audit ...
Hand Hygiene
PDF
The second part of this issue of Doctors RX addresses new guidelines from the Centers for Disease ...
Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives
PDF
This document from the CDC discusses when to use hand sanitizer
The Family and Medical Leave Act
PDF
This document provides an overview of the Family and Medical Leave Act, enacted to provide covered ...
The Americans with Disabilities Act
PDF
This document provides an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits ...
Human Resources Principles to Protect Your Practice
PDF
This document provides an overview of ways to protect your practice regarding human resources issues
Staff Turnover
PDF
This document discusses dealing with staff turnover and ways to address challenges with high ...
The Art of Successful Staffing
PDF
This presentation discusses strategies for successful interviewing, hiring, and retention of ...
The Importance of Staff Meetings
PDF
This document discusses the value of staff meetings and key suggestions for making them worthwhile
The Practice Huddle
PDF
This document provides suggestions for creating better and more productive morning meetings
A Practical e-Guide to Managing Psychosocial Risks
Links
This resource provides information on managing stress and psychosocial risks to foster awareness, ...
Understanding the Affordable Care Act
Links
This AMA website provides resources on changes to health coverage under the ACA, including sample ...
Infection Control for Health Care Providers
Links
Guidelines for office staff on controlling the spread of infection in the office setting.
Blood Borne Illness
Links
Information from the CDC on preventing the transmission of blood borne illness.
Influenza
Links
Information from the CDC on reducing the spread of influenza in the health care setting.
Ten Principles of Documentation for Medical Records
PDF
Ten simple concepts that office staff members can follow for more effective documentation in ...
Case Study: Trust, but Verify
PDF
This is an example of how a mistake in charting lab results can lead to further communication ...
Why Can't We Be "Friends"?
PDF
This previous issue of Doctors RX newsletter will take a look at the ramifications of social ...
Handling Patient Complaints
PDF
Do you know what to do when a patient has a complaint? This guide will give some of the most common ...
Glossary of Terms Associated with HIPAA
PDF
Acronyms and definitions of terms commonly used regarding HIPAA.
Acronyms Associated with HIPAA
PDF
Some of the most commonly encountered acronyms associated with HIPAA.
HIPAA Audits: Are You Prepared?
PDF
This article discusses the elements of the audit program by the Office for Civil Rights for covered ...
Entities Covered by the HIPAA Privacy Rule (HHS)
PDF
Presentation created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services about covered entities ...
Compliance Checklist
PDF
A checklist for practices related to the key elements of HITECH and the Omnibus Rule.