How to Create an Effective Compliance Plan: Element 5
Written by Alexa Treubert
(Referencing Measuring Compliance Program Effectiveness: A Resource Guide from HCCA-OIG)
Last week, we covered the importance of communication, education, and training on compliance issues. If you missed last weeks blog, read here at https://americanmedicalcompliance.com/how-to-create-an-effective-compliance-plan-element-4/! This week, we are moving into a topic equally as important. Element 5 is meant to occur after Element 4 is in place, and is contains the recommended follow-up procedures to confirm there is nothing falling through the cracks.
Element 5: Monitoring, Auditing, and Internal Reporting Systems
Some might think that getting compliance education and material in place might be the most grueling part of the compliance process. However, the time and protocol needed to maintain compliance is equally, if not more, important. There needs to be the monitoring of employee safety, auditing conducted by outside facilities, and ways for employees to report OSHA and HIPAA concerns to be completely compliant. Below are some tips and tricks for ensuring you are using Element 5 to its maximum potential.
- Transparency! It is crucial to publicize a reporting system for any OSHA or HIPAA violations to all employees! Along with that, clearly outline all guidelines and expectations for staff
- Reporting. With that being said, put a hotline in place to ensure that violations and concerns are being reported.
- Audit! Realize that is is normal and sometimes necessary to bring in an outside auditing company. Avoiding an issue is easier than correcting one.
Education is extremely important, but so is keeping up with your compliance plan! All the information in the world will not be of value unless you have your ducks in a row, and can make sure that they stay in a row. Auditing, monitoring, and internal reporting systems are all necessary in making sure that your compliance plan is being followed, and fixed if needed.
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