By Jennifer Dawson, MHA, FACHE, CPHQ, LSSBB, DLM(ASCP)SLS, QIHC, QLC bio There is a lot of talk these days about integrating the laboratory into patient-centered care teams1 and about … [Read more...]
MANAGING STAFF
Trap to Avoid: Asking Lab Employees about Their Latex Allergies
July 15, 2019
"Are you allergic to latex?" It seems like a perfectly legitimate thing to ask, especially to an employee who's expected to wear latex gloves on the job. The problem is that asking the question may … [Read more...]
MANAGING STAFF
Compliance Perspectives: How to Implement a Respiratory Protection Program at Your Lab
June 17, 2019
Worker exposure to infection and hazardous substances is a constant and pressing challenge for lab managers. And if yours is among the many labs where workers are required to use respirators, you face … [Read more...]
COMPLIANCE TIPS
Surviving a Medicare Audit: Warn Lab Staffers Not to Lie to Auditors
May 28, 2019
As a lab compliance director, you understand the dangers of obstructing a Medicare audit. The problem is your staff may not. So, make it clear to any staffer that may come into contact with an auditor … [Read more...]
FLSA
Case of the Month: Hospital Employees’ Wage Class Action Lawsuit Goes Terribly Wrong
February 11, 2019
It wasn't the outcome the four hospital employees envisioned when they filed their lawsuit charging the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center of violating the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) … [Read more...]
MANAGING STAFF
TOOL: Model Employee Illness/Injury Reporting Policy
January 23, 2019
The OSHA Recordkeeping Standard requires you to record and potentially report work-related illnesses and injuries. Reporting of illnesses and injuries is also crucial to investigating, identifying and … [Read more...]
MANAGING STAFF
Compliance Perspective: The Duty to Accommodate the Religious Beliefs of Employees & Job Applicants
November 12, 2018
YOU MAKE THE CALL SITUATION: A worker notifies management that he can't comply with hospital policy requiring all workers to get an annual flu shot because of his religion. He asks for permission to … [Read more...]
MANAGING STAFF
TOOL: Model Religious Accommodations Policy
October 19, 2018
Mere tolerance of religious differences in the workplace isn't enough. Federal and state discrimination laws also require employers to take affirmative steps to accommodate the religious beliefs of … [Read more...]
CYBERSECURITY
TOOL: Model Employee Social Networking Policy
September 5, 2018
The purpose of this policy is to outline acceptable and unacceptable use of any computer equipment and other technology by all "employees" (as defined below) of XYZ Laboratories ("XYZ") as such use … [Read more...]
MANAGING STAFF
Compliance Perspective: Keeping Employee from Damaging Your Lab on Social Media
August 27, 2018
In the cyber age, protecting your lab from the potential threat posed by employee blogging, tweeting, Instagramming and other social networking is a business imperative. But how? To find out, keep … [Read more...]
