Company Culture

A Harassment-Free Workplace vs the Right to Engage in Concerted Activity

1st Talk Compliance features guest Lauren Moak Russell, Counsel at Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP in Wilmington, Delaware, on the topic of “A Harassment-Free Workplace vs the Right to Engage in Concerted Activity.” Lauren joins our host Catherine Short to discuss how the National Labor Relations Board under the Biden Administration has expressed a renewed interest in expanding its influence into non-unionized work forces. This includes reviewing and–in the right circumstances challenging–employers’ use of workplace civility, confidentiality, and anti-harassment policies. Listen as we discuss what you need to know to safely navigate the National Labor Relations Act while ensuring that your employees enjoy a safe and respectful work environment.

A Practical Approach to The Safe Harbor Law

1st Talk Compliance features guest Raymond Ribble, CEO and Founder at SPHER, Inc., on the topic of A Practical Approach to The Safe Harbor Law. Ray joins our host Catherine Short to discuss how HIPAA data breach penalties typically get measured in millions of dollars, even following an organization implementing NIST cybersecurity framework measures. However, with the new HIPAA Safe Harbor Law, signed in January 2021, HHS and OCR may consider some penalty mitigation. It is important to understand that the Safe Harbor Law, while offering substantial protection, does not provide a true safe harbor and only offers some protection. This episode will examine what the established security practices for healthcare are, and how to pivot your organization’s security profile to mitigate breach penalties if an event occurs.

DMEPOS – In Compliance with CMS

1st Talk Compliance features guest Rachel V. Rose, JD, MBA, principal with Rachel V. Rose – Attorney at Law, P.L.L.C., on the topic “DMEPOS – In Compliance with CMS.” Rachel joins our host Catherine Short to discuss special payment rules associated with durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies. DMEPOS products must meet quality standards, suppliers need to be accepted by Medicare to participate, similar to providers, and are subject to fraud, waste, and abuse laws. This episode will provide an overview of participation and quality requirements, relay the latest compliance and requirements updates, and discuss the consequences of non-compliance, as well as submitting false and fraudulent claims. 

Employee Snooping & Insider Threats

1st Talk Compliance features guest Raymond Ribble, CEO and Founder at SPHER, Inc., on the topic of “Employee Snooping & Insider Threats.” Ray joins our host Catherine Short to discuss snooping and insider threats and why user monitoring and ePHI access strategies are vital to the security of sensitive patient information and data protection. With so much attention and money surrounding cybersecurity in the healthcare industry, malicious employees may decide to purposefully disclose patient information. Since employees and contractors may have knowledge of your network setup, vulnerabilities, and access codes, snooping employees with malicious intent hold the key to exposing your organization to a series of unwanted risks and threats. Listen as we identify signs of unauthorized access, provide guidelines to prevent snooping, and offer procedures to detect insider threats.

ADC Webinar

Automatic Dispensing Cabinets, Patient Care, and Nurse RaDonda Vaught: Audio Version of the Webinar

Rachel V. Rose, JD, MBA, principal with Rachel V. Rose – Attorney at Law, P.L.L.C., Houston, TX presents this very timely and fascinating subject for us. A former nurse was charged, criminally prosecuted, and in March 2022, convicted of gross neglect of an impaired adult and negligent homicide for a 2017 fatal drug error. The purpose is to inform participants of a myriad of items so that facilities can evaluate and implement appropriate safeguards, train nurses and other staff, and take corrective actions before an adverse patient outcome occurs. What happened here is preventable and nurses should not flee the profession, especially because of the compassion shown by the judge.

Dobbs Opinion

The Dobbs Opinion, the Repealing of Roe, & the Impact on the Privacy & Security of Patient Information – Audio Version of the Webinar

Rachel V. Rose, JD, MBA, principal with Rachel V. Rose – Attorney at Law, P.L.L.C., Houston, TX presents this very timely subject for us.The Dobbs Opinion repealed fifty years of precedent under Roe. The implications of the Opinion extend beyond women’s reproductive rights and impact the privacy rights of all Americans. The purpose of this webinar is to explain the key aspects of the Dobbs Opinion related to privacy from both the Majority and the Dissent’s perspective, address the current legislative initiatives, HHS Guidance, and Executive Orders, as well as appreciate the role HIPAA plays in navigating Dobbs.

Workplace Civility Webinar

Work Civility: A Harassment-Free Workplace vs Employees’ Right to Engage in Concerted Activity: Audio Version of the Webinar

Lauren E.M. Russell, Counsel at Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP leads this hot-topic webinar. The National Labor Relations Board under the Biden Administration has expressed a renewed interest in expanding its influence into non-unionized work forces. This includes reviewing and–in the right circumstances challenging–employers’ use of workplace civility, confidentiality, and anti-harassment policies. Learn what you need to know to safely navigate the National Labor Relations Act while ensuring that your employees enjoy a safe and respectful work environment.

Snooping Webinar

How to Prevent Employee Snooping and Insider Threats – Audio Version of the Webinar

Raymond Ribble is the CEO and Founder at SPHER, Inc. a market-leading compliance analytics, cyber-security solution addressing: HIPAA compliance, State Privacy Laws, and ePHI security threats and our presenter for this webinar. Snooping and Insider threats are exactly why user monitoring and ePHI access strategies are vital to the security of sensitive patient information and data protection. While it is an unsettling thought, not all cybersecurity incidents are traced from employee negligence. With so much attention and money surrounding cybersecurity in the healthcare industry, malicious employees may decide to purposefully disclose patient information. Since employees and contractors may have knowledge of your network setup, vulnerabilities, and access codes, snooping employees with malicious intent hold the key to exposing your organization to a series of unwanted risks and threats.

Medical Error & Patient Advocacy – How Can We Have More Candor?

1st Talk Compliance features guest Kathleen W. McNicholas, MD, JD, CHC, CCEP, Consultant and Patient Advocate with Medical Legal Patient Advocacy Inc., on the topic of “Medical Error & Patient Advocacy – How Can We Have More Candor?” Kathleen joins our host, Catherine Short to review medical error and provide an approach to harmed patients. The CANDOR program of Communication and Optimal Resolution will be explained. CANDOR is well established and has been successfully adopted by many medical centers. Without CANDOR in place, patients may benefit from the use of the principles and the help of a board-certified patient advocate.

Employment and Labor Law Digest

1st Talk Compliance features guest Catherine Walters, a partner at BYBEL RUTLEDGE LLP and management-side labor and employment attorney representing employers of all sizes, on the topic of “Employment and Labor Law Digest.” Catherine joins our host, Catherine Short to update employers and human resources professionals on recent employment and labor law developments and discuss specific hot topics.