HIPAA HITECH Compliance is an Ongoing Process

Posted January 29, 2010 07:38 AM by Jack    

In our previous business, Accreditation Helper, we helped small healthcare organizations prepare for an on-site survey by The Joint Commission.  The old model was for a consultant to tuck a policy and procedure manual under their arm, get on an airplane and go visit the client a number of times trying to educate them.  There were a number of problems with this model.  It was expensive, the travel was hard on the consultant, and it was a difficult way to teach.  When we contemplated automating this process we decided that we needed to keep the "human touch" but we needed a better learning process.  We used a task centered process that lead the client through reviewing, editing, and submitting policies, procedures, and forms to their Helper for approval.  The Helper was always available to answer their questions and to check their work.  So the client absorbed the content and started understanding how their business processes might need to change to become accredited.  The idea was to teach them to fish, rather than giving them a fish.

Business associates need to understand that compliance is a long term commitment that could, and probably should, change some of the internal processes.  The end result will be a better, safer, more efficient workplace that protects patients' information.  Just buying a policy and procedure manual and putting it on the shelf will not provide you with a "safe harbor".  Use HITECH compliance as a way to improve your business process and you will win in more ways than just satisfying the new HITECH regulations.