All Points Medical Waste Blog

Florida Hospitals:
Best Practices for Compliance

Implement These Key Steps

Hospitals, just like every other medical organization, must have a compliance program in place to avoid regulatory violations which often result in hefty fines, a decrease in patient satisfaction and blows to their bottom line. Here’s a quick guide on the best practices for promoting compliance in your Florida hospital.

1. Select A Compliance Officer

A compliance officer is a key first step. This individual will be responsible for spearheading compliance programs, identifying areas of non-compliance and working with other departments. Depending on the size of the hospital, it may also be recommended that a compliance committee is formed, composed of department leaders from throughout the hospital. The compliance officer meets with the committee on a regular basis to go over areas that need improvement, develop action plans and communicate the effectiveness of the compliance program.

2. Implement A Patient Privacy Program

All healthcare facilities are required to have a patient privacy program in place to protect against loss and theft of private information. This is crucial to compliance and a key area of concern. Whether your facility is fully digital or still using paper charts and records, patient privacy goes even further than what’s on record. Your policy should include processes and mandates for how staff communicates patient information verbally with other team members, when leaving messages, discussing appointments and other forms of communication.  

3. Create A Written Compliance Policy

Implementing a compliance policy must include a document or documents in writing that lay out your program and what is expected and required. Many organizations create a compliance handbook which is distributed to staff and updated on an annual basis or when mandates, recommendations or regulations change or are added. 

4. Education Staff Members

Even if a handbook is created and distributed to all staff, continual training is key to ensuring everyone on your team understands their responsibilities and their role in ensuring compliance throughout the hospital. Training should begin when new staff are onboarding and should be mandated in regular intervals.

When it comes to medical waste storage and disposal, every Florida hospital must have a compliance program in place. Following the steps above and working with a trusted medical waste disposal provider is key. All Points Medical Waste is a local family owned and operated company that serves hospitals and other healthcare organizations across South Florida. We can help you ensure your facility is remaining compliant. Give us a call today or complete the form on this page to learn more.

 

Dawn Connelly

Dawn is the vice president of All Points Medical Waste. All Points Medical Waste is a family-owned and operated medical waste disposal and compliance company that has been serving the Treasure Coast, Palm Beaches, and surrounding areas since 1994.
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