Michigan Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Revises Controlled Substance Rules
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Jan, 2019
The Michigan Bureau of Professional Licensing within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has revised the Pharmacy – Controlled Substances Rules. These changes are effective immediately, and include the following: Gabapentin is now added as a controlled substance to the Schedule 5 drug list. 2. Health care providers licensed to prescribe or dispense […]
Category: Licensure, Michigan Legal Updates, Nursing
Could Former Employees Set You Up For Costly HIPAA Penalties?
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Dec, 2018
The Pagosa Springs Medical Center in Colorado settled an Office of Civil Rights HIPAA breach investigation by agreeing to pay a fine of $111,400. The settlement stemmed from a 2013 complaint that a former employee was able to access the Medical Center‘s web-based scheduling calendar, which contained patient protected health information (PHI). Pagosa Springs Medical […]
Category: HIPAA, News & Updates
2018 Survey Of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compensation
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Nov, 2018
Medscape Nurses has published its recent compensation survey results for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). The survey was conducted between June 12 – September 30, 2018, and was part of a larger survey that included registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. The compensation results were based on 2017 annual incomes. A total of 10,282 nurses […]
Category: News & Updates, Nursing, Professional Development
The National Board for Certified Counselors Will Change Educational Requirements in 2022
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Nov, 2018
If you are a professional counselor who is not currently certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or are considering a counseling educational program in the future, you need to be aware that effective January 1, 2022 applicants for a national certified counselor’s distinction from the National Board for Certified Counselors will be […]
Category: News & Updates, Professional Development
Massachusetts Voters Reject Nurse Patient Ratios
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Nov, 2018
On November 6, 2018,Massachusetts voters rejected a ballot initiative that would have mandated nurse staffing ratios. Passage of Massachusetts’ “Patient Safety Act” would have capped the maximum number of patients that could be assigned to each registered nurse in Massachusetts hospitals and health care facilities. If the ballot question had passed, hospitals could have been […]
Category: News & Updates, Nursing
Is Your Medical Device Subject To Being Hacked?
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Nov, 2018
More than half of provider organizations lack a strong degree of confidence in their medical device security, according to a survey by KLAS Research, a data company, and the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives. The majority of surveyed provider groups said they attributed security problems to the device manufacturers, particularly if the devices can’t […]
Category: News & Updates, Professional Development
Will Your Continuing Education Count When Renewing Your Nursing License?
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Nov, 2018
Come March 2019 and thereafter, nurses will need to comply with new continuing education requirements when renewing their nursing licenses. While nurses are still required to earn a minimum of 25 credit hours of approved continuing education during the 2 year period preceding renewal, the new rules expand the ways in which continuing education credits […]
Youth Mental Health Emergency Department Visits Have Increased In Recent Years
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Nov, 2018
To those who provide mental health services, it comes as no surprise that emergency department visits among children and youth for mental health concerns has dramatically increased in recent years. The Pediatric Health Information System conducted a study of youth mental health-related services at 45 children’s hospitals between 2012 through 2016. The rate of mental […]
Category: Mental Health, News & Updates
Do You Know Where Your Electronic Device Is?
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Oct, 2018
Today it is common for health care facilities, medical practices and health care companies to issue electronic devices, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc., to their employees for use when conducting business. Such electronic devices, while essential to carrying out business functions, it is important that these electronic devices are inventoried, tracked, and if redeployed […]
Category: Electronic Health Records, HIPAA, News & Updates, Telemedicine
U.S. Senate Passes Opioid Legislation, Expanding Prescribing Authority For Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Oct, 2018
The U.S. Senate recently passed the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act and the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Act as part of a compromise opioid legislation package negotiated between the U.S. House and Senate. The legislation awaits President Trump’s signature. Section 3201 in SUPPORT […]
Category: News & Updates, Opioid Epidemic