Public Gated

Across the country the debate rages over legalization of marijuana, striking many ethical, legal and emotional chords. As of November 2018, a total of 33 States, Guam, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational and/or medical use. (Source: NationalConference of State Legislatures) Gallup polls for the past 47 years have…

The updated September 2025 U.S. Public Health Service guidelines introduce meaningful changes to how occupational HIV exposures are managed. While the core principles remain unchanged, such as act quickly, assess risk, and initiate Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) when indicated, the recommendations now reflect advances in antiretroviral therapy and modern HIV testing technology. Two areas stand…

You may recall the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is required by the HITECH Act of 2009 to conduct random audits of covered entities and business associates. Since that time the audits have been hit or miss—mostly miss. In 2011 and 2012, the OCR conducted Phase I pilot audits. The goal of these audits was…

The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 2015 requires OSHA to adjust its civil penalties annually for inflation. The adjustments are made by January 15th every year. In 2014, OSHA’s maximum penalties for serious and other-than-serious violations were $7,000 per violation. Ten years later, in 2024, OSHA’s maximum penalties for serious and other-than-serious violations increased…

Guest Contributor, Jennifer Venturini, RDH, BASDH, CDSO, Graduate According to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), Instructions for Use (IFU) are required written directions which detail how to prepare, use, handle, store, and dispose of a medical device. Basically, the goal of an IFU is to ensure that the operator has clear guidelines on how to…

Happy patients contribute to a thriving practice by referring other patients. Yet, despite the best efforts to provide outstanding customer service and patient care, occasionally something goes awry: patients complain about fees, excessive wait times, unexpected changes in treatment or perceived staff rudeness.

How complaints are initially, and subsequently, handled is critical.

You’re having one of your most hectic days when someone who’s not on the schedule walks in. Rather than presenting an insurance card, you are presented with a government identification badge. Your office is about to undergo an unannounced OSHA inspection! What could you expect if OSHA showed up at your front desk? Here are…

Several years ago, the news of the Tulsa, Oklahoma oral surgeon treating patients under unsanitary and unsafe conditions struck horror into the hearts of dental practitioners and patients across the country.  Can you imagine having to send letters to 7,000 patients warning them of a health hazard that was discovered in your practice and advising them…

OSHA requires that certain covered employers maintain records of serious occupational injuries and illnesses using the OSHA Form 300 log. These logs permit employers and workers as well as OSHA to evaluate workplace safety, then implement protections to minimize and/or eliminate hazards.  OSHA partially exempts two classes of employers from routinely keeping injury and illness records:  First,…

Amidst all the recent Supreme Court, OSHA, and CDC updates last week, the 2022 annual adjustments to OSHA civil penalties went into effect January 15th. It’s important to note that serious fines went from $13,653 per violation to $14,502 per violation. The maximum penalty for willful or repeated violations increased from $136,532 per violation to…