The following information provides a brief roadmap to achieving compliance, and is intended to help you understand the need to do more than employee training in order to avoid enforcement action from regulatory agencies.

Many practices view compliance training as the primary element for meeting regulatory requirements.  Although training is a key component, the reality is that compliance requires more than training.  Here are the basic major elements for ensuring compliance with any set of regulations:

Written Policies – Regulations, such as HIPAA and OSHA, require that you have written policies explaining your intent and process for meeting requirements.

Updates – Additionally, regulatory agencies require that you monitor for changes, new requirements, and new interpretations to ensure your policies remain current.

Training – All regulations include various requirements ranging from initial or new hire training to annual training on certain key elements.

Documentation – Records or documentation must be maintained.

Active Program – Having an active compliance program is a key element that you will not find specifically stated in a regulation, but can prevent the practice from being penalized if investigated. Regular audits help to ensure policies are being followed, and will ensure your compliance program remains active and relevant.

Note – These elements are provided for in Eagle Associates’ compliance programs. However, attention to provided updates, participation in employee training and use of included compliance tools is necessary to ensure your programs remain active.