HQAA Blog

Steve DeGenaro

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Retail Showrooms & Your Accreditation Survey

Posted by Steve DeGenaro on Tue, Oct 04, 2016 @ 04:10 PM

Home medical equipment companies frequently mention that it seems that the majority of survey (inspection) activity takes place in equipment storage, cleaning, and warehouse areas, as well as out in the field during “ride-alongs” to observe patient interactions with staff.HME staff is sometimes caught by surprise when the surveyor turns their attention to the retail showroom during the inspection. Why would a surveyor want to look at a retail showroom and what accreditation standards apply in that setting?

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Topics: HME Accreditation Requirements, Compliance, Avoiding Deficiencies, Showroom, Retail

Protecting Patient Privacy: HIPAA & Beyond

Posted by Steve DeGenaro on Fri, Aug 14, 2015 @ 04:55 PM

 

 

Consumers have come to expect confidentiality and privacy in all business transactions today, whether on line or in retail establishments.  Healthcare is no exception and patient/customers are now protected by HIPAA (the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996).  Consumers who have received any healthcare service in a hospital, doctor’s office, medical lab, or pharmacy have been exposed to some education about HIPAA.  Medical equipment companies are no different and have some unique issues to plan and prepare for to comply with this complex regulation and the even more fundamental patient right to privacy and confidentiality. 

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Topics: Employee Training, HIPAA, Security, HME Accreditation Requirements, Patient File Requirements, Compliance, Patient Privacy

4 Easy Steps to Ensure Your Warehouse Meets HME Accreditation Standards

Posted by Steve DeGenaro on Tue, Feb 04, 2014 @ 03:55 PM


Say the word “warehouse” and many people conjure up images of a dark, dusty, damp place with rows of equipment and boxes piled to the ceiling. 

A home medical equipment company’s warehouse certainly can be the source of problems, deficiencies with standards, safety hazards, and infection control issues. But with just a little planning, some elbow grease, and a bit of ongoing monitoring, you can turn your warehouse into a clean, safe, even pleasant environment that improves operational efficiencies and helps your employees do their job well. 

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Topics: Quality Improvement, HME Accreditation Requirements, Avoiding Deficiencies, Warehouse

4 Best Practices for Managing DME Employee Competence

Posted by Steve DeGenaro on Thu, Nov 07, 2013 @ 11:37 AM

In healthcare and the healthcare workplace, competency assessment has become crucial to ensuring employees—particularly those providing direct patient care—have the necessary training and skill to do  their job and care for their patients.

For DMEs that provides medical equipment and supplies to patients, this concept of assessing and maintaining staff competence is crucial, and sometimes misunderstood. 

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Topics: Employee Training, HQAA Accreditation, HME Accreditation Requirements, Competence

HME Cleaning Processes and Policies

Posted by Steve DeGenaro on Tue, Aug 14, 2012 @ 09:47 AM

Before your survey, you need to submit your organization's written policies that describe your cleaning processes. Your surveyor should ask to see this prior to the survey to familiarize themselves with your policies. 

Your HME cleaning processes and policies should address:

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Topics: Materials Management

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