Coverage Corner By ProAssurance Risk Resources Set and Review Your Office Policies and Procedures * Human Resources * Practice Operations * Special Procedures * Safety A policy and procedure manual is an important tool for defining practice operations. In well-run practices, there is one set of rules every staff member understands and follows. The alternative is risky: Procedures that vary from physician to physician or between staff members make it easy for errors or omissions to occur. Develop a comprehensive manual of specific policies and procedures that explains how tasks are performed in your office, and make it readily available to all staff. It's important for staff to review and initial that they have read and are aware of these policies and procedures. The following is a list of suggested topics to address in your policies and procedures manual: Clinical Protocols/Patient Care Patient Relations and Confidentiality Health Information Management (Medical Records) Laboratory (Test Tracking and Follow-Up) Radiology Appointment Scheduling Patient Tracking and Follow-Up Infection Control * * * * * * * * You may need to add or subtract certain topics to best address the specific areas of your practice. It also is prudent for the physician (or a committee of physicians and staff members) to annually review policies and procedures-and perform an audit to ensure staff is performing the procedures as outlined in the manual. Periodic adjustments to your policy and procedure manual may be necessary as your practice and the health-care industry grow and change. ■ This article is not intended to constitute legal advice or create an attorney- client relationship, but is intended for general information only. An attorney or other resource should be consulted regarding individual cases. For more information, contact the PICA Risk Management department at 800-251-5727, ext. 2107, or visit www.picagroup.com. B:7.875" T:7.875" S:7.375" KEEP PACE S:10" T:10.5" B:10.5" with the evolution of podiatric medicine! Visit APMA.org/webinars. IWitnessBullying.org 44 APMA News March/April 2019 Client Adobe Job Number TACGEN001B01 Ad Number WO-0001 Ad-ID I Am A Witness Print Mechanical Specs B None T 7.875" x 10.5" L 7.375" x 10" People Creative Director None Assoc. Creative Director None Art Director Cassi Norman OKhttp://www.picagroup.com http://www.APMA.org/webinars http://www.IWitnessBullying.org