Spreadsheet Helps Hospitals Stay Compliant
Another benefit of using an electronic spreadsheet format is that multiple regulatory standards, guidelines and best practices can all be translated and compiled into readily identifiable worksheets as part of a large, master assessment tool that is easy to maintain and navigate. This would be a living document as the very nature of its contents is constantly changing to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry due to legislation, litigation or lessons learned.
Other considerations are to color code those items that are requirements versus expectations so that the “Must Haves” are distinct from the “Should Haves” or the “Like to Haves.”
Typically a “Must Have” will have consequences should it not be met. “Should Haves” are those items that a
re considered best practices when feasible and resources allow, but do not result in negative consequences should they not be met. “Like to Haves” are just that and are typically used to demonstrate your security program’s best practices to others.
By creating assessment tools from legitimate regulatory and industry standards, a security practitioner can be assured that their program assessment is unbiased and objective based upon known and accepted practices from professionals in their industry. Such details are very important when using these tools as a validation for existing program resources or for justification when requesting additional resources to meet regulatory expectations.
Consolidate to Avoid Confusion
Due to the multifaceted nature of both healthcare and security, when they are combined the result is a labyrinth of sometimes conflicting regulations, which somehow must be met and compliance demonstrated on a regular basis. By translating current reference materials into a consolidated, easy-to-use format, the task of merging these seemingly incompatible requirements into a manageable system of assessment and program validation can become a reality.
By sharing the creation of such tools with other security professionals in a multidisciplinary and collaborative environment, we can all work together to increase the body of knowledge and promote uniformity in the application of industry guidelines and best practices. We all share the same regulatory requirements that must be met, so why should we not create and share the tools with which to meet them?
Christopher E. Komst, CHSS is an investigator/trainer for Carolinas HealthCare System in Charlotte, N.C. He is certified instructor in a number of security and law enforcement topics including Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Taser, Pressure Point Control Tactics and more.
