Query: Wireless Printers and HIPAA
My printer is on the fritz. The new generation of printers seems to be wireless and you need a wireless router. Does printing off of a wireless router violate patient confidentiality or any of the HIPAA laws? Could someone in another office or a patient with a tablet access what I am printing?
Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY
Editor's comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. Wireless printing is a feature on new printers that is entirely optional. You can still use a wired connection. Furthermore, wireless printers can be encrypted so that only intended users can access the printer.
Query: CMS Rule for Surgical Prophylaxis?
This morning in the OR, I was told (not asked) by the anesthesiologist that he was going to administer antibiotics. He then asked what I wanted the patient to receive? I don't always prophylax my patients, and this was going to be one of those times. He then proceeded to tell me that CMS now has a rule that pertains to ambulatory surgical procedures, that ALL cases that involve surgery on a joint will need to receive pre-operative antibiotics. Have others experienced this in their hospitals?
Charles Morelli, DPM, Mamaroneck, NY
Query: Insurance Grandfathering
We recently received our annual renewal notice for our office health insurance (i.e., for my employees and myself). In the cover letter from the insurance company, it was mentioned that we have the right to be “grandfathered in” if we keep the same coverage and submit a written request to that effect. I’ve had two conversations with the rep and I still don’t fully understand the significance or insignificance of this option. I was told that if we change any part of our healthcare policy, we could not opt to be grandfathered in under the new federal law. We’re not sure how important it is to have grandfathered status at the expense of being able to pick another more cost-effective policy. If anyone understands this stuff, some clarification would be helpful.
James M. Petko, DPM, Falls Church, VA
