Bariatric Times July/August 2007

Bariatric Times • July/August 2007 Bariatric Center Spotlight 23 WHAT QUALITY CONTROL ASSURANCE MEASURES ARE PRACTICED IN YOUR FACILITY? University General Hospital holds various licenses, certifications, and accreditations geared toward quality control. For example, the facility has just completed its JCAHO survey with no recommendations for improvement (RFIs)–a significant accomplishment and testimony to the quality of our facility. Additionally, the facility's ongoing performance improvement activities focus on providing excellent patient care with an emphasis on positive outcomes and patient safety. WHAT MAKES YOUR FACILITY UNIQUE? University General Hospital has created an atmosphere conducive to the healing process by raising the bar on customer service. Our state of the art technology supports optimal patient safety, increased efficiency, and maximum patient comfort. In addition to providing excellence in health care services, University General focuses on the local and regional needs of the communities it serves. Examples include employee volunteer programs, organizational sponsorships and other outreach efforts. Our level of service and commitment to patient safety has been demonstrated by successful completion of accreditation programs with no recommendations for improvement. WHAT EFFORTS DO YOU MAKE TO MAINTAIN HIPAA COMPLIANCE? All employees are in-serviced on the hospital's HIPAA policies and procedures, and must sign confidentiality and security agreements. Employees are given access based on job function and on a need-to-know basis. Business associate agreements have been obtained with all vendors, security, and contract support personnel working with University General. Policies and procedures are in place for handling the release of all private health information. All patient visits and services from the point of entry to discharge are conducted confidentially in enclosed rooms. The hospital has a unique user-encrypted password protection system, which automatically requires password changes every three months. Additionally, all facility computers are programmed to auto log-off. Backup and recovery mechanisms are in place for all information and continuous monitoring of information security risks is in place. University General Hospital currently utilizes the Siemens Electronic Medical Records system and has a single sign-on solution enabling access to up to 45 applications utilized by University General Hospital Systems, which includes programs operated by the Siemens®, Med Series 4®, GE MUSE®, GE PACS®, Pyxis®, and Kronos® systems. This functionality ensures timely and effective activation and deactivation of passwords across all systems simultaneously. http://www.carecredit.com http://www.carecredit.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Bariatric Times July/August 2007

Cover Editorial Message Table of Contents Editorial Board Letter to the Editor Malpractice Preventative Maintenance: Record Protocols and Happy Lawyers Resolution of Fibromyalgia Following Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass University General Hospital Bariatric Program at University General Hospital Journal Watch Category List Trade Name Index Company Index Products and Services

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