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Understanding the Difference Between RSV, Flu and COVID-19

UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RSV, FLU AND COVID-19 - Health experts warn of a “tripledemic” surge this winter as Americans face the threat of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza (flu) and COVID-...

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Risk Insights: Avoiding Muscle and Ligament Injuries

Helpful tips for reducing your risk of strains and sprains - Over six million injuries occur in the workplace every year. Sprains, strains and tears to muscles and connective tissues are some of the most common injuries...

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Work Comp Insights: When is a Workers’ Compensation Claim Compensable?

When is a Workers’ Compensation Claim Compensable? - Carefully evaluating workers’ compensation claims is crucial in helping your company save money and prevent fraud. Workers’ compensation is simply a form of insurance...

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Preventing Burnout During the 2022 Holiday Season

According to Microsoft research, nearly half of employees have reported that they are burnt out at work. The World Health Organization defines burnout as a syndrome resulting from workplace stress that has not been...

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News Brief: OSHA Announces Preliminary Top 10 Violations for Fiscal Year 2022

OSHA announced its preliminary list of the top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards for fiscal year 2022. Since OSHA’s fiscal year doesn’t end until Sept. 30-and this list was published prior to this date-...

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Live Well, Work Well- December 2022

Prioritizing Your Emotional Well-Being During the Holidays - While the holiday season and end-of-year parties can be full of festive fun, they can also be stressful and take a toll on your emotional well-being. Putting...

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The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise

While physical exercise is known to be good for your body, it also can help your mind. Research continues to validate that exercise can improve mental health by reducing anxiety, depression and a negative mood. When you...

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Risk Insights: The Benefits of a Safe Patient Handling Program

Because of age or incapacitation due to illness or injury, patients in health care settings often need help performing normal daily tasks like sitting up or walking. Helping patients with these tasks requires...

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Safety Matters: Vehicle Safety Precautions for Emergency Responders

Vehicle Safety Precautions for Emergency Responders - Emergency vehicle drivers are an essential component in saving the lives of others, as they are responsible for driving the truck that carries all equipment and...

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HR Insights: Understanding FMLA Leave for Mental Health Conditions

Understanding FMLA Leave for Mental Health Conditions - Mental health is a growing concern in the workplace. Over the past few years, many employees have experienced mental health issues, such as burnout, depression,...

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Live Well, Work Well- November 2022

How to Recession-proof Your life - Many Americans and economists think rising inflation issues, interest rates and housing costs may be warning signs of a looming recession. According to a Bankrate poll, nearly 7 in 10...

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Safety Matters: Staying Safe from Falling Objects

Staying Safe from Falling Objects - Objects falling from above can pose a serious danger. While this type of hazard might typically be associated with construction businesses, health care facilities face similar dangers....

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Benefits Insights: 5 Things to Consider When Selecting a Health Plan

5 Things to Consider When Selecting a Health Plan Changing health plans is a major decision for any employer, regardless of size. Not only is health insurance a costly commitment, it also impacts recruitment...

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News Brief: FDA Approves Over-the-counter Hearing Aids

FDA Approves Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid - Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized a rule establishing a new category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for people age 18 and older with mild to...

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HR Insights: The Lingering Impact of Long COVID-19 on Employees and Workplaces

Unfortunately, some people who test positive for COVID-19 can experience long-term effects from their infection, known as “long COVID-19.” The effects of long COVID-19 can vary; individuals may experience mild symptoms...

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Live Well, Work Well - October 2022

What to Know About This Year’s Flu Season - Influenza (flu) season lasts from October through May in the United States, with peak flu activity happening between December and March. The country’s flu activity has been...

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Cyber Liability: The Importance of Two-factor Authentication

As cyber attacks become more and more common, protecting your data is increasingly difficult. In fact, a study from Juniper Research found that by 2023, cyber criminals are expected to steal an estimated 33 billion...

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News Brief: Wages Increasing Near the Pace of Inflation

Reports Show 2022 Wages Increasing Near the Pace of Inflation - According to HR services provider ADP, salaries have been rising rapidly, nearly on par with inflation. Year-over-year pay raises increased by 7.6% leading...

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Work Comp Insights: Five Strategies for Reducing Workers’ Compensation Costs

- Five Strategies for Reducing Workers’ Compensation Costs - When a company experiences significant increases in workers’ compensation costs, it usually triggers internal activities aimed at reducing insurance costs and...

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News Brief: DHS Proposes Permanent Rule Allowing Remote Verification of Form I-9 Documents

DHS Proposes Permanent Rule Allowing Remote Verification of Form I-9 Documents - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have recently proposed a permanent rule to...

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Legal Update: Final Rule Implements Ban on Surprise Medical Billing

Legal Update: Final Rule Implements Ban on Surprise Medical Billing - On Aug. 19, 2022, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury (Departments) jointly released a final rule...

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Live Well, Work Well - September 2022

The Art of Mindful Eating - Taking time to be mindful of your eating process and not focusing on restricting calories could enhance your awareness of the experience, improve your relationship with food and help you lose...

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Deep Work - Improving Your Productivity

“Deep work” is a trendy buzzword swirling around the productivity conversation. But what is it? Deep work is someone’s ability to work in a state of peak concentration and focus for a long period of time without...

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Work Comp Insights: These Three Trends Could Have Big Implications for Workers’ Compensation

Legislation surrounding the gig economy, single-payer health insurance and marijuana legalization all have the potential to impact the U.S. workers’ compensation system, according to a National Council on Compensation...

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The Impact of Sleep on Mental Health

Not only is your physical health affected when you don’t get enough sleep, but it also takes a toll on your mental health. In fact, mental health and sleep are so closely related that a lack of sleep can often lead to...

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Injury and Illness Reporting, Response and Recordkeeping for Temporary Workers

Temporary workers (TWs) employed by a host employer (HE) through a staffing company (SC) can create unique occupational safety and health concerns. Since the work arrangements for TWs tend to be nonstandard short- and...

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News Brief - Proposed Overtime Rule Expected in October 2022

In its recent spring regulatory agenda, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced its plans to issue a proposed overtime rule in October 2022. According to the agency’s regulatory agenda, this proposed rule is...

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Live Well, Work Well - August 2022

988: America's First Three-digit Mental Health Crisis Line - The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (Lifeline) launched nationwide on July 16. Similar to dialing 911 for medical emergencies, people in emotional distress or...

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Workplace Wellness Programs to Reduce Workers’ Compensation Costs

By implementing workplace health initiatives, many companies are taking proactive measures to help with decreasing health issues affecting their employees. This is particularly important because of the following: The...

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Reducing Medication Management Risks in Home Healthcare

Medication errors and adverse drug events are areas of high risk across the healthcare spectrum. Despite a diverse range of interventions over the years, issues related to medication safety still prove challenging for...

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Risk Perspectives in Telehealth: Informed Consent

Technological advancements in healthcare have helped improve access to, options for, and convenience of care. Healthcare delivered via telecommunication technology (telehealth), has become an increasingly popular and...

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Live Well, Work Well - July 2022

- The Benefits of Seasonal Produce - In today’s supermarket, it’s normal to see the same produce available year-round. However, that doesn’t mean the quality always remains the same. Eating seasonally means you are...

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Safety Matters: Do Your Part to Keep Our Workplace Safe

Preventing injury and illness on the job is something all employees should take seriously-nothing less than your future is at stake. An on-the-job accident, infection or serious illness could very easily disable you,...

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Your Wellness Matters: Mental Health

Workplace impairment can be caused by a number of underlying factors. Key contributors of workplace impairment are employee fatigue, stress, and substance abuse. This infographic highlights the role mental health plays...

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News Brief - Cost of Workers' Compensation Claims on the Rise

The workers’ compensation sector of the commercial insurance industry is generally a stable and profitable segment. However, the claims in this market have become costlier, with concerns over severity on the rise. While...

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Your Wellness Matters: Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are a leading cause of workplace injury and cost billions each year in workers’ compensation and lost productivity. This infographic briefly discusses the prevalence of musculoskeletal...

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June is National Safety Month

The purpose of National Safety Month is to spread safety awareness to help prevent workplace injuries and fatalities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4,764 occupational fatalities and 2.7 million work-...

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Live Well, Work Well - June 2022

- EWG Releases 2022 Dirty Dozen List - Every year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases a report ranking pesticide residue levels of fruits and vegetables based on samples taken by the U.S. Department of...

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Safety in Numbers: Improving Diagnosis Through Teamwork

In recent years, advocacy groups, researchers, healthcare providers, and others have raised awareness and understanding about diagnostic errors, drawing attention to the profound effect that these mistakes have on...

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Risk Tips: Using Scribes to Document Clinical Care

Electronic health records (EHRs) have had a significant impact on documentation processes and workflow patterns in healthcare, but the results have not always been positive. Common complaints associated with EHRs...

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News Brief - Study Finds a 7,000% Increase in Telehealth Utilization During Pandemic

According to a new report, telehealth usage grew more than 7,000% during the first year of the pandemic. FAIR Health’s annual report studies health care indicators, prices and utilization trends. With the latest data,...

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Risk Tips: Patient Safety & Risk Solutions

- Collaborating With Healthcare Staff to Improve Patient Safety, Adherence, and Satisfaction - Healthcare staff members play an essential role in patient safety as well as patient satisfaction as they interact with...

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Live Well, Work Well - May 2022

- Elevating Your Psychological Resiliency - Psychological resilience refers to the ability to mentally withstand or adapt to uncertainty and adversity. Building resilience to life’s inevitable changes and challenges can...

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Risk Perspectives in Telehealth: Licensing

Technology has created opportunities for physicians, dentists, and other healthcare practitioners to extend the reach of their professional practice beyond the physical limitations of their practice settings. Through...

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April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

The National Safety Council recognizes April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. This event is intended to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and encourage motorists like you to minimize...

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Risk Insights: Spring Storm Safety Tips for Businesses

Spring can bring about some of the year’s most dangerous weather and wreak havoc on many aspects of a company’s operations. This article discusses the weather threats to watch out for during spring and measures...

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Live Well, Work Well - April 2022

- Nip Seasonal Allergies in the Bud - More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies every year. In particular, springtime allergies are an annual nuisance for many people. As plants begin to bloom and neighbors...

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Legal Update: OSHA Reopens Rulemaking Record for COVID-19 Health Care Rule

On March 22, 2022, OSHA partially reopened the rule-making record and scheduled an informal public hearing to seek comments on specific topics that relate to the development of a final standard to protect health care...

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Tips for Amending Electronic Health Records

Altering documentation in patient records can have serious consequences, including allegations of fraud and professional misconduct - and it also can make malpractice claims difficult to defend. Yet, mistakes happen and...

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Health Care Risk Insights: Nursing Home Fire Safety

The health and safety of your residents should be your top priority, so it is important that your facility is proactive in ensuring that the proper fire safety precautions are in place. According to USA Today, more than...

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Risk Tips: Engaging Patients to Improve Diagnosis

Diagnostic errors are a common, yet harmful and costly issue in healthcare. They are estimated to affect 12 million Americans every year,1 and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) note...

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Live Well, Work Well - March 2022

- Understanding Your Kidney Health - March is National Kidney Month, making it a great time to take charge of your health to lower your chances of developing kidney disease. Your kidneys filter your blood to remove...

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Strategies for Reducing Polypharmacy in Senior Care

Polypharmacy is a serious concern among adults, and especially among seniors. Although polypharmacy is preventable, it is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality.1 Polypharmacy is generally defined as...

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Ensuring HIPAA Compliance in Text Messaging

Many healthcare providers and staff members find that text messaging provides quick access to the information they need to make healthcare decisions and is a convenient method for communicating with other providers and...

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Cyber Update: Data Breaches Rose 68% in 2021

- - Data Breaches Rose 68% in 2021, Hitting a New High With No Signs of Slowing - According to the Identity Theft Resource Center’s (ITRC) annual report-which advocated for more effective laws and regulations to better...

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Live Well, Work Well - February 2022

Reducing Your Stress During American Heart Month - According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, half of all Americans are...

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Safety Matters: De-Icing Outdoor Walking Surfaces in Winter

Keeping outdoor walking surfaces-such as parking lots and sidewalks-clear of ice in the winter is a crucial practice at many workplaces. Not only does ice removal offer aesthetic benefits, it can also help keep you,...

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Winter Safety: Driving

Losing control of a car is undoubtedly one of the most frightening experiences behind the wheel. Unfortunately, it is a potential side effect when the temperatures turn frigid and the roads get slick with ice or snow....

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Managing and Learning From Medication Mishaps: Promoting a Culture of Safety in Your Healthcare Practice

Working to minimize medication errors and adverse drug events (ADEs) is a worthwhile goal for healthcare practices. Eliminating all errors and ADEs, however, is unlikely due to the fast-paced nature of the healthcare...

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2022 OSHA Penalty Amounts

The Department of Labor has (DOL) released its 2022 inflation-adjusted civil monetary penalties that may be assessed on employers for violations of a wide range of federal laws, including the Occupational Safety and...

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Legal Update: Supreme Court Stays OSHA ETS Vaccination and Testing Mandate

On Jan. 13, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled to stay the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard (ETS). The ETS was...

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Legal Update: Agencies Issue Guidance on Coverage of OTC COVID-19 Tests

On Jan. 10, 2022, the Depts. of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury issued FAQ guidance regarding the requirements for group health plans and health insurance issuers to cover over-the-counter (OTC)...

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Changes Are Coming to the HIPAA Privacy Rule: Are You Prepared?

- - With a turn of the calendar year, 2022 will likely usher in the most significant changes to the HIPAA Privacy Rule in almost a decade. These changes will come on the heels of several years of information-gathering,...

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2022 Workers' Compensation Insurance Market Outlook

Unlike other lines of coverage, the market for workers' compensation insurance has remained stable across most states and industries, performing as an outlier by producing profitable underwriting results. According to...

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