How to manage changing regulations

One of the many challenges of working in healthcare compliance is keeping up with all the changes in regulations. Despite which sector you are in, it seems there are new rules and regulations popping up almost daily which can surely catch your organization off guard if you’re not adequately set up to manage it. Whether you’re new to compliance or a seasoned professional, the following basics are helpful to keep in mind to stay in compliance and on top of any changes to regulations:

1. Define Sources – Depending on the patients or members you serve, or the products you offer, the sources of regulation that are applicable to your world will vary. Therefore, it’s critical to define, and account for, all the guidance which applies to your organization so that you can ensure baseline compliance and can determine the best way to track and distribute changes. 2. Clarify Responsibilities – The responsibility for receiving and processing changes to guidance varies by organization. Therefore, it’s critical to understand who is responsible for all aspects of guidance receipt, distribution and the monitoring and implementation of changes. Way too often poor communication can create confusion on who’s doing what, resulting in gaps which could have expensive ramifications. 3. Understand Expectations – Closely tied with clarifying responsibilities is the important factor of understanding expectations of those impacted by the process. For example, it’s important to know what your senior leadership team and CEO expect as it relates to new guidance and implementation thereafter. Do they want to an executive summary of proposed changes to the laws, as well as the costs associated with implementing changes to comply? Overall, without understanding the demand and expectations of your stakeholders, it can be difficult to succeed. 4. Electronic Tracking – Finally, with all the complexities of healthcare, it’s critical to ensure you’re confident in your processes and are leveraging technology and automation whenever possible to ensure you’re successful. One excellent way to manage guidance with ease is through the Guidance Distribution System (GDS). The tool automates the management and distribution of regulatory guidance, affording you confidence in your process and consistency in your method.