Telehealth Compliance
Given the prevalence and reliance on certification requirements to foster risk management in today’s telehealth industry, it is inarguable that a robust certification tracking system must be essential in order to maintain standard protocols and industry compliance. The implementation of such a system is a necessary precaution to ensure the accountability of personnel and guarantee the protection of a telehealth organization’s financial and ethical investments.
Various authorities and accrediting organizations have a long-standing record of requiring health care staff, both licensure professionals and non-credentialed personnel, to successfully complete both initial and periodic certification training or verification. This trackable record of training is an integral part of maintaining up-to-date industry protocols and for providing quality assurance. To fail in this department could be catastrophic for a telehealth organization’s reputation and public trust.
The penalties and repercussions resulting from noncompliance are staggering and may include major damage to a telehealth organization’s finances and its standing in the industry. Even in the face of these realities, many telehealth organizations still choose to ignore, or at the least, inadequately implement externally focused certification tracking programs. Distinct benefits are, however, demonstrated with organizations that invest in such a system, which includes, but is not limited to, the assurance that personnel are qualitatively trained and compliant with industry standards, intentional and precise scheduling of updates and training, as well as a significant and lasting reduction of costs.
As a Head of Finance, it vital to understand the fundamental function and purpose of a certification tracking system. Such an integrated system is an essential tool that maintains a comprehensive record of personnel certifications and aids in the monitoring, tracking, and communication of Certification statuses and expiration dates. Through periodic verifications each assigned program is able to communicate the status of individual certifications to the organization, including any pertinent expiration dates and information related to the completion of required updates. This necessitates the easy availability of proof of completion, thereby helping to prevent any accidental lapses in compliance.
The process of implementing a full system is often associated with high costs and thus this crucial asset has become underutilized. In actuality, when utilized properly, it can be a major asset for any telehealth organization and may be more cost-effective and less time consuming than any alternate measure. At its core, a successful certification tracking system helps to maintain the level of trust that is essential between the organization, its individuals, and society at large.
Overall, implementing a certification tracking system may seem expensive and arduous in the short-term, however, the associated rewards are undeniable, both in terms of saving costs and protecting the organization’s financial investments. As a Head of Finance within the telehealth industry, the risk of declining to invest in a secure and efficient certification tracking system may be unimaginable.
