Manuals

Consent Manual (2008 Edition) 
The Consent Manual is the most comprehensive and acclaimed resource available regarding legal requirements for patient consent for medical treatment and related health care law. Key updates to this year’s edition include changes to state law on anatomical gifts and donations; sample policy regarding health care decisions for unrepresented patients; changes to the "Conditions of Admissions" form; new "Adverse Event Report" form; lengthening of the 8-hour hold for a mental health patient to a 24-hour hold; expansion of the law regarding notification of patients of a breach of security for unencrypted computerized information, reversal of the Office of Civil Rights position regarding "satisfactory assurances" requirements under HIPAA; addition of several diseases to the list of reportable diseases and conditions; updates regarding umbilical cord blood research, HIV testing consent requirements, "off-label" drug use and much more.

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Read the Memo of Notable Changes

Hospital Charity Care & Discount Policies (2008 Edition)  
The new Charity Care and Discount Payment law requires every general acute-care hospital, psychiatric acute-care hospital and specialty hospital to make the public aware of charity care, payment discounts and government-sponsored health coverage programs. The statute also calls for standardization of hospital billing and collection procedures. In addition, hospitals are now required by law to submit charity care and discount payment policies and procedures bi-annually to the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD). CHA developed this easy-to-use handbook to help front-line managers understand, implement, and comply with the new law.

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EMTALA—A Guide to Patient Anti-Dumping Laws (November 2007 Edition)  
This manual has been fully updated and expanded. The sixth edition of this popular resource now includes: expanded discussion on medical screening exams and requirements for different patient types; tips for managing the transfer process and communicating with the receiving hospitals; tips for managing the transfer acceptance process; a new chapter on the application of EMTALA to disasters and public health emergencies; considerations for self-reporting a potential EMTALA violation and anti-retaliation laws; and seven new policy memoranda issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In addition, while not an EMTALA issue, a discussion of discharge of emergency patients who are homeless has been added.

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Model Medical Staff Bylaws & Rules  (2008 Edition) 

CHA's recommended Model Medical Staff Bylaws & Rules manual sets the framework for the working relationship of the medical staff, hospital administration and governing body, and assures legal protections are in place. The Model Medical Staff Bylaws & Rules manual stresses quality-of-care responsibilities and accountability. System-wide credentialing and allied health professionals also are addressed.

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Read the Memo of Notable Changes

Mental Health Law Manual 

(updated November 2005)
Providing care to patient with mental health issues is complicated. It isn't always easy to know what is "right" and what is "legal."

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The California Patient Privacy Manual
This California-specific resource was written to help providers comply with the new HIPAA privacy regulations. The manual includes a "preemption analysis" that compares privacy requirements under HIPAA to the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act, the California Patient Access to Health Records Act, the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act and other state laws. Written by Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP.

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Minors & Health Care Law 
A Handbook on Consent for Treatment of Infants, Children and Adolescents

Who can give consent for treatment of a minor? What seems "right" may not be legal. Covers consent for treatment of infants, children and adolescents. Updated to include new laws for 2004, including baby stalking and revisions to the newborn abandonment law.

Download the Notable Changes memo.

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Records Retention Guide (2002 Edition-Includes HIPAA)
Which records should be kept and for how long? Use this index of retention requirements to establish an efficient records retention schedule. Now includes HIPAA privacy requirements.

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The California Guide to Preventing Sharps Injuries
Ensure compliance with Cal/OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard and protect workers against HIV and hepatitis B and C. Learn to develop an action plan, evaluate and select devices, establish safer work practices, document sharps injuries and create an exposure control plan.

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Environmental Health & Safety Compliance Manual
Simplify compliance with complex regulations, protect against fines and ensure a safe workplace. This is the only EH&S resource specific to California hospitals and health facilities. Includes self-assessment tools.

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Human Resources Guides & Manuals
These publications are offered at a special CHA-discount and are available to members only. All manuals are written by labor law expert and attorney Richard J. Simmons of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, LLP.

Best Practices for Project Management, Design, and Construction of Buildings Under OSHPD Jurisdiction

Download the Best Practices for Project Management, Design, and Construction of Buildings Under OSHPD Jurisdiction manual (PDF), published by the California HealthCare Foundation.