WWW.ONLINE-TESTING.COM
HIPAA Compliance
Test users are encouraged to delete client names when their assessment process is completed. This proprietary name deletion procedure involves
a few keystrokes. Once names are deleted they are gone and cannot be retrieved. Deleting names does not delete demographics or test data which
is downloaded into a database for subsequent analysis. This name deletion procedure insures confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA
(federal regulation 45 C.F.R. 164.501) requirements.
ASAM provides patient placement criteria for the treatment of substance-related disorders,
2nd Edition (ASAM, PPC-2).
The "Delete Client Name" option is provided on the "Supervisor Options" section of the test's webpage. To delete the client's name, log in and
navigate to the test that client has taken. On that test's main menu, click on that client's name and then click the "Supervisor Options" button.
On the Supervisor Options page click on the "Delete Client Name" button and then click the "Continue" button. When this step is completed, the test
report will no longer be available for review or printing.
This proprietary software feature is provided to give Online-Testing customers client confidentiality at no additional cost. It is the test user's
responsibility to delete the client's name, thereby insuring that they are HIPAA (federal regulation 45 C.F.R 164.501) compliant.
American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
To increase the effectiveness of patient's substance (alcohol and other drugs) abuse care and to foster the
development of universally accepted patient placement criteria ASAM published the "ASAM Patient Placement
Criteria for the Treatment of Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders." These criteria have been accepted by
many evaluators and mental health professionals. In the public sector, some states are requiring that providers
and managed care companies within these states use the ASAM criteria. However, it should be noted that ASAM Criteria
are not universally accepted by evaluators and mental health professionals
There is sentiment that ASAM is not "universally accepted." Some mental health professionals are of the
opinion that ASAM escalates its recommendations for inpatient treatment too rapidly. Others argue that a
"universally accepted" patient placement criteria is too "rigid" and "limiting" and many patient's substance
abuse-related problems require individualized consideration.
ASAM requires organizations to submit hard copy print or guidelines to the ASAM Criteria Committee for
review and approval. ASAM charges a review fee for guideline review and a license fee or royalties will be
charged for the use of ASAM "criteria."
Since ASAM will not authorize the incorporation of "ASAM Criteria" in whole or in part into non-ASAM-owned
and copyrighted software, Professional Online Testing Solutions, Inc. does not attempt to present or impose ASAM criteria
beyond noting that many of ASAM's criteria are generic, all inclusive and sweeping in nature. And it is these
all-encompassing recommendations that Professional Online Testing Solutions, Inc. refers to when it states that its substance
(alcohol and other drugs) abuse recommendations are ASAM compatible. Professional Online Testing Solutions, Inc. does agree
with ASAM that "problem severity" is an important consideration when deciding upon treatment intensity.
The following observations are simply ASAM quotes that were abstracted for clarity:
"Within the context of DSM-IV classification of substance abuse, ASAM notes there are exceptions to ASAM's
recommended levels of care and these exceptions are based on symptom severity.
Continuing, treatment within any level of care may be modified according to the severity of a client's
substance (alcohol or other drugs) abuse condition.
Individuals must meet DSM-IV criteria for substance abuse "or other standardized and widely accepted
criteria, but whose symptoms are severe enough to warrant assessment".
ASAM continues, treatment within any level of care may be modified according to the severity of the
client's substance (alcohol and other drugs) - related condition.
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