What is meant by 'due diligence' in the context of healthcare compliance?

In the context of healthcare compliance, 'due diligence' refers to the proactive efforts taken by organizations to ensure that they adhere to applicable laws, regulations, policies, and standards. This includes implementing appropriate policies and procedures, monitoring operations, and taking steps to prevent and detect any compliance breaches. By ensuring policy adherence, organizations can safeguard against potential legal risks, improve operational efficiency, and protect the quality of patient care.

Due diligence encompasses a broad range of compliance activities, which may include regular training for staff and conducting audits to monitor adherence to established protocols. However, its primary focus is on the systematic approach to maintaining compliance within the organization rather than just isolated initiatives such as financial audits or new hire training. Documentation of patient interactions, while important for patient care and regulatory compliance, is a specific task rather than a comprehensive strategy reflecting the broader concept of due diligence in compliance.