MFT’s rule authorizing marriage and family therapists to diagnose any and all known mental disorders is not within the scope of practice set forth in state law. “The common, ordinary meaning of


the words used in the statute and the accepted definition of diagnosis do not provide authority for marriage and family therapists to diagnose mental disorders or for MFT board to adopt a rule authorizing them to do so,” TMA’s brief states.


Take steps to protect your practice from ransomware


RANSOMWARE attacks have become a common threat for hospitals and physician practices throughout the United States and Texas. Ransomware can completely disable a practice by encrypting the patient data, essen- tially making it inaccessible until the ransom is paid. TMA suggests you follow these tips


to protect your practice from ransom- ware and other malware attacks:


• Back up your computer system on a regular basis to an external drive or a backup service.


• Set up your e-mail accounts to deny e-mails sent with executable files (.exe file extensions).


• Patch or update your software on a regular basis.


• Enable automatic software updates whenever possible.


• Make sure your computer systems are protected by a reputable anti- malware software.


• Protect your system with a software firewall to help detect threats.


• Train your employees on avoiding potential malware threats, such as SPAM. TMA Practice Consulting, www.texmed.org/TMAPractice Consulting, offers HIPAA training for your practice. For information, call (800) 523-8776.


September 2016 TEXAS MEDICINE 21


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64