The process of compliance aims to prevent which of the following?

The compliance process is primarily designed to prevent fraud and abuse within healthcare organizations. This focus on fraud and abuse aligns with legal regulations and standards that govern healthcare operations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the False Claims Act. These regulations aim to safeguard against actions that could lead to financial loss, legal penalties, or harm to patients, which can arise from fraudulent practices like falsifying medical records, billing for services not rendered, or misrepresenting the nature of services provided.

The framework for compliance establishes protocols, policies, and training programs to ensure that all personnel are informed about what constitutes fraud and abuse. By fostering a culture of integrity and transparency, compliance functions help to identify and mitigate risks early, thus promoting ethical conduct within the organization.

Other options, although significant in the realm of healthcare, either align with broader operational standards or focus on separate areas of patient safety and financial accuracy but do not encapsulate the central aim of compliance as directly as fraud and abuse prevention does. For instance, while unauthorized access to patient records is a critical issue related to data security and privacy, and infection control is vital for patient safety, these are not the primary focus of compliance activities. Similarly, while billing discrepancies are a concern,