The health information management (HIM) professional plays a significant role in managing information within the public health arena. As managers of information flow, HIM professionals utilize increasing levels of technology to link clinical settings, public health departments, research institutions, and consumers with health information. As the field of technology has grown HIM plays a critical role in the successful implementation of electronic health records (EHR) and ensures that providers, healthcare organizations, and patients have access to the right health information when and where it is needed while maintaining the highest standards of data integrity, confidentiality, and security. HIM professional also plan information systems,
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is a recognized, respected association of health information management (HIM) professionals worldwide. Founded in 1928, AHIMA has become a respected authority for professional education and training in the effective management of health data and medical records needed to deliver quality healthcare to the public. Throughout AHIMA’s history back to 1928, the American College of Surgeons established the Association of Record Librarians of North America (ARNLA) to “elevate the standards of clinical records in hospitals and other medical institutions” (www.ahima.org, 2015). Since its formation, the Association has undergone several name changes in its evolution of the profession. In 1938 the Association changed its name to the American Association of Medical Record Librarians (AAMRL) for a more concise representation. When the Association became the American Medical Record Association in 1970, health information professionals had increased their involvement in hospitals, community health centers, and other health service facilities. As the health industry continues to evolve, the Association changed its name in 1991 to American Health Information Management Association to capture the expanded scope of clinical data beyond medical records to health information comprising the entire continuum of care.
Today, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH’s) main focus is to transfer healthcare records from a paper format to a digital format known as Electronic Health Records (EHR). Due to the sensitivity of the transferal of this data; the possibility of hackers and breaches, the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) alongside HITECH recommend that health care entities employ multiple approved governing standards to aid in the facility remaining compliant with current local and federal regulations for safety and privacy of said data (Oracle.com, 2011). These regulations govern both the local and federal hardware/software vendors and users now known as business associates under the Mega
This week’s reading delves into the definitions of the processes and terminology that drives the way that Health Information Technology would operate in the ideal environment. These policies and procedures create the foundation for organizations to build a more interoperable health environment. Currently, each health care establishment seems to operate like its own country. Although they may belong to the larger continent, they may have their own language, currency and customs. This is great when operating within the country, but once a citizen needs to travel to a neighboring republic, the language, currency and custom just doesn’t translate as well. Important information may just be lost in translation. To attempt to bridge this issue, the
I found that chapter nine, health information management, is a great topic that is at the foundation of chapter fifteen, fraud laws and corporate compliance. Chapter nine, dives into what health information is, regardless of what form it takes (paper, electronic, etc.) and explains why the information should always be accurate (fraud, medical errors, etc.) and confidential. I believe that one of the best-kept secrets in healthcare is that patients have a right to see their chart. Quite often, we forget that we have a legal right to access our health information. Moreover, the chapter covers HIPPA and other state/federal laws that govern the protection of health information. The biggest lesson to take from this, and one you think most employees
Prior to measuring quality of the information produced and used, healthcare organization must establish data standards. To establish its own data quality standards, it is a vital to use quality data standards published by Medical Records Institute (MRI) and American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) as a baseline. Applicable regulations, accreditation and professional practice standards, and legal measures must be maintained accordingly as such health record is a legal business record for health organization.
In this case study there are several different topics that are covered in goal setting as well as the application of these goals. I have taken some main points that I will discuss about the primary ideas behind the goals set and used by HIS (Health Information Services).
Abstracting in the Health Information Management (HIM) profession means “to capture the core of what defines” or summaries the patients chart and review for accuracy (Henriksen, Fanhoe, & Mishra, 2014, p. 3). Medical records tell the story of who, what, when, why and how for the patient. Abstracting can further be defined as “a process of revealing a critical essence of some real object that exists by removing everything except a finite number of its key elements” (p. 4). This process is important for HIM because it allows for needed data to be extracted for further analysis and comparison for quality improvement and training.
Information should be collected through various channels including the routine health information system; and through monitoring, evaluation, research, surveillance, and vital statistics. It should also be collected, analyzed and used at all levels of the health system. At central level, information will be analyzed and the findings circulated in a useful format to feed into informed decision making. The Ministry is also committed to use the information to help cultivate a culture of accountability in the health sector” (MoPh Public,
Reason why I would care whether the health information managers in the practice are certified and registered professionals is because physicians may overlook the valuable information needed in a patient’s record. Only a certified health information manager is qualified to check and catch for errors or things missing in a patient’s chart, especially on a busy day. For example, a doctor maybe busy and forget to sign doctors notes or orders thinking he or she can come back to it. But the Him professional looks and notices if everything is in compliance and notices the error which could affect coding and reimbursement also affect from a legal perspective. Certified HIM professional are well trained and educated for these roles because they are
Ginneth, you are completely right that meaningful use has helped increase the implementation of healthcare information technology because meaningful use specifically requires the use of technology. If it did not require technology, there would not be a need for HIT. In your second paragraph you explained very well how meaningful use has helped healthcare interoperability by allowing healthcare providers to exchange information through
There are many ehr companies that offer EMR programs and their respective product capabilities. The AARP made it mandatory in 2009 for providers in the hospital to be eligible and make sure that hospital can demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health records and met the criteria by 2015 or they will be subject to payment penalties. (Oachs, 2016). In today’s business, information technology is becoming more potent than ever; it is now evolving rapidly in the medical field as well. As the health information systems is on the rise, with the growing outlay of healthcare organizations in technology it is mandated that professionals gained the skills in health information. Healthcare is a unique and complex domain, which led to so
It is agreed that clinical documentation systems are used at a high rate in health care information technology. There is so much that technology has changed and will continue to change in the future, which includes electronic health records. The mention of security with information technology is an important part of protecting health information with most of it being electronic protection remains just as important to consumers. There needs to be continued work to improve security to prevent breeches and threats. In the article by Ropp and Quammen (2015), it reviews the growing number of breaches to protected health information since 2010. A large number could be linked backed to laptops, thumb drives, and paper records that had been stolen
One of the avoidable missteps often made when a practice implements a new electronic health record (EHR) is failing to train staff adequately. Tom Giannulli, CMI officer for Kareo, told Physicians Practice it's not wise to try to learn a new system and see patients at the same time, going so far as to suggest doing so will ultimately “waste time and increase frustration.” Many industry experts agree with Giannulli. Most warn medical organizations who don't take the time to initiate a full-scale training program on the new technology, they can expect productivity and accuracy to suffer, at least in the short term. Of course, few practices can financially afford to shutter their office for a week of intensive training. Their patients may experience
If you had a choice, would you prefer medical care from a facility with an Electronic Health Record?