Health information management
Health Information Management (HIM)
Health Information Management (/hɛlθ ɪnfərˈmeɪʃən ˈmænɪdʒmənt/) is the practice of acquiring, analyzing, and protecting digital and traditional medical information vital to providing quality patient care. It is a combination of business, science, and information technology.
Etymology
The term "Health Information Management" was first used in the United States in the 1920s, when medical record librarians began to expand their roles from record keeping to include the management of health information for insurance purposes, clinical research, and patient care.
Related Terms
- Electronic Health Record (EHR): An electronic version of a patient's medical history, maintained by the provider over time, and may include all of the key administrative clinical data relevant to that person's care under a particular provider.
- Health Informatics: The interdisciplinary study of the design, development, adoption, and application of IT-based innovations in healthcare services delivery, management, and planning.
- Medical Coding: The transformation of healthcare diagnosis, procedures, medical services, and equipment into universal medical alphanumeric codes.
- Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI): The process of improving healthcare records to ensure improved patient outcomes, data quality, and accurate reimbursement.
Importance of Health Information Management
Health Information Management professionals ensure a patient's health information is complete, accurate, and protected. They play a critical role in the care of patients and in the healthcare system as a whole. They work on the classification of diseases and treatments to ensure they are standardized for clinical, financial, and legal uses in healthcare. Health Information Management professionals are highly trained in the latest information management technology applications.
Careers in Health Information Management
There are many career paths available for those interested in Health Information Management, including:
- Health Information Technician: These professionals organize and manage health information data.
- Medical Coder: Medical coders review clinical statements and assign standard codes using CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and PCS codes.
- Health Information Manager: These professionals are responsible for the maintenance and security of all patient records and data.
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.