Draft:Health Information Management

Health Information Management deals with the collection, analysis, recording, and organizing of patients’ medical records. The health information managers are a crucial part of the medical industry. As they are the key persons dealing with Revenue Cycle Management (RCM).

Revenue Cycle Management is the process of assessing and evaluating the revenue generated from the time a patient is admitted until he/ she is discharged from the hospital. This is of paramount importance as the hospital industry exists solely on the profit obtained. Moreover, the RCM gained traction with health insurance claims, and medical claims became more common. Qualified health information managers, with globally accepted certifications, having knowledge and experience in key areas, are sought by the medical sector. Recognising the need for certified professionals in the field, a few of the Indian educational institutions have also started offering Health Information Management degree courses.

Role A health information manager’s primary duty is to collect, organize, store, and streamline medical documents. The health information management team will assist in converting traditional medical documents into Electronic Health Records (EHR). The duties, roles, and responsibilities of the health information manager will vary depending on the organization. Regulatory assistance to the hospital administration is also the responsibility of the HIM team. The introduction of EHR in the medical sector has revolutionised the way documentation is done. Key Elements of Health Information Management The Health Information Managers obtain data from different medical departments, including labs, and collate the information. The data thus prepared is maintained in traditional records or as Electronic Health Records (EHRs). The concept of paper records is disappearing with EHR becoming widely popular. The key elements of Health Information Management are: · Data Acquisition & Assessment: The Health Information Management professionals will collect the data concerning the patient, assess it for accuracy, organize it, and store it methodically. · Record Keeping and Management: The patient’s medical records have to be maintained properly. Those should be available whenever sought by the physicians or associated departments. The Health Information Management team has to keep the records properly and manage them as per the laid-down procedures. . Revenue Cycle Management: Revenue cycle from a patient’s admission to the hospital to discharge is analysed and managed by the health information manager. Accurate revenue calculation is of paramount importance, and hospitals depend on HIM specialists for the management of revenue. · Medical Data Security and Privacy: Privacy regulations like HIPAA have to be ensured by the HIM professionals. Preventing data breaches is of utmost importance. Integration of advanced safety systems and state-of-the-art solutions is vital in this regard. · Compliance with Regulations: Complying with the regulations and policies existing in the medical field is also the responsibility of health information managers. Concepts and Definitions

Health Information Management is the process of managing and organizing the health and medical data of patients. The medical data nowadays is stored as Electronic Health Records (EHRs). A dedicated professional team is necessary for undertaking the tasks meticulously. This has led to the creation of health information management professionals. AHIMA and Health Information Management The healthcare industry management has a multilayered system. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) has been the association for professionals from the healthcare sector. The health information management professionals assigned to the task of delivering quality healthcare support to the public are associated with AHIMA. AHIMA came into existence in the late 1920s. It was earlier Association of Record Librarians changed its name to the American Association of Medical Record Librarians in 1938. In 1970, the AAMRL changed its name to American Medical Record Association (AMRA), and in 1991, the organization became American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Health Information Management Job Prospects - Revenue Cycle Management Quality Auditor - Medical Claim Specialist - Revenue Cycle Management Manager - Enrolment Specialist - Clinical Documentation Specialist - Medical Records Summarizer - Insurance Claim Processor - Medical Claim Review Analyst - Insurance Coordinator - Healthcare Functional Analyst - Denial Management Specialist - Clinical Chart Reviewer - Revenue Cycle Analyst - Medical Data Reviewer

Training and Certification

Educational institutions are focusing on job-oriented courses in the healthcare sector, offering degree and diploma courses in Health Information Management. The curriculum normally followed is framed according to global standards. It is right to identify the HIM course as being accepted worldwide.

Sectors That Offer Jobs for HIM Graduates Health Information Management professionals can be employed in the medical Tourism and IT sectors as well. The backend management of premium hospitals is handled by IT companies. They would need professionals with knowledge in medical documentation, medical coding, and medical billing to manage the tasks and integrate advanced solutions. This has created an opportunity for HIM professionals to work in the IT sector. Similarly, the growth of medical tourism has led to an increased need for HIM professionals in hospitals. The HIM course curriculum includes comprehensive analysis, study, and preparation of medical documents, Revenue Cycle Management (RCM), and medical coding systems. This in-depth knowledge of topics associated with the healthcare industry makes HIM specialists a core component in the medical tourism field.