CHICAGO, IL - A new report in the September issue of the Journal of AHIMA defines how the goals to improve patient safety and quality of care can be achieved by applying HIM principles, and by utilizing functional business processes in the various systems sharing health data.

The report indicates technology is an essential tool to achieve the benefits of health information exchange (HIE). However, during the early stages of developing initiatives, it is imperative for health information managers (HIM) to effectively focus on their core principles- including data capture, quality, privacy and security-and effectively build such principles into HIE workflows. The electronic transmission of patient data prior to handling the business aspect of the process potentially can reduce patient safety while increasing healthcare costs.

There is ongoing progress in the development of electronic health record standards that includes electronic transmission methods for HIEs and the nationwide health information network. AHIMA is now calling for the development and implementation of HIE standards for the quality of data content, data mapping and clinical documentation.
These standard HIM principles can ensure the accurate transmission of data across participating regional health information organizations (RHIOs), who in turn, must build their data exchanges on sound principles and processes to successfully exchange information. RHIOs institute sound HIM data exchange principles to enhance the quality and safety of data shared, and to optimize the quality of care delivered.

As HIEs become more widespread, the HIM professional's knowledge base on healthcare workflow, data integrity issues, and state and federal disclosure laws will help them manage barriers to RHIO formation and facilitate the definition of key workflows and processes.


About AHIMA

AHIMA is the leading professional Association representing more than 51,000 specially educated and certified health information management professionals working throughout the healthcare industry. HIM professionals serve healthcare and the public by managing, analyzing, and utilizing data vital for health system management.

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