Health Information Management (HIM)

Introduction

• Health Information Management is often misunderstood.
• Many believe it is an IT field or synonymous with health informatics.
• This lecture covers:
  • Definition and scope of HIM
  • Roles of HIM professionals
  • Brief history of HIM
  • Pathway to becoming a HIM professional

What is Health Information Management?

• HIM focuses on managing healthcare data/information regardless of format:
  • Paper, electronic, or hybrid
  • Data created by various healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, social workers)
  • Used for patient care, research, or funding purposes.
• HIM overlaps with:
  • Health Information Technology (HIT): Focus on technology, especially Electronic Health Records (EHR).
  • Health Informatics: Focus on database management and programming.
• HIM emphasizes:
  • Records management
  • Medical terminology
  • Data classifications
  • Business and healthcare related to health records management.

Roles of HIM Professionals

1. Release of Information Analysts:

   • Review and process requests for personal health information.
   • Ensure compliance with privacy laws and standards.
   • Advocate for privacy, confidentiality, and security.

2. Coding Specialists:

   • Analyze hospital records to assign correct codes for diagnoses, conditions, and procedures.
   • Codes are submitted to the Canadian Institute for Health Information for analysis.
   • Essential for quality healthcare data collection and usage.

3. Clinical Terminology Specialists:

   • Map and link clinical terminologies.
   • Assist in EHR implementation and maintenance.
   • Transform healthcare data into useful information.

4. Project Managers:

   • Manage projects like the introduction of personal health records.
   • Promote patient education and empowerment through access to health information.

Work Environments for HIM Professionals

• HIMs work in:
  • Acute care facilities
  • Primary care settings
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Research organizations
  • Government agencies
• They are crucial in various healthcare organizations.

History of HIM

• Originates from managing health records in hospitals.
• Early HIMs were known as medical record librarians:
  • Responsible for storing and using data in paper medical records.
• In 1942, the Canadian Association of Medical Record Librarians was formed.
  • Aimed to set standards for record management.
  • Today known as the Canadian Health Information Service.
• The profession has evolved from medical record librarians to HIM professionals, expanding beyond paper records to all formats of health information.

Becoming a HIM Professional

• Requirements in Canada:
  • Graduate from a CHIMA-recognized educational program.
  • Pass the National Certification Exam.
• Recognized HIM programs include courses in:
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Healthcare System in Canada
  • Health Information Services
  • Information systems and technology
  • Management and ethics.

Summary

• HIM is distinct from health informatics and health information technology.
• HIM professionals ensure privacy, data quality, and adherence to standards in health information management.
• The profession has a rich history and continues to adapt to modern healthcare needs.