In healthcare, we deal with sensitive health information. The personal health information of a patient is called "IIHI." The type of information that qualifies as "IIHI" is information related to a patient's medical history. This includes ailments, treatments, outcomes, and any unique characteristic that makes a person identifiable. Many of us aren't aware that we're collecting this data, but it is vital to our health and well-being.
Compliance officers in health information departments are responsible for implementing and maintaining systems and processes. They work closely with coders and medical staff to improve the quality of patient data and ensure that the systems are bug-free and secure. They also perform regular audits to ensure that the health information department is operating in accordance with federal laws and AHIMA guidelines. In addition, they keep track of trends and denials to make sure their efforts are working as they should.
There are many careers in health information. Health information professionals have an extensive background in health information management. They are certified as Registered HIT Administrators in the United States. To become a Registered HIM, you need a bachelor's degree in health informatics or business, as well as a certificate or degree. Another option is to become a Certified Hospital Information Systems Professional (CHIM). This certification requires an individual to have knowledge of the health care environment and know the basics of Health IT.
