CELEBRATE NATIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION & TECHNOLOGY WEEK, NOVEMBER 2 – 8

HI&T Week recognizes the contributions of the health information management and technology fields

November 2 through 8 is National Health Information and Technology (HI&T) Week. Sponsored by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), this annual event recognizes the work of those healthcare professionals who maintain and protect the health information of Americans nationwide. This year’s theme is “Managing the Records of Life.”

Earlier this year, the Final Privacy Rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) went into effect. Under this new federal regulation, patients now have the right to view, amend, and obtain copies of their health information. This has increased their knowledge of the importance of properly managed health information.
“A health record serves as the basis for planning patient care. To receive quality healthcare, accurate and timely health information is crucial—this is the primary goal of the health information professional,” stated Barbara Siegel, MS, RHIT, AHIMA president. “HI&T Week is an opportunity to learn more about the role these professionals play in the healthcare system, as well as recognize and celebrate their contributions to patient care, public health, and the bottom line.”

According to Siegel, health information professionals contribute to “Managing the Records of Life” by:

• Protecting patient privacy and providing information security

• Ensuring health information is complete and available to legitimate users

• Coding and classifying data for reimbursement

• Analyzing information necessary for decision support

• Administering health information computer systems

• Complying with standards and regulations regarding health information

• Preparing health data for accreditation surveys

• Analyzing clinical data for research and public policy

For additional information about the health information profession or HI&T Week, visit AHIMA’s Web site at www.ahima.org

Created in 1928 and celebrating its 75th anniversary, AHIMA is a professional Association that represents more than 45,000 specially educated health information management (HIM) professionals who work throughout the healthcare industry. AHIMA fosters the career growth of its members through education, certification, and lifelong learning—promoting quality health information to benefit the public, providers, and others who utilize clinical data.

The DSU HIM Club will be hosting various activities on campus designed to promote the week. Contact Dorine Bennett for more information.