Introduction
I had the opportunity to interact with the Director of Health Information Management (HIM) at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas. The interview was enlightening and instructive, providing insight into the day-to-day operations of HIM at an extensive hospital system, the field’s difficulties and prospects, and the position of HIM in the larger healthcare environment. This essay will look at the role of professional organizations for HIM professionals, and the HIM functions at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Educational and Work Background
The interviewee had over 20 years of experience in the HIM sector, serving in various roles before becoming the Director at Memorial Hermann. She started her career as a coder, coding medical data for billing purposes, and then moved on to work as a clinical documentation improvement expert before advancing to HIM management. She graduated from the University of Texas Health Science with a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. She then rose through the ranks to become an HIM director in an extensive hospital system in Houston and a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). Her previous responsibilities include coding specialist, coding manager, and director of HIM.
Current HIM Role/Job
When I inquired the director about her present job and role, she revealed that she supervises a large team of HIM experts, including coders, clinical documentation improvement specialists, the release of information specialists, and electronic health record (EHR) analysts. Their tasks include assuring their team’s accuracy, completeness, and security of medical information, maintaining compliance with regulatory standards, administering the EHR system, and providing direction and support.
Internal and External Stakeholders
Internal stakeholders at Memorial Hermann Hospital Facilities include the hospital’s governing board, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. The community, the patient population, and regulatory authorities such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Joint Commission are examples of external stakeholders. The governing board defines the hospital’s policies and strategic direction, while physicians and nurses provide patient care. The community and patient population are critical stakeholders since they are the reason for the hospital’s existence. Regulatory bodies ensure that the hospital offers safe, effective, and high-quality treatment.
Components of the Data Dictionary and Datasets for the EHR
I also asked the Director about their experience managing the transition to an EHR system. They explained that while the transition was initially challenging, the benefits of the EHR system have been significant. The data dictionary at Memorial Hermann Hospital Facility is a comprehensive list of all the data elements collected and stored in the EHR. It includes patient demographics, diagnosis codes, and procedure codes (Wu, 2020). Data types, such as clinical, administrative, financial, and quality, organize the datasets in the HER (Henderson 2017). The EHR system used at the facility is Epic.
Privacy Strategies
Memorial Hermann Hospital Facility has privacy policies in place to protect patient information. One such strategy is to use role-based access control, which limits access to patient information to those who require it to perform their job duties. Moreover, the hospital has rules and procedures to guarantee that patient information is kept private and not revealed without the patient’s permission or a reasonable legal basis.
Security Strategies
Security strategies are also in place at Memorial Hermann Hospital Facility to protect patient information. The hospital uses a variety of technical and administrative controls to prevent unauthorized access to patient information. Technical controls include firewalls, encryption, and intrusion detection systems, while administrative rules have policies and procedures for handling sensitive information.
Policies and Strategies for Data Integrity
Data integrity is critical in HIM functions, and Memorial Hermann Hospital Facility has policies and strategies to ensure that data is accurate, complete, and consistent. One such approach is using standard terminologies and coding systems, such as ICD-10 and CPT, to ensure that data is recorded consistently across the organization (Degn, 2020). Additionally, the hospital has procedures for verifying data accuracy and correcting errors when identified.
Computer Applications for HIM Functions
The HIM department at Memorial Hermann Hospital Facility utilizes a variety of computer applications for coding, the release of information, birth registry, chart analysis, and document imaging. One area of particular interest that the director mentioned was data analytics in HIM. They explained that data analytics could be used to identify trends and patterns in healthcare data, which can be used to improve patient care and healthcare outcomes. For example, data analytics can identify patients at high risk for readmission, allowing healthcare providers to provide targeted interventions to prevent readmission (Degn, 2020). The director noted that using data analytics in HIM is a growing area that offers exciting opportunities for improving patient care and outcomes.
Outsourcing HIM Functions
The director stated that the company outsources certain HIM activities, such as coding and transcribing. They did underline, however, that outsourcing is done extremely carefully and only for services that an outside business can accomplish more efficiently or cost-effectively. For example, rather than hiring a full-time coder with that experience, they may outsource coding for a particular specialization that requires specialized knowledge.
Ensuring Behaviors Embrace Professionalism and Cultural Diversity
The director explained that their organization has several initiatives to ensure professionalism and cultural diversity. They have a code of conduct that emphasizes respect, integrity, and professionalism, reinforced through regular training and education. They also have a diversity and inclusion committee that promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace and provides opportunities for education and awareness around cultural issues.
Compliance with External Force
Another topic of debate was compliance with external influences. The director explained that their organization has a comprehensive compliance program to ensure that all relevant healthcare regulations and standards are followed. They have a designated compliance officer who manages the program, and all staff are trained on compliance obligations regularly. The director also emphasized the necessity of internal audits and monitoring to identify possible noncompliance areas and take remedial action.
Job Satisfaction
The director said that they like the variety and difficulty of their work when questioned about their level of job satisfaction. By the correct and thorough maintenance of medical records, they find it fulfilling to be able to improve patient care. They agreed that the work might sometimes be stressful, mainly when there are regulatory changes or other difficulties. She also emphasized that effective communication is crucial in ensuring easy workflow.
Job Opportunities for New HIM Graduates
Regarding job opportunities for new HIM graduates, the director suggested that graduates may be best suited for entry-level positions in coding, clinical documentation improvement, or release of information. However, they also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had had an impact on job opportunities, particularly in areas such as coding and revenue cycle management. The director explained that the shift to telehealth and the changes in billing and coding regulations during the pandemic had created a need for HIM professionals with specialized knowledge and skills.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the discussion with the Memorial Hermann Medical Facility’s director of health information management was insightful. Outsourcing, professionalism and cultural diversity, compliance, work happiness, and employment possibilities for recent graduates were all addressed by the director’s experience and competence. The area of HIM is continually changing, with new options and problems appearing often. To face these obstacles and significantly influence patient care, HIM experts must be agile and adaptive.
References
Degn, L. (2020). Integrating integrity: The organizational translation of policies on research integrity. Science and Engineering Ethics, 26(6), 3167–3182. Web.
Henderson, J. (2017). Health information management journal reviewers 2017. Health Information Management Journal, 47(1), 56–56. Web.
Wu, H. (2020). Use of EHR data for research: Future. Statistics and Machine Learning Methods for EHR Data, 295–301. Web.