Health Information Management is a profession that dates back further than 1928.

It was
in 1928 that AHIMA, American Health Information Management Association, was founded. The
profession today has come a great distance from what it once was. From shuffling paper files to a
fully functioning electronic system for health records, the profession has gone through its fair
share of changes. In the beginning of this profession, HIM Professionals were working with
complete paper records. Sharing files was something that could take days to complete. With
simple tasks taking days or weeks to complete the quality of care was suffering. Because of this,
along with the fast paced changes being brought about by information technology, the delivery
of healthcare in the US was about to go through exciting, major changes.
Today, most healthcare systems are converting, or have already done so, to full
functioning electronic health records. Over the past few years HIM professionals have witnessed
a complete and drastic change to their daily duties. The implementation of the EHR has many
benefits but also brings about a lot of confused and worried HIM professionals. Change, while
healthy and necessary to keep up with todays fast paced world, can be frightening for some.
The fear comes from the thought of losing jobs to a computer software system. While this
is a possibility for some professionals, for the most part the HIM profession will add to the full
quality of care experience of the EHR and other fully electronic systems. Whether it be
implementing the EHR or even computer assisted coding (CAC), the expertise of the Health
Information Management Profession will only enhance the outcome and quality of care.

The implementation of the electronic health record, or EHR, began in the early 2000s. It
was under the Bush administration that Americans were promised access to electronic health
records within the next ten years. With the implementation of the EHR many benefits began
emerging. Quality of healthcare is a major benefit to the electronic health record. It is convenient
and it allows for everything to be in one place as well as in one format. This, along with built in
error reducing mechanisms, means less over all errors in patient care, thus greatly improving the
quality of care for patients. Less errors also means less wasteful spending, which is an obvious
plus for the EHR. For the first time patients are really becoming active in health related decision
making processes. Patients have greater, easier access to their records online and can be an active
part in making decisions. With the EHR in place the continuity of care is greatly impacted. Now,
physicians and specialists are able to share files and diagnosis in real time. This helps for faster
treatment and more accurate diagnosis because they are able to work together as a team for
patient health.
Another exciting step towards electronic system is the development of computer assisted
coding. According to Sayles, there is even a greater movement toward more complete
computerization of the coding function using a supporting technology called computer-assisted
coding (CAC). As the role of the coding professional changes with more electronically generated
records, facilities will need to review their current coding tools including the encoder to
determine if they are still appropriate in the CAC environment.

The coder will not be assigning codes from scratch any longer but will utilize the encoder to
verify correct coding and review edits and issues that impact reimbursement. (Sayles, 2013, p.
217) Computer assisted coding has some HIM professionals fearful for losing their jobs as
professional coders. Even though we are moving towards a fully electronic system there will
always be a need for the expertise of the HIM professional to catch errors as well as monitor the
CAC software systems.
As we begin to move into this new, fully electronic world of health information
management it is obvious that the roles within the profession will change. Change is frightening
to some, however, the HIM profession has undergone changes often since it began in the early
1900s. Roles of the HIM professional will begin to shift towards being proficient in the
electronic systems being implemented. This includes both the EHR systems and CAC systems.
HIM professionals will need to master the new software and the veteran HIM professionals may
even need to develop new skillsets that they werent previously required to have. With all of the
change being brought about, new HIM positions will be emerging as well. A few exciting new
career options for HIM professionals include compliance officers, data quality managers, and
medical informatics. With HIPAA and CMC regulations changing rapidly the need for a topnotch compliance program is at an all-time high. A compliance officer is able to ensure
compliance and liability. Data quality manager are typically employed to ensure the quality of
data within the coding departments as well as for reimbursements.

Medical informatics positions help to develop the electronic systems being implemented. These
are only a few of vast amount of exciting new opportunities being brought to the HIM
professional.
With newly emerging computerized systems bringing about high quality of care, more
proficient continuity of care, less errors, and more patient involvement as well as the brand new
roles being offered to HIM professionals it is a very exciting time to be joining such a face paced
profession. HIM professionals have shown their dedicated to patients by constantly moving two
steps forward to keep up with the ever changing demands of the healthcare industry. So, while
change can be a bit worrisome and stressful, change has built this profession to what it is today,
and that is promising to all of the new HIM professionals of the healthcare industry.

Works Cited

A Brief History of Electronic Health Records (EHRs). (2012, January 18). Retrieved November
23, 2014.
Benefits of Electronic Health Records (EHRs). (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2014.
Emerging Career Opportunities for the Future. (2002, June 10). Retrieved November 23, 2014.
Sayles, N. (2013). Health information management technology: An applied approach (4th. ed.).
Chicago, Ill.: AHIMA Press.
The Progression of the Roles and Functions of HIM Professionals: A Look into the Past, Present,
and Future. (2009, January 1). Retrieved November 23, 2014.