Ethics

Sharpen your focus on Ethics. Update yourself on the Code of Ethics and 2 sets of Standards. Complete the Ethics Self Assessment and review the Case Studies.

AHIMA Code of Ethics

The AHIMA Code of Ethics intended to serve as a professional ethics guide for its members and credentialed professionals who are not members.

Preamble—provides the ethical obligation of AHIMA members and credentialed professionals who are not members.

Values—summarizes core values based on AHIMA's mission.

Purpose—delineates the seven purposes of the Code of Ethics.

Using the Code—describes how members and credentialed professionals who are not members should use the Code.

Ethical Principles—Outlines and interprets the 11 principles that are the Code of Ethics' foundation and serve as a guide to members and credentialed professionals who are not members.

Interpreting the Code—guidelines assist members and HIM professionals in interpreting principles.

Standards of Ethical Coding

Health information coding is one of HIM’s core functions. Due to the complex regulatory requirements affecting the coding process, coding professionals are frequently faced with ethical challenges. The AHIMA Standards of Ethical Coding are intended to:

assist coding professionals and managers in decision-making
outline expectations for making ethical decisions in the workplace
demonstrate coding professionals’ commitment to integrity during the coding process, regardless of the purpose for which codes are being reported

The Standards are relevant to all coding professionals and those managing the coding function, regardless of healthcare setting or AHIMA membership status.

Review the AHIMA Standards of Ethical Coding, which was revised and approved by the House of Delegates in September, 2008.

Standards for Clinical Documentation Improvement Professionals

The AHIMA Ethical Standards for Clinical Documentation Improvement Professionals are intended to assist in decision-making processes and actions, outline expectations for making ethical decisions in the workplace, and demonstrate the professionals' commitment to integrity. They are relevant to all clinical documentation improvement professionals and those who manage the clinical documentation improvement (CDI) function, regardless of the healthcare setting in which they work, or whether they are AHIMA members or nonmembers.

Ethics Self Assessment and Case Studies

The ethics self-assessment is developed to help AHIMA members and credentialed HIM professionals identify strengths as well as and areas needing strengthened. This tool is intended for personal use only. Additionally, there are ten case studies developed to complement the assessment. We anticipate the ethics self-assessment and case studies will be useful and inspiring in your professional development.

Code of Ethics Complaints

The AHIMA Code of Ethics applies to AHIMA members and credentialed HIM professionals who are not members. If you believe an AHIMA member or credentialed professional has violated the Code of Ethics, you may file a complaint with AHIMA. Please see the Professional Ethics Committee Policy and Procedures for filing a complaint. A completed Ethics Complaint Form must be submitted along with supporting documentation to:

AHIMA

Profession Governance - Professional Ethics Committee

233 N. Michigan Ave., 21^st Floor

Chicago, IL 60601

Profession.Governance@ahima.org

Fax: 312-233-1464