Research Reports

The FORE Grant-in-Aid program is directed toward supporting the development of HIM professionals as leaders in defining and validating the unique body of knowledge encompassed by HIM. The results of these studies not only provide information for the HIM professional to apply in meeting current and future challenges, but also support policy initiatives and the redefinition of the roles of HIM practitioners.

Below, you will find links to Perspectives in Health Information Management or Journal of AHIMA articles profiling the completed studies funded through the Grant-in-Aid Program to date, as well as summaries of studies in progress.

Completed Studies

Academic Program Variables That Predict Success on the Registered Health Information Administrator Certification Examination

Study Conducted by: Marjorie H. McNeill, MS, RHIA, CCS at Florida A&M University

Current Coding Competency Compared to Projected Competencies Described in "Evolving HIM Careers"
Study conducted by: Jennifer Hornung Garvin, MBA, RHIA, CPHQ, CCS, CTR, Gwynedd-Mercy College & Valerie J.M. Watzlaf, PhD, RHIA, University of Pittsburgh.
This study will evaluate the current status of skill and knowledge among coders in comparison to the skill sets projected in Vision 2006 for the role of clinical data specialist. In addition to assessing the preparedness of current coders to move into this future role, the study will provide baseline data about self-assessed skill in a variety of nomenclature and classifications, and other skill areas discussed in the Vision 2006 publication Evolving HIM Careers.

Preparing for the New Health Information Management Roles through Continuing Education Participation
Study conducted by: Nannette Sayles, MSHIM, MPA, RHIA, CCS; Doctoral Candidate at the University of Georgia

This study will focus on the impact of technology on HIM roles and will determine the motivations and deterrents to health information management (HIM) professionals preparing for the new roles created by changes in healthcare. Upon completion, a summary of findings will be available in the Journal of AHIMA and on this Web site to assist HIM professionals in creating their career development plans.

Research Lessons:  Designing a Study for a Clinical Setting
Study conducted by: Frances Wickham Lee, DBA, RHIA, Karen A. Wager, DBA, RHIA and Andrea W. White, PhD, RHIA, Medical University of South Carolina. 

This study analyzes the impact of direct entry into the EMR on the physician-patient relationship. Conducting research in a clinical setting presents unique challenges. Take a look inside a research study to see what one team learned when it investigated EHR systems on the clinical floor.

Standards for the Content of Electronic Health Records
Study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh, Department of Health Information Management under direction of Valerie J.M. Watzlaf, PhD, RHIA.
The focus of this research study is to identify usage of aspects of the ASTM E1384 Standard Guide on Content and Structure of Electronic Health Records and the corresponding ASTM E 1633 Coded Values for Electronic Health Records. The study will also collect feedback on how the content of the standards for electronic health records/computer-based patient records (EHR/CPR) meet users' needs.

Look at Life on the Job for Mortality Data Reporters
Study conducted and article written by Glenda A. Terry, MPH, RHIA, CPHQ. Results published in September, 2001.
Mortality statistics are used for research and public health management throughout the world. The data from which such statistics are derived can be traced back to the coding personnel reporting mortality data. In this article, we take a look at the training and educational background of these professionals, and whether it is equivalent to their responsibilities.

Effective and Efficient Public Health Reporting using ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS

Study Conducted by: Valerie J. Watzlaf, PhD, RHIA, FAHIMA, University of Pittsburgh and Jennifer H. Garvin, PhD, RHIA, CPHQ, CCS, CTR, FAHIMA

This study will address three areas of interest: investigate the completeness of the ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS systems in capturing public health diseases and related procedures; measure the effectiveness and efficiency of ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS in public health reporting; and collect feedback from users on how applicable the ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS systems are in relation to capturing publichealth diseases and related procedures.

Improving HIM Practice Standards: Releasing Health Information for Research Purposes under the HIPAA Privacy Rule

Study Conducted by: Shannon H. Houser, PhD, RHIA, MPH, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Thi sstudy will examine the policies and procedures related to release of health information for research purposes under the HIPAA Privay Rule.  The barrieres and problems related to release of information for research purposes will also be assessed.

Development of a Public Health Assessment Tool to Prevent Lyme Disease: Tool Construction and Validation
Study conducted by: Jennifer Hornung Garvin, MBA, RHIA, CPHQ, CCS, CTR; Gwynedd-Mercy College, Doctoral Candidate at Temple University
The Healthy People 2010 report targets Lyme disease for a 44% incidence reduction in endemic states.  Ideally, to develop appropriate public health interventions for these endemic areas, as assessment would be needed to provide the necessary information.  No such comprehensive tool exists for Lyme disease.  It is the intent of this study to develop such an instrument and to establish appropriate indices of reliability and validity.

Studies in Progress

HIPAA Transactions and Code Sets: Have the Standards Been Successful

Study Conducted by: Julie Roth, MHSA, JD, RHIA, University of Kansas Medical Center

This grant will be used to develop a survey instrument to measure the actual benefits of standardization under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Transactions and Code Sets Rule. Estimated completion date - September 2005.

Health Record Retention Practices: A Study of the "Most Wired" Hospitals

Study Conducted by: Laurie A. Rinehart-Thompson, JD, RHIA, CHP, The Ohio State University

This exploratory study will collect data on health record retention practices from a sample of HIM managers in facilities identified as the "most wired" by Hospitals and Health Networks.  The results will provide a baseline to assess current health record retention practices and by which to make recommendations for the future e-HIM (TM) environment.  Estimated completion date - March 2006.

Examination of the Quality of the 2003 Birth Certificate Data in Pennsylvania

Study Conducted by: Margaret M. Foley, MBA, RHIA, CCS, Temple Univeristy

The project will study the impact of the National Center for Health Statistics 2003 revision to the U.S. Standard Certificate of Live Birth and accompanying facility and maternal worksheets on birth certificate data accuracy and completeness.

Estimated completion date - March 2005.

Benchmarking Student Recruitment and Graduate Retention Strategies in the Health Information Management Profession
Study conducted by: Donna J. Slovensky, PhD, FAHIMA, RHIA; Pamela Paustian, MSM; and Sara Grostick, MA, RHIA, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
This project will identify and benchmark effective student recruiting practices employed in HIM education programs. HIA programs that successfully recruit students who remain active in the HIM profession will be identified and analyzed as models of best practice. The aim is to transport successful practices to aid in developing applicant pools that enable programs to increase enrollment, particularly among students who maintain a long-term commitment to the profession. Estimated completion date - December 2003.

Evaluation and Enhancement of Accessibility of Consumer Health Information for People with Physical and Device Limitations
Study conducted by: Xiaoming Zeng, MD; Doctoral Candidate at the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Science, Dept. of Health Information Management
Addressing the AHIMA research priority to study the impact of technology on consumer access to health information, this study will investigate the accessibility and usability of health information Web sites for two consumer groups - people with disabilities and PDA users. Estimated completion date - June 2005.

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