October 2006

Contributing school:

CONTRIBUTORS
James Sternesky
Grant Landsbach
Stevan Hidalgo

To submit or to suggest an article, send your e-mail to studentconnection@ahima.org

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• Release of Information and Identity Theft: A Rookie's Experience
• Plan Now to Celebrate HI&T Week
• Plan to Participate in Upcoming Student Chats
• Web Sites You Can Use
• Join Other Students and Mentors for an Online Chat
• Meet an AHIMA Mentor
• Maintain Your Eligibility for Student Membership
• Student Members Have Access to LTC, Coding Newsletters
• Five Pieces of Advice from an Almost-RHIA
• What Lies Ahead: An Interview with Recent Regis University Graduates

Student Members Have Access to LTC, Coding Newsletters

AHIMA members have access to two specialty e-newsletters, the brand new LTC Insights and the very popular CodeWrite newsletter. Both newsletters can be found in their respective CoPs under the "Community Resources" section. Have you considered working in long term care or coding after graduation? Here is a chance to learn more about long term care or coding as the professionals view it everyday. To access the CoP, log in through myAHIMA.

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In This Issue.

Student Connection e-news—Your Link to the Future

As a student member of AHIMA, there are numerous resources designed to help you make a smooth transition from being a student to a member of the HIM workforce. The Student Connection e-news is just one of those resources and we hope you find it helpful and informative.

Fall is here, classes are in full swing, and the Student Connection e-news is here to serve as a tool for new and returning HIM students. We thought it was only appropriate to highlight a local college that does so much to prepare its students to enter the world of HIM. In this issue, a student at Regis University in Denver, CO, profiles graduates to find out what lies ahead and another student shared his experience working in release of information.

We hope you find this information useful, and as always we want to hear feedback on what else you would like to see in these newsletters. Feel free to send us an e-mail with your thoughts at: studentconnection@ahima.org.

Release of Information and Identity Theft: A Rookie's Experience

by James Sternesky

James Sternesky is an August 2006 graduate of the HIM program at Regis University who plans to take the RHIA exam this fall. He is currently employed at Porter Hospital in Denver, CO.

One year after beginning school I started working in a hospital as a release of information secretary. My first goal was to familiarize myself with HIPAA state and federal regulations about release of information. During this time I received many requests for records as a result of possible identity theft. HIPAA addresses the necessary steps to protect an individual's privacy; however, it does not offer much guidance on what to do when privacy is breached as a result of identity theft or fraud.

As the uninsured population increases, there also is an increase in the number of individuals using false information to obtain medical care. I have experienced an increase in calls from individuals with statements such as: "I received a bill, but I was never at your hospital," or "Someone used my social security number at your hospital, and now I'm receiving the bills."

Searching for the Right Answers

I decided to do some research on this topic and find out as much as I could. As part of my search, I asked an attorney considered to be an expert on release of information issues and HIPAA if records could be released to a person claiming identity theft. I was surprised that the attorney did not know the answer so I queried different professionals in the field. This past May, I attended a very informative identity fraud workshop (presented by Amy Guerra RHIA, and Mary Siegrist RHIA) at the Colorado Health Information Management Association meeting.

At this workshop, I learned that once you know that the records requestor is the "victim," (not the patient), you cannot release protected health information to them. No wonder confusion exists in this area. Lawyers, law enforcement officials, insurance companies, and sometimes even a hospital's own billing departments will tell identity theft victims they must get copies of the records. When an HIM release of information representative correctly refuses to release information, it causes frustration and confusion. My understanding is that the only time records can be released in an identity theft investigation is when the request is accompanied by a judge-signed court order or search warrant. Hospitals need to have processes in place that are both proactive (strategies pertaining to registration, particularly in the emergency room) and reactive (policies concerning HIM department's role when identity theft in alleged).

The Role of HIM

Usually when HIM Departments get involved with an identity theft allegation, the incident occurred weeks or months before. When identity theft is suspected, the first step should be to make sure that it was not caused by simple administrative errors on admission. If no such problem is found, an internal investigation can proceed. Our organization asks the victim to fill out an identity theft affidavit, a four-page document that gathers information about the occurrence and victim. Victims are also required to fill out and sign a patient signature verification sheet and provide a photo ID. We also work closely with emergency room admissions and billing to prevent future abuses.

At the Colorado Health Information Management Association workshop I learned that several Denver hospitals have developed a new approach to this problem that has proven very effective in combating identity theft. When a patient presents in the emergency room with no form of photo ID, they will have their picture and fingerprints taken and added to their chart. This process is legal in the state of Colorado and the photo and prints are admissible as evidence in court. As identity theft continues to increase, HIM professionals will need to familiarize themselves with the issue. I'm looking forward to making some creative contributions in this area as my career progresses.

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Meet an AHIMA Mentor

Name and credentials: Linda Courtney, RHIT

Current position: Director of Health Information Services at Northwest Medical Center, Albany, MO, for the last 10 years

Educational background: Associate Degree in HIM from Missouri Western College in St. Joseph, MO

Years in HIM: 27 years

Current home: Stewartsville, MO

Family info: Married for 35 years, my husband is a nurse. I have two grown children and four grandchildren.

If I weren't an HIM professional, I would be:

A quilting instructor and a quilt appraiser. I currently teach a few quilt classes, but maybe when I retire I can do more of this and get into the appraisal aspect of quilting.

Two words that best describe me:

Hard-working—I believe that each task should be done to the best of my ability.
Happy—I think fun smiles should be the best part of any day.

Did you have a professional mentor?

No—but I had a good friend in the field who was an encouragement.

If you were a student again, what would you have done differently to prepare yourself for your career?

The first time I tried to obtain my degree was through the correspondence program, which proved very difficult with two small children. Our local college finally got a HIM program and I jumped at the chance to be in the classrooms. So, my advice would be to get your education early in life. I was lucky enough to have worked in a medical record department for several years before going to school. Another bit of advice would be to get your foot in the door and try out all different aspects of HIT.

AHIMA Mentors 2006–2007

Sunday Aigboboh, RHIA — CA*
Elizabeth Amara, CCS — PA
Katherine Andersen, RHIT, ACS-OP, CCS, NREMT NE
Janice Balmer, RHIA — IA*
Patty Banton, RHIA — NC*
Elaine Barnett, RHIA, CHP — CO*
Tara Blum, RHIA — IL
Barbara Bosler, MS, RHIA — MI
Keeley Bowman, RHIA — TX*
Diann Brown, MS, RHIA, CHP — TX*
Stacie Buck, CCS-P — FL
Katherine Byrd, RHIA — VA
Molly E. Cahill, MPA, RHIA — MA
Alice Charoonsak, RHIA — OK
Donna Coomes, MBA, RHIA, CCS — TN
Julie Cowher, MA, RHIA, CHC — OH
Dawn Criswell, MS, RHIA — PA
Bridget Doman, RHIA — NY*
Olinka Drones, RHIA — TX
Catherine Egan, CCS — NJ*
Avelina D. Estrada, BSFS, RHIT, CCS, CPC-H — IL
Wanda Faye Feaster, CCS-P — GA
Tara Ferrell, CCS, RHIA — GA
Barbara Fuller, JD, RHIA — MD
Catherine Gates, RHIA, CPC — WA*
Marion Gentual, RHIA, CCS — NJ
Elisa R. Gorton, RHIA — CT*
Julie Hable, MBA, RHIA — WI
Carnell Elizabeth Hall, RHIA — FL
Teresa Hall, MHA, RHIT, CPC — MO
Patience Hoag, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P, CPC — AZ*
Shannon Houser, PhD, MPH, RHIA — AL*
Sandra Jeffar, RHIA, CCS — NY
Michelle Juelfs, RHIT — TN
Diane Kearns, RHIA — IA
Belinda King, CCS-P, CCS, CPC, CPAR — GA
Michelle Kirby, RHIA, CHP — CA*
Linda Lafon, LPN, RHIT — TN*
James R. Lantis Jr. RHIA — GA*
Jennie Larez, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P — CA
Eve-Ellen Mandler, RHIA, MS, CCS — PA
Anissa McBreen, RHIT — OH*
Linda Michael, RHIT, CCS — WA
Lewis New, RHIT — TN
Judy C. Philo, RHIT — FL*
Bryon Pickard, MBA, RHIA — TN*
Susan N. Postal, MBA, RHIA — TN*
Aretha Price RHIT, CCS — TX
Ruby Redfield, RHIA, RN, BSN — OK
Barbara A. Rubin, MEd, RHIA — OK*
Shelley C. Safian, MAOM/HSM, CCS-P, CPC-H, CHA — FL
Susan Tabickman, RHIA — NY*
Elizabeth Taylor, RHIA — CT
Felisa M. Tennant, MIS, RHIA, CCS — IN*
Jennifer Toedte, RHIA — IL
Wanda L. Tunstall, CCS-P, CPC — NJ*
Millie Waggoner, RHIT — WA*
Kathryn Wallace, RHIT — ND
RoseAnn Webb, MNM, RHIA, LHRM — FL
Lou Ann Wiedemann, MS, RHIA — OK
Amanda Witzke, RHIA — WI*
Tamra K. Wood, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P — NV

* Indicates these AHIMA Mentors also mentor new members.

Student Members: Go to the Student CoP for information on how to contact the AHIMA Mentors. Go to the “Community Resources” section and click on "Mentor bios."

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Five Pieces of Advice from an Almost-RHIA

by Grant Landsbach

Grant Landsbach recently completed the HIA program at Regis University and is employed as an applications analyst for Exempla in Wheat Ridge, CO. He is preparing to take the RHIA exam this fall.

Three years ago I began the HIA certificate program at Regis University in Denver, CO. Now I am one internship and an RHIA exam away from completion. I wanted to share my experiences and advice with others who may be embarking on this career.

I received my bachelor's degree in arts management from the University of Colorado in 2000, but despite having some great opportunities, it was not living up to what I wanted in a career. After doing some soul searching, I realized I wanted to work in healthcare. I knew I wanted a challenging career where I could contribute something important, make a difference, and constantly grow. I am happy to report that three years later all my expectations have been met. I am currently an application analyst at Exempla Healthcare Saint Joseph Hospital and Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge, CO.

I wanted to share my experiences with current students in a creative way. Some Regis students use online journals to share insight with prospective students (to hear from other students, visit Regis' journal page). In lieu of a journal, I decided to share the top five lessons I've learned. I hope this information will be helpful to current or future HIM students.

1. Secure an internship or take an HIM position as soon as possible

Even if you are working on your degree, it's imperative to get started in the HIM field by doing something to keep up with what's happening. Almost any HIM position can be beneficial to someone starting out and will expose them to the culture, systems, policies, procedures, and processes they will need to know in the future. Remember that school is crucial, but securing a job is the end game. Your job will also be important as a pathway into the HIM community so networking now is important.

2. Technology happens and so does continuing education

Any current HIA or HIT student is aware that we are in a fast-moving and evolving field being driven by new technology. Regardless of how things were done in the past, we need to continue to look for ways to make health information faster, more accurate, and more secure. While we need to take lessons from the past, we also need to embrace anything new that can help us achieve this ultimate goal. Embracing and understanding new technology helps us to be involved in and shape change—not just react. This means we have to continuously update our skill sets on our own and with the help of AHIMA. Lifelong-learning is a reality—especially in this field.

3. Get involved in professional and educational organizations

Being involved in professional HIM organizations is very important at the national, state, and local levels. In addition to the networking opportunities, involvement allows us to have a voice on issues that concern our profession. Getting involved in educational resources as a student or as an educator is also important. Whether it is with AHIMA's numerous continuing educational programs or with a local school with an HIA or HIT program, this is a direct way to give back to the community and the profession.

4. Don't just react, lead

The image of our profession is important, so correct people when they say you just work in "medical records." I have found it important to educate people on what we do, our skills, and what we bring to the table. This is a critical time for HIM—roles are changing, technology is evolving, and in many departments across the country the lines between IT and HIM are blurring. HIM professionals with traditional knowledge coupled with technical skills have new and interesting opportunities that would not otherwise be available to someone with just one or the other.

5. Remind yourself often of your responsibility

As HIM professionals, every day we will be called on to deal with confidential and sensitive patient information. This is a serious responsibility that we cannot take lightly. Remember, this information belongs to our family members, co-workers, friends, and neighbors. If this knowledge is kept fresh in our minds, no matter what decision we're making—whether it's talking about something we have seen in a record to a coworker, or designing a security system for our EHR—we will inherently have the patient's best interest at heart and our decision will be guided by that which is most important; our responsibility to the patient.

I hope you've enjoyed my experiences and advice. I wish you all the best of luck in the future.

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What Lies Ahead: An Interview with Recent Regis University Graduates

by Stevan Hidalgo

Stevan Hidalgo will be completing his studies in the HIM certificate program at Regis University in Denver, CO, in June 2007. He has 27 years of experience in the medical transcription industry and is pursuing HIM certification as a second career.

Hadley

By now we have all heard the statistic from the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 49 percent increase in the number of HIM workers by 2010. As the electronic health record becomes more commonplace, employment opportunities for HIM professionals will proliferate.

Dufour

To illustrate the various opportunities that are available for new graduates, we recently interviewed three graduates from the Rueckert-Hartman School for Health Professions at Regis University in Denver, CO, to get their perspectives on HIM and the upcoming AHIMA Convention and Exhibit in Denver. Ruth Hadley, CCS, RHIA, is a coding supervisor; Molly Dufour, RHIA, is a HIM supervisor; and Stephanie Allen, RHIA, is a senior applications analyst. Here are their thoughts.

Allen

Question: What has been your biggest benefit from being credentialed?

Hadley: Holding a credential has opened more doors and given me greater opportunities in the field.

Dufour: Credentialing was essential for my current position. Being a part of the state and local HIM professional organizations has allowed me to meet many wonderful people and attend many quality seminars.

Allen: My credential has given me confidence in my abilities along with satisfaction and pride in having completed the program. In addition, AHIMA membership comes with priceless resources.

Question: What one piece of advice do you have for current HIM students?

Hadley: HIM is a continuously growing and changing field; therefore there is a lot of opportunity now to shape the future of the profession and learn new areas. HIM will never go away; it will only continue to grow and change.

Dufour: Current students should think outside of the box when exploring future job opportunities. For example, consider doing your management practicum outside of the traditional HIM setting. It is also important to get involved and volunteer with your state and local chapters of AHIMA.

Allen: Don't be shy about talking with others in the industry. HIM is a collaborative industry and its professionals are very helpful with sharing information.

Question: What do you hope to gain by attending AHIMA's Convention and Exhibit in Denver, CO, this year?

Hadley: I am looking forward to professional enrichment in the form of updates on coding and the HIM field in general. And there are always great networking opportunities.

Dufour: I hope to network and learn more about what other facilities are doing. I am also looking forward to getting ideas on bettering myself as an HIM professional.

Allen: The convention is a great time to earn continuing education credits, visit vendor booths, compare notes, and network. At the last annual Colorado Health Information Management Association meeting, I was fortunate to have won the door prize, which was a fully paid scholarship to the 2006 Convention. So, that is also a bonus for me this year!

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