Electronic Health Records (EHR) Implementation

HIM Professionals and EHR Implementation

Originally founded in 1928 to improve the quality of medical records, AHIMA has always been at the forefront of practices and technologies that create a better healthcare environment through better health information management. Perhaps the single biggest factor in the progression of health information exchange is in continued Electronic Health Records (EHR) implementation.

EHR implementation leverages the speed and efficiency of integrated computer networks to maintain, relay, and manage medical records. The benefits of EHR implementation are numerous and far-reaching. In terms of billing and reimbursement, all involved parties have quicker and simultaneous access to necessary medical records.

The greater implication of continued EHR implementation is in patient care. The automated advantages afforded by EHR implementation allow physicians, nurses, and even patients greater access to important medical records. This can be especially beneficial in instances when time is a factor or when the most qualified specialists are located in other regions. Further, while following HIPAA guidelines regarding privacy and confidentiality in healthcare, EHR implementation allows the health information exchange necessary for analyzing trends in public health. As such, EHR implementation can aid in the creation of practices and policies that can elevate an overall level of community health while simultaneously reducing costs.

Dedicated to electronic health information management (e-HIM), AHIMA offers a comprehensive set of e-HIM® Practice Guidelines for AHIMA members and non-members alike. These guidelines offer extensive articles related to EHR and EHR implementation. Some examples include:

• Guidelines for EHR Documentation to Prevent Fraud
• The Role of the Personal Health Record in the EHR
• The Complete Medical Record in a Hybrid EHR Environment
• Electronic Document Management as a Component of the Electronic Health Record

Online EHR courses

Representing more than 50,000 HIM professionals, AHIMA feels a dedicated responsibility to make available educational resources to help improve health information exchange through EHR implementation. AHIMA's web-based courses allow you to work at your own pace, so you can gain knowledge for your professional life in a way that also accommodates your personal life.

As another valuable resource, the AHIMA online bookstore provides books, audio seminars, journal articles, and additional resources that cover many different facets of EHR implementation.