FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 11, 2009

An Official AHIMA Statement Attributable to:                   

Linda L. Kloss, AHIMA Chief Executive Officer

AHIMA Supports National Priority Partnership Priorities and Goals

CHICAGO—“The American Health Information Management Association has long dedicated itself to improved healthcare quality through the advancement of best practices and standards in the management of patient health information.  It is in this tradition that AHIMA endorses the National Priorities Partnership initiative to target reforms and address four major challenges facing America’s healthcare delivery system: the elimination of harm, eradication of disparities, reduction in the burden of disease and removal of waste in the pursuit of effective and affordable care.

“As a diverse coalition of 28 partner organizations representing key public and private healthcare stakeholders, the National Priorities Partnership was convened by the National Quality Forum. AHIMA is a proud supporter of the NPP, sharing its commitment to transform our nation’s healthcare system from the inside out, with a vision of world class, affordable healthcare.

“Although the goals set by the NPP are ambitious, the path defined will be continuously monitored and evaluated to ensure that the industry is on track to deliver safer, more affordable, and effective care.

“The goal of effective health information management is to provide quality healthcare to the public. AHIMA supports initiatives aimed at gaining consensus on essential data and documentation standards that are a prerequisite for high quality data in the healthcare system of the future.”

For more information about the National Priorities Partnership, visit http://www.nationalprioritiespartnership.org.