• Fall 2019 Introduction

    2019 Fall

    The Fall 2019 issue of AHIMA’s research journal, Perspectives in Health Information Management, is now available. This issue’s articles explore a range of topics, from electronic health records (EHRs) to patient satisfaction rates and HIM process workflows.

    While some doctors continue to be apprehensive about their role in providing accurate and concise electronic health records—records that are beneficial to both patient and provider—a pair of recent studies suggests a hopeful future. “Moving from Quality Measurement to Quality Improvement: Applying Meaningful Use Lessons to the Quality Payment Program” is a summary of the first study, which is an extensive collection of information from physicians and staffers at numerous medical practices. The collected information was then used to suggest ways to collect and use EHR data to measure and improve patient care and reduce staff dissatisfaction, all geared toward improving each practice’s standing with the federal Quality Payment Program.

Fall 2019 Issue

  • Moving from Quality Measurement to Quality Improvement: Applying Meaningful Use Lessons to the Quality Payment Program

    2019 Fall

    Although the federal electronic health record (EHR) incentive program has ended, the need to effectively implement and use EHRs has not. The advent of the federal Quality Payment Program has made effective use of EHRs more critical than ever, especially for clinical quality measurement and improvement. However, practices continue to face challenges in successfully implementing and using EHRs to achieve these aims. We used a multiple case study approach to understand how physician practices were using EHR data to measure and improve quality.

  • Why Residency Programs Should Not Ignore the Electronic Heath Record after Adoption

    2019 Fall

    During residency training, one of the tools residents learn to use is the electronic health record (EHR). The EHR contains up-to-date medical data that are crucial to the care of the patient; thus the provider must know what is pertinent, where to locate it, and how to efficiently document the data for ongoing communication of patient care. Because institutions may have different EHR vendors, EHR workflow study data are often obtained in single institutions, with a limited number of participants and specialties.

  • Use of Technology in the Management of Obesity: A Literature Review

    2019 Fall

    Technology is intended to assist with diagnosing, treating, and monitoring patients remotely. Little is known of its impact on health outcomes or how it is used for obesity management. This study reviewed the literature to identify the different types of technologies used for obesity management and their outcomes.

  • Drowning in Data: Workflow Changes Improve the Collection of Clinically Relevant and Actionable Data

    2019 Fall

    The implantable loop recorder is valuable for recording and evaluating clinically relevant arrhythmias. Devices with wireless capabilities are programmed to automatically transmit data to a secure website for retrieval by cardiology staff. However, increased data review time, memory saturation, and overwriting of true arrhythmia episodes can result unless alerts are programmed to appropriately detect meaningful (or actionable) cardiac data.

  • Developing and Implementing Health Information Management Document Imaging Productivity Standards: A Case Study from an Acute Care Community Hospital

    2019 Fall

    As health information management (HIM) shifts from paper-based medical records to electronic medical documentation, HIM professionals must appropriately manage their resources to produce higher results for their organization’s operational and financial indicators. This case study highlights the experience of the HIM department in a small Florida community hospital in analyzing existing productivity standards and developing new standards with the purpose of improving the document imaging process.