Health information

Health information refers to data related to a person's medical history, including symptoms, diagnoses, procedures, and outcomes. Health information records include patient histories, lab results, x-rays, clinical information, and notes. A patient's health information can be viewed individually, to see how a patient's health has changed; it can also be viewed as a part of a larger data set to understand how a population's health has changed, and how medical interventions can change health outcomes.

Overview

Health information management is the practice of acquiring, analyzing, and protecting digital and traditional medical information vital to providing quality patient care. It is a combination of business, science, and information technology. These professionals care for patients by caring for their medical data. They play a critical role in the delivery of healthcare in the U.S. and around the world.

Health Information Management

Health Information Management (HIM) is a field that involves the management and organization of healthcare data. The professionals in this field ensure that health information is accurate, accessible, and secure in both paper and electronic systems. They are experts in managing patient health information and medical records, administering computer information systems, and coding the diagnoses and procedures for healthcare services provided to patients.

Electronic Health Records

An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart. EHRs are real-time, patient-centered records that make information available instantly and securely to authorized users. EHRs can:

• Include a patient’s medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory and test results.
• Allow access to evidence-based tools that providers can use to make decisions about a patient’s care.
• Automate and streamline provider workflow.

Health Information Exchange

Health Information Exchange (HIE) is the mobilization of health care information electronically across organizations within a region, community or hospital system. In practice the term HIE may also refer to the organization that facilitates the exchange.

See Also

• Health Informatics
• Medical Coding
• Medical Billing
• Health Information Technology
• Electronic Medical Record
• Personal Health Record

References

Health information Resources
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