This week marks a celebration of each of you. As Health Information Professionals, we are important players in the healthcare industry.
This year has been incredibly challenging. As HIP front line workers in the pandemic, our responsibility is to be knowledge experts in governing the electronic health record and capturing necessary documentation, charges, and codes. Our clinical counterparts rely on us to keep the medical record available and current so they may safely take care of the patient in addition to themselves as they are rendering services. The organization relies on our knowledge of COVID-19 documentation and reporting guidelines to ensure we are eligible for any available government funding or increased payor reimbursement. Our institution’s financial well-being relies on our ability to ensure patient care and treatment is written in the medical record, captured as charges and documentation, and then translated into a common language to share externally with payors and regulatory agencies. Our Research Institute relies on our data integrity commitment so they may trend information and be leaders in understanding the COVID virus and developing treatment regimens to reduce morbidity and mortality. These are only a few examples of our impact and contribution to healthcare. The list is vast and diverse.
It was difficult to continue our roles in the midst of such uncertainty and adversity, but we stepped forward and continued the amazing work. I am very thankful for each of the HIM professionals. Please take a moment this week to thank a HIP coworker.
–Roshawna Stith, HMSL HIM director
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