Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): Health Information Management

Health information management (HIM) is the practice of acquiring, analyzing, and protecting digital and traditional medical information vital to providing quality patient care. It is a combination of technology, management and clinical practice that’s focused on the effective use of patient healthcare information.

The role of HIM professionals includes managing electronic health records (EHRs), coding diagnoses and procedures for billing and insurance purposes, and maintaining patient confidentiality and security. They also help ensure the completeness, accuracy, and accessibility of patient information, and assist with the analysis and reporting of data for quality improvement and research.

HIM professionals use a variety of tools and technologies to manage health information, including EHR systems, data analytics software, and classification systems such as ICD-10 and CPT codes. They also stay current with legal and regulatory requirements related to health information, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

HIM professionals can be found in a variety of settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, consulting firms, insurance companies, and government agencies. They can hold different roles such as health information technicians, medical coders, health information administrators and privacy officers.