Health informatics
the study of computers and information technology in health care; deal with all the information that is kept about a patient, such as a patient's medical history, diagnosis, and laboratory results.
Information technology (IT)
the study of computerized technology related to the storing, accessing, and use of information.
Which of the following describes workers in health informatics careers?
they handle patient information
Which of the following statements show interest in a health informatics career? Check all of the boxes that apply.
-"I enjoy working with information and data."
-"I want a job that depends on computers."
-"I am looking for a career that has flexibility.
Electronic medical records, also called EMRs
electronic medical files that are stored in, and accessed through, computers. They contain the same patient information as charts, such as lab results, health history data, and doctor notes, but without the paper.
medical records clerk
manages the important patient documents that must be stored in the electronic medical file. This is done by uploading, scanning, and organizing electronic documents. In order for these tasks to be performed, medical records clerks must have excellent comp
dictation
record observations by speaking into an audio recording device, in a process known as this
Medical transcriptionists
people who transcribe, or convert, doctors's audio recordings into written documents so they can be filed in the patient's medical record. The medical transcriptionist listens to the recording and writes down everything the doctor says, without making any
medical coder
assigns codes to patient diagnoses and procedures on official medical documents. Medical coders must pay close attention to detail, so that each diagnosis and procedure is coded correctly.
Which health informatics career is characterized by a worker having to scan and upload electronic patient medical files?
medical records clerk
Which of the following tasks is a medical coder most likely to perform?
assigning codes to diagnoses
cancer registry
an electronic database that contains facts and information about cancer.
cancer registrars
collect, analyze, manage, and monitor the cancer registry data. Becoming a cancer registrar requires expert knowledge about cancer, how to collect data, and how to operate the cancer computer programs and systems.
clinical information system (CIS)
an electronic database that stores important healthcare information, such as information about how many patients a hospital has or how many people were treated for the flu in a given month.
CIS specialists
must have the following skills:
-Data entry
-Data management
-Ability to generate reports
-Knowledge of software systems and applications
health information administrators
who oversee health informatics issues that come up in the workplace, such as computer system crashes or the roll-out of new software. Health information administrators must have a broad range of knowledge of EMRs and CISs.
Given Craig's qualities and goals, which health informatics career would be a good fit for him?
health information administrator
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
an organization that offers various certifications for health informatics careers. To receive certification, people must take and pass the certifications exams that are offered at the end of the programs.
CHPS: Certified in Health Care Privacy and Security
Focuses on privacy and security related to sensitive patient and healthcare information; obtained from the AHIMA
CHDA: Certified Health Data Analyst
Focuses on information analysis specifically with electronic health records; obtained from the AHIMA
CCS-P: Certified Coding Specialist - Physician Based
For coding practitioners specializing in physician based settings; obtained from the AHIMA
CCS: Certified Coding Specialist
For coding practitioners specializing in hospital practice settings; obtained from the AHIMA
RHIT: Registered Health Information Technician
Focuses on managing electronic patient data and medical records; obtained from the AHIMA
Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) certification
-First level of certification for medical transcriptionists
-Certifies that a person has the essential skills and knowledge to work as a medical transcriptionist
Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) certification
-For medical transcriptionists who already have their RTM certifications and wish to advance to the next professional level
-Certifies expert knowledge in medical transcription work
Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) offers two types of professional certifications:
-Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) certification
-Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) certification
If you were interested in medical coding and working specifically with hospitals, which certification might you pursue?
CCS
What does it mean if you get your CMT certification?
You have shown advanced knowledge in medical transcription.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
a federal act that establishes privacy, confidentiality, and security laws that all healthcare providers and organizations must follow when it comes to handling, sharing, and storing patient information.
HIPAA security policies related to EMRs include:
-Password protecting computers
-Only accessing patient information from authorized computer devices (not smartphones or personal laptops)
-Giving limited access to patient information to some healthcare employees
--For instance, a medical records clerk mi
Which of the following are examples of following HIPAA security policies for EMRs? Check all of the boxes that apply.
-password protecting your computer
-researching patient information only from an authorized work computer
What is the most appropriate way to handle this situation, according to HIPAA?
Amelia should keep the information to herself to respect her neighbor's privacy.
If you develop a report on a hospital's total patient count, you are a ________.
CIS specialist
If you organize the files in a patient's chart, you might be working as a ________.
medical records clerk
If you are managing other informatics staff, you are probably a _______.
health information administrator
Which of the following best describes the job characteristics of a medical transcriptionist?
converts doctors' recordings into documents
Which of the following best describes the job characteristics of a medical coder?
assigns codes to procedures
Why would somebody go into the field of health informatics?
to follow an interest in computers and healthcare information
If you want a career in health informatics, what must you be skilled at doing?
analysis and detail-orientated work
Which of the following are true statements about pathways to careers in informatics? Check all of the boxes that apply.
-Each career has its own educational requirements.
-All health informatics careers involve handling patient information.
If you wanted to become a medical coder, which of the following would be helpful steps toward this career pathway? Check all of the boxes that apply.
-computer training
-certification
-postsecondary training programs
The _________ is the organization responsible for offering a variety of certification programs.
American Health Information Management Association
If you were interested in getting a first-level certification for a career as a medical transcriptionist, you would get your ____________ certification.
Registered Medical Transcriptionist
If you wanted to get a certification that focuses on managing electronic patient data and medical records, you would get your ____________ certification.
Registered Health Information Technician
A _______ is the appropriate certification if you are interested in a career that focuses on patient privacy and security.
CHPS
Which of the following are important reasons for keeping patient health information private? Check all of the boxes that apply.
-The personal nature of health information must be respected.
-Workers must follow healthcare privacy and confidentiality laws.
Which statements below accurately explain health information privacy? Check all of the boxes that apply.
-Health information privacy is a form of keeping patient information secure.
-Health information privacy means not misusing patient information.
What are some ways to describe EMRs? Check all of the boxes that apply.
-EMRs store the same information that you would find in a paper filing system.
-EMRs contain documents that can be scanned and uploaded by medical records clerks.
Under patient privacy laws, from which devices are you not allowed to access EMRs? Check all of the boxes that apply.
-cell phones
-home laptops
-tablet computers
HIPAA stands for _____________________.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
The main purpose of HIPAA is to __________ patient files.
secure
HIPAA is a _______ act.
federal