HIM directors must renew efforts in the new year to ensure the effectiveness of EHR quality monitors. With increased attention on HIPAA 5010 requirements and instituting ICD-10, focusing on the quality of your medical records may sometimes take a backseat to other priorities. However, as inaccurate data tends to affect all areas of HIM-not to mention patient care-taking an active role in developing quality measures will ultimately save time and money in the long run and help ensure quality care for patients. Developing a plan for managing data integrity before issues occur will free up time for HIM staff to focus on other initiatives.
HIPAA and HITECH have resulted in a whole new career for Tom Dumez, CHP. As human resources director at a records management company, Dumez's job in the last few years has taken a new direction-training others how to comply with HIPAA.
