HIM Briefings

Q. We are a claims repricer and maintain a secure claims department. When outside vendors, such as building maintenance people, enter the secure area, are they required to sign a logbook indicating what time and date they entered and exited the claims department?

This article is based on the results of HCPro's annual MRB salary survey. Data in this article represent the responses of 292 HIM professionals from hospitals in the following categories:

In this column, we often discuss challenges with EHR systems. Sometimes these relate to technical problems, other times they are process related, and occasionally-as we'll be doing in this issue-we talk about the need for effective "people management."

As the healthcare industry moves toward adoption of EHRs, facilities need structured data entry capabilities to realize increased efficiency in completing medical records and maintaining documentation integrity.

Chasing down information on incomplete records can be overwhelming and a lost cause. What do you do when a medical record is incomplete 30 days after discharge (or 14 in California’s case) and thus does not meet regulatory standards?

It was a gorgeous afternoon and a perfect day to hold an outdoor summer barbecue for the HIM department at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska.

Q. If an organization’s human resources officer is also the plan administrator for the organization’s group health plan (self-insured), does that individual have the right under HIPAA to access records of high-dollar pharmacy/medical claims for the purpose of targeting the insured for wellness programs or other alternative treatment plans?

Medical Records Briefing catches up on computer-assisted coding (CAC) with Deloris ­Farthing, RHIA, CHDA, director of HIM for Hays (Kan.) Medical Center.