Code of Ethics, 1957, 1977, 1988, 1998, and 2004, 2011. For example, the statement "safeguard all confidential consumer information to include, but not limited to, personal, health, financial, genetic and outcome information" can also be interpreted as "shall not fail to safeguard all confidential consumer information to include personal, health, financial, genetic, and outcome information.". Allowing patterns of optimizing or minimizing documentation and/or coding to impact payment, Assigning codes without provider documentation, Coding when documentation does not justify the diagnoses or procedures that have been billed, Hiding or ignoring review outcomes, such as performance data, Failing to report licensure status for a provider through the appropriate channels, Recording inaccurate data for accreditation purposes, Allowing inappropriate access to genetic, adoption, health, or behavioral health information, Misusing sensitive information about a competitor, Developing a “record set” that excludes meaningful consumer information to be shared with consumers to protect the health system or specific providers. 13.2. Kathleen M. La Tour and Shirley Eichenwald Maki. Sweden became the first nation to ban aerosol sprays that were thought to damage earth's protective ozone layer. students, staff, peers, or colleagues) where there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to that other person. “Professional Values and the Code of Ethics.” In L. B. Harman (Editor), Ethical Challenges in the Management of Health Information. Information Technology and Moral Philosophy. The 1998 code of ethics included language that supported “striving” to provide professional excellence and accurate and timely information and had eliminated the principle related to refusing to participate in or conceal unethical practices and procedures. A professional HIM code of ethics is shaped by the context of the times, changes in the healthcare system, and the issues faced by the profession and the public at large. Report only those continuing education units actually earned for the recertification cycle and correct any inaccuracies occurring regarding CEUs. Ensure all data and resulting information accessed and derived from healthcare technology resources are not used outside of the scope of the job. She was appointed as the first president of the Association of Record Librarians of North America (ARLNA).4,5 This conference elevated the standards for medical records by addressing the content, availability, and preservation of the medical record.6. 18  Huffman, E. K. Manual for Medical Record Librarians. A code of ethics is developed within the context of the healthcare environment and, at times, world events. Ethics Update: Revisions Strengthen AHIMA's Code of Ethics. A profession develops in the context of the world, not in an isolated silo. Check back for further updates. AHIMA Code of Ethics and AHDI The AHIMA Code of Ethics states that health information professionals have an obligation to safeguard health information and prevent misuse. This pledge was written and read by Grace Whiting Myers at the first annual professional association meeting in Boston as follows: I pledge myself to give out no information from any clinical record placed in my charge, or from any other source to any person whatsoever, except upon order from the chief executive officer of the institution which I may be serving.18. 7th ed. 30  American Health Information Management Association. Britain launched the Motability program to provide cars for disabled people. The Social Security Act of 1935 was passed without a health insurance component. 10.2. An introduction that described the role of the HIM practitioner and the professional association was added. The responsibility to protect privacy was clearly defined in the 1934 pledge. 300 words please In 1913, the American College of Surgeons (ACOS) was founded, and in 1928 the ACOS needed a mechanism to review the surgical work of their fellowship candidates, based on the submission of medical records. It added AHIMA’s mission, guiding principles, and values to the introduction and added a statement indicating that the code of ethics was binding for all who hold an AHIMA credential. 10. Put service and the health and welfare of persons before self-interest and conduct oneself in the practice of the profession so as to bring honor to oneself, peers, and to the health information management profession. It strengthened guidelines to support operations within the professional association and continuing education efforts. Ethical principles such as beneficence, autonomy, justice, and fidelity will be challenged as electronic health information systems evolve. Promote the value of self-determination for each individual. “The College thus realized that some method would have to be devised in their standardization program to provide better medical records for use not only by candidates for fellowship, but also for something much more important—for efficient care of the patient in present and future illnesses, for the medicolegal needs of the hospital, physician and the patient and for use in medical research.”2, The ACOS sought to properly evaluate the work of the surgical candidates for fellowship; hence the need for standardization in record content was identified.3 The ACOS contacted Grace Whiting Myers, librarian emeritus of Massachusetts General Hospital, and she organized the activities for the conference, which was attended by medical librarians from the United States and Canada. The American Health Information Management Association, AHIMA code of ethics is formulated for controlling the ethical behaviors of members and non-members who are obliged to undertake health information management. Respect the rights and dignity of all individuals; Comply with all laws, regulations, and standards governing the practice of health information management; Strive for professional excellence through self-assessment and continuing education; Truthfully and accurately represent professional credentials, education, and experience; Adhere to the vision, mission, and values of the association; Promote and protect the confidentiality and security of health records and health information; Strive to provide accurate and timely information; Promote high standards for health information management practice, education, and research; and. AHIMA's Code of Ethics The Code of Ethics restates what we all know about our obligation to Protect Information Promote Confidentiality Preserve and Secure Health Information Identifies core values on which the HIM mission is based Provides Direction The Code of Ethics is based 11.2. A health information management professional shall not: 4.8. 6  Huffman, E. K. Medical Record Management, 7th ed.,1981, p. 23. An HIM professional is tasked with producing accurate, timely, and responsible reviews of patient health records, protecting that health record, and operating with integrity in all areas of the role assigned. This code of ethics supported promoting the quality of healthcare, advancing medical care, and respecting all healthcare professionals.25, The 1988 code of ethics eliminated the description of the HIM practitioner that was previously included; added the phrase “The Medical Record Professional” at the beginning of each principle; shortened the description of the professional association in the introduction; deleted language related to service, honor, and welfare of patients and inserted the phrases “demonstrates behavior that reflects integrity, objectivity and trust” and “respects dignity of each human being”; added “illegal” and “incompetent” to the language related to the refusal to participate in or conceal unethical actions; deleted the language relating to the reporting of inappropriate behaviors; and changed the language related to the need to “encourage” appropriate use of information and “advocate” for policies and procedures. Identifies core values on which the HIM mission is based. Everyday Ethics: AHIMA Code of Ethics Guides Daily Work, Complex Situations. The first test-tube baby was born in England. 11–15. 13.4. The HIM association was launched by medical librarians (now called medical science librarians) who recognized the importance of the information maintained in medical records. The codes of ethics are examined in terms of professional values and changes in the language used to express the principles of the various codes. 4.9. Table 2 21  Twitty, M. E. “Ethics for Medical Records Library Personnel.” Journal of the American Association of Medical Record Librarians 27, no. The 2011 code of ethics followed the format of the 2004 code and incorporated language to reflect changes in technology, the healthcare system, and association management, and it “provides enhanced steps for reporting individual, unprofessional actions.”31 The full code of ethics is available at www.ahima.org/about/ethicscode.aspx. “Certification Title Name Change of RRA to RHIA and ART to RHIT.” Journal of AHIMA 71, no. 5.2. Guidelines included for each ethical principle are a non-inclusive list of behaviors and situations that can help to clarify the principle. 11.1. Uphold the decisions made by the association. The code used language referring to quality several times in the guiding principles. Claim and ensure that representation to consumers, agencies, and the public of professional qualifications, credentials, education, competence, affiliations, services provided, training, certification, consultation received, supervised experience, and other relevant professional experience are accurate. Take precautions to ensure and maintain the confidentiality of information transmitted, transferred, or disposed of in the event of termination, incapacitation, or death of a healthcare provider to other parties through the use of any media. Professional responsibilities often require an individual to move beyond personal values. Mentors practitioners new to the field to HIM's mission, values, and ethical principles. The code also added a principle related to the protection of secondary records, the right to privacy of medical and social information, and the reporting of breaches to a professional ethics committee. These purposes strengthen the HIM professional’s efforts to improve overall quality of healthcare. Contribute time and professional expertise to activities that promote respect for the value, integrity, and competence of the health information management profession. Historical Environment of the Codes of Ethics. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is the premier association of health information management (HIM) professionals worldwide. Purpose of the American Health Information Management Association Code of Ethics. Health Information Management Association’s (AHIMA’s) Code of Ethics and the Standards for Ethical Coding. Major privacy and security legislation, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), was enacted in 1996. Some highlights of this code of ethics include the following principles: The 1977 code of ethics highlighted service to the professional organization by placing this principle first in the code. Cost containment in healthcare became a focus. Bylaws Amended, October 1994; Code of Ethics Amended, 1991  Unknown author ( American Health Information Management Association , 1996-01 ) (See also AHIMA Mission, Vision, Values) The code is relevant to all AHIMA members, non-members with the Commission on Certification for Health Informatics and Information Management (CCHIIM) certifications, and students enrolled in a formal certificate or degree granting program directly relevant to AHIMA’s Purpose regardless of their professional functions, the settings in which they work, or the populations they serve. 9.3. Establishes a set of ethical principles to be used to guide decision-making and actions. It included a reference to the professional ethics committee’s policies and procedures to help navigate issues that may include potential ethics violations, and it encouraged all members to actively recruit and mentor students, peers, and colleagues. 7.3. The Pledge of the American Association of Medical Record Librarians, written in 1934, incorporated values and professional practice standards that carried forward to future codes of ethics. Participate in and contribute to decisions that affect the well-being of consumers by drawing on the perspectives, values, and experiences of those involved in decisions related to consumers. Check back for further updates. Verify requests for data and information are based on appropriate, verifiable needs and conditions and fall within the confines of organizational policies, regulations, and laws. 11.3. “Code of Ethics.” 2011. Although in some situations, violations of the code would constitute unlawful conduct subject to legal process. The 1930s was marked by the Depression, unemployment, and a lack of healthcare coverage. In 2009, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, part of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), included provisions to advance the use of health information technology by including privacy, security, and electronic health record incentives. “Ethical Issues and the Electronic Health Record.” Health Care Manager 27, no. Engage in social and political action that supports the protection of privacy and confidentiality and be aware of the impact of the political arena on the health information issues for the healthcare industry and the public. Adherence to AHIMA Code of Ethics ... Adherence to AHIMA Code of Ethics/Professionalism The new HIM director recently relocated from another state. 2 (February 2012): 40. Protect the confidentiality of all information obtained in the course of professional service. Participate in, condone, or be associated with dishonesty, fraud and abuse, or deception. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett, 2006, pp. “As the founders of AHIMA recognized, the profession requires information management expertise, courage, and ethics—today more than ever. This criterion requires the professional to consider values that are beyond the personal and to take into account the values and perspectives of others who are involved. Her position is critical for accurate reimbursement from payors and must clearly reflect the care given. Such determination can only be made in the context of legal and judicial proceedings. In 2003, the government implemented the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). Stay In Touch; Contact Us; Media & PR; Work at AHIMA; Professional Practice Experience; CAHIIM Following the creation of the professional association in 1928, an ethical pledge was written in 1934 to guide professional behaviors. 3.3. In terms of accuracy, AHIMA’s ethical standards require honest reporting of medical records to accurately reflect the work performed by a provider. 3.1. 4th ed.,1960, p. 22. Use healthcare employer technology resources within the confines of organizational policies. Take unfair advantage of any professional relationship or exploit others to further one’s own personal, religious, political, or business interests. AHIMA. Clifton Park, NY: Cengage Learning; 2014. Consult with a colleague when feasible and assist the colleague in taking remedial action when there is direct knowledge of a health information management colleague's incompetence or impairment. 1957. Beginning in 1994, a series of Physicians at Teaching Hospitals (PATH) Audits were conducted by the federal government to investigate improper billing by teaching hospitals and physicians. 34 Lennick, D., and F. Kiel. Related Content. Establishes a framework for professional behavior and responsibilities when professional obligations conflict or ethical uncertainties arise. For example, for Principle II (“Put service and the health and welfare of persons before self-interest and conduct themselves in the practice of the profession so as to bring honor to themselves, their peers, and to the health information management profession”), the code included that HIM professionals shall “act with integrity, behave in a trustworthy manner, elevate service to others above self-interest, and promote high standards of practice in every setting” and shall not “take unfair advantage of any professional relationship or exploit others to further their personal, religious, political, or business interests.”30 The preamble, values, and statements related to ethical behaviors attested to the power of the individual to make a difference. In addition to the resequencing of the principle statements to put service to the association first, two additional principles related to the association were added. A profession develops in the context of the world, not in an isolated silo. Finally, breaches in the electronic health record can destroy the principle of fidelity.33, Moral intelligence is also important for understanding the complexity of the issues that are faced.34 There is an increased understanding that technological systems require moral guidance in design and application. 8.1. 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