Ashford University Disaster Recovery and Code of Ethics Discussion

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AHIMA Code of Ethics

Every profession generally creates their own standards, scope of practices, and code of ethics. While there certainly are similarities there are specifics as well. After all, the HIM profession holds unique knowledge and responsibilities related to our role. You have been introduced to AHIMA already. AHIMA and its sister organization CAHIIM have worked hard to provide us with a listing of our ethical responsibilities.

Purpose of the American Health Information Management Association Code of Ethics

The HIM professional has an obligation to demonstrate actions that reflect values. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Code of Ethics sets forth these principles. (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. These purposes strengthen the HIM professional’s efforts to improve the overall quality of healthcare.

The AHIMA Code of Ethics serves six purposes:

• Promotes high standards of HIM practice.
• Summarizes broad ethical principles that reflect the profession’s core values.
• Establishes a set of ethical principles to be used to guide decision-making and actions.
• Establishes a framework for professional behavior and responsibilities when professional obligations conflict or ethical uncertainties arise.
• Provides ethical principles by which the general public can hold the HIM professional accountable.
• Mentors practitioners new to the field to HIM’s mission, values, and ethical principles.

The code includes principles that are enforceable and aspirational. The extent to which each principle is enforceable is a matter of professional judgment to be exercised by those responsible for reviewing alleged violations of ethical principles. (AHIMA)

Personalize the HIM Code of Ethics.

Include each of the following aspects in the discussion:

• Access the Code of Ethics Document
• Review each of the 13 ethical principles
• Choose one ethical principle that really impacts you (avoid choosing the same as your peers)
• Find the Interpretation that expands your chosen principle toward the bottom
• Discuss why you felt this code was most important to you and your plan to assure to comply with it
• Cite the AHIIMA reference. APA is not required but as always proper grammar, sentence structure and spelling is expected. There is NO copy/pasting. Everything must be in your own words

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EHR Forms

Chapter 6 of your textbook covers a variety of forms. Some of these forms are related to the Patient Self Determination Act (PDSA) of 1990 and include a variety of types of advance directive forms. Others are requirements for audits and tracking tools, and others are related to specific activities such as coding and billing.

Report on a EHR form of your choosing from the text.

Include each of the following aspects in the discussion:

• Choose a form (including advance directives, audits, or tracking) of your choice that is covered in the text
• Locate a scholarly reference that explores your chosen form.
• Attach a copy of the form to the discussion board
• Discuss the purpose and use of the form.
• Ask any questions you have about the form
• Cite the scholarly reference. APA is not required but as always proper grammar, sentence structure, and spelling is expected. There is NO copy/pasting. Everything must be in your own words

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Patients are allowed to access their medical records and can ask that certain information be added or excluded from their file. Providers who include their patients in their medical record keeping foster trust and respect with their patients.

Discuss four purposes of medical records. Based on the four purposes you listed, what could cause a patient to lose trust in the medical clinic? How would you address the issue?