http://journal.ahima.org The Journal of AHIMA is published monthly by the American Health Information Management Association Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:18:52 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The July feature article takes a look at how HIM professionals have integrated POA reporting into their workflow processes and reporting requirements over the past two years. Other features report on the use of ICD-10 for mortality coding, how to make the most of external coding audits, and the benefits of standards development ... http://journal.ahima.org/2009/07/01/journal-of-ahima-july-2009/ AHIMA representatives to the World Health Organization participate in the development and maintenance of classifications that create consistent data worldwide. In the July print edition, Sue Bowman and Rita Scichilone describe three work groups on which they serve. This online version of the story includes additional information on each group’s ... http://journal.ahima.org/2009/07/01/classifications-without-borders/ Published in the July Journal, the 2009 Coding Guide is a special advertising section that promotes coding software, products, and services.  The Journal of AHIMA publishes four Buyers Guides a year: Consulting/Outsourcing (February), Transcription (April), Coding (July), and Software and Health IT (September). Click on the image to view the guide http://journal.ahima.org/2009/07/01/2009-coding-guide/ ONC released a draft definition for the “meaningful use” of EHRs today, prepared by a workgroup of the Health IT Policy Committee. The definition will in part determine which providers are eligible to receive incentive payments for the use of health IT under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Providers who ... http://journal.ahima.org/2009/06/16/onc-releases-meaningful-use-draft-definition/ The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act calls for the creation of regional health IT extension centers that help providers adopt and use health IT such as electronic health records. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT published a draft description of the program May 28, requesting comments by ... http://journal.ahima.org/2009/06/16/core-services-to-support-the-ehr-lifecycle/ AHIMA expressed support for a federal program establishing regional health IT extension centers that assist providers, but it registered concern that a program implemented ineffectively would cause confusion and contention and ultimately distract from the goal of EHR adoption and implementation. AHIMA’s comments were in response to a draft description of ... http://journal.ahima.org/2009/06/15/more-clarity-consideration-needed-for-hit-extension-centers/ The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) hopes to start Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) automated reviews in late June and July, with more complex reviews rolling out later, according to a May 29 Health Leaders report. CMS expects to begin certain complex reviews like coding and DRG validation this ... http://journal.ahima.org/2009/06/15/racs-to-begin-with-automated-reviews/ The HISPC summary report on the work of its final phase is out. Styled an “action and implementation manual,” it presents the work of the privacy and security group’s year-long third phase. In addition to the summary report, the seven subgroups that comprise the collaboration are presenting their work through free ... http://journal.ahima.org/2009/06/08/hispc-concludes-with-action-manual-webinars/ Can health IT help reduce disparities in quality of care caused by racial and ethnic differences, geographic isolation, poverty, and low health literacy and consumer involvement? Authors of a new Journal web-exclusive story discuss the potential of personal health records to mitigate healthcare disparities. HIM professionals can play four important roles, ... http://journal.ahima.org/2009/06/05/reducing-healthcare-disparities-phrs/ "Present on admission indicators, hospital-acquired conditions, serious reportable events, and ‘wrong’ surgical events are each hot topics,” write the authors of a “Coding Notes” column in this month’s print issue. “However, they also can be a hot topic together, because a number of these reporting requirements are interrelated.” Jane Cook, Cheryl ... http://journal.ahima.org/2009/06/02/understanding-national-coverage-policies/