#AHIMACon4: the Exciting Future of HIM by Nancy Twombly

AHIMA 2014 is under way in sunny San Diego, and I'm excited for many reasons. In addition to the sunny weather, beautiful scenery and the opportunity to network with colleagues, I'm excited for all the great possibilities that lie ahead for Health Information Management professionals.

The first day of AHIMA offered some great sessions, and there were some great quotes that truly inspired my excitement for the future of HIM:

Never underestimate the power of a HIM professional . Angela Kennedy's session was very personal - and very inspirational. Her passion and commitment to use all aspects of Personal Health information to improve patient care was timely, relevant, and impactful. In referencing the theme of AHIMA 2013, Dream Big and Believe , Angela stated that she dreams of a day when she doesn't need to answer the question What is HIM . The importance of Health Information is becoming better understood by consumers, and providers are seeing the need to engage and involve HIM in their Information Governance initiatives. This new focus on understanding the breadth of healthcare data that impacts the total picture of patient health is critical to the patient - and to the care provided to them.

Times are changing, and we must navigate that change to drive better decision making . These sound words of advice from Angela Kennedy focused on the new world of Health Information Management. According to Angela, the difference today is that data is electronic, but the policies around data collection, storage, use, and destruction are well understood by the HIM professional - putting HIM in a great position to help lead in the transformation to the new world of Health Information Governance.

We are now moving to a world of HIM without walls . According to Lynn Thomas Gordon, the departmental or silo'd world of today is rapidly changing - driven by electronic information and the breadth of health information used for patient care. The great news for the HIM professional is that this trend enables HIM to bring their skills to a variety of departments and functions in the health system.

Every transition starts with an ending and ends with a beginning . Lynn Thomas Gordon cited this quote from William Bridges, and it has real relevance for HIM Professionals. Transition can be a time of breakthrough. As todays' world of Health Information Management evolves, HIM professionals are in a great place to leverage their deep knowledge of healthcare data and the associated processes and workflows, and take those skills forward in new ways. Lynn's very sound advice to Take Stock, Face Forward, and Dig In , can help those in the HIM function understand their strengths, and enable them to embrace a changing future.

Evolution equals opportunity; and HIM can take a drivers seat . This statement sums up the great opportunity ahead for the HIM professional. Health Information Managers can - and should -have a prominent seat at the table as todays' world evolves. HIM is uniquely positioned to make an impact and accelerate positive change.

As #AHIMACon14 continues, I'm excited to hear more about the exciting possibilities for HIM. Please stop by Iron Mountain Booth #1336 to let us know your thoughts.

LINK:	http://blogs.ironmountain.com/2014/industry/healthcare-information-man...
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