HIMA499Capstoneproject.pdf

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The Value of Health Information in Patient Care Improvement

Jennifer Rascon 5868619

American Public University

COURSE HIMA 499: Senior Seminar

Professor Kris Hancke

Feb 19, 2022

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Table of Contents

Page

Project Title 3

Project Description 3

Project Statement 3

Project Objectives 3

Project Design Plan 3

Project Research Plan 4

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Project title

The Value of Health Information in Patient Care Improvement

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Abstract

The abundance of healthcare data and information collected within a healthcare organization is

valuable in the application of and improving patient care, organizational decision making, and

containing costs. The objective of this paper is to first identify the most up-to-date standards and

best practices in health information management using guidance from well-established and

recognized organizations such as AHIMA, CMS, and HIMSS to improve patient care. Secondly,

identify the role health information management plays in organizational decision making in

regard to process improvement to include using specific metrics, benchmarking, best practices

used and outcomes in delivering safe patient care. And third, discuss how risk mitigation and

patient safety programs can contain and reduce organizational cost as well as improve patient

healthcare. This can be accomplished through technologies and programs that are already

incorporated within the organization's infrastructure using quality data collection, data entry

methods, analysis, and reporting. Patient and organizational data and information can then be

presented to high level stakeholders, leadership, and management in combination with industry

standards to determine and best prioritize organizational opportunities for improvements.

Organization decision makers can then evaluate project proposals that would provide the best

results driven improvements. As a result, healthcare data can significantly improve patient

outcomes, quality of care, and risk mitigation practices.

Keyword: Healthcare management, organizational, data, benchmarking, process improvement,

patient care

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Project Statement

The abundance of healthcare data and information collected within a healthcare

organization is valuable in the application of and improving patient care, organizational decision

making, and containing costs.

Objectives

Provide accurate and efficient methods for organizations to use healthcare data to

improve patient care, decision making, and containing costs.

A. Identify standards and methods for data collection

B. Identify health information role in organizational decision making

C. Describe the use of data for risk mitigation

D. Discuss evidence that data management improves patient care outcomes, quality of care, and

reduce costs to organizations.

The proper management of health information is a fundamental element to providing

comprehensive medical planning and treatment in patient care. In 2011, The Centers for

Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) initiated a program called the Electronic Health Records

Incentive Plan in an effort to incentivize the use of health information management for

meaningful use (Promoting interoperability programs, 2023) and quality care. Meaningful use

requires the use of certified EHR’s to support interoperability, data sharing, and data capture,

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which enhances care coordination, efficiency, and safety in patient health settings. Agencies

such as American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and Health

Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) are recognized organizations that provide

guidelines and best practices in the use of health information and technology.