The assembly and analysis of discharged patient records is an important task that medical environments, such as hospitals and medical offices, require. This task is called “health information management” (HIM). Health information management is the procedures and practice of collecting, managing, and protecting patient information and records. HIM professionals help ensure the accuracy of patient data and ensure that such data remains secure.

The collected data is then used to compile the patient’s medical history and for future healthcare decisions. This process is performed by HIM professionals who specialize in the organization and analysis of patient data. HIM professionals must be knowledgeable in various areas such as healthcare operations, information technology, coding and billing, and privacy and security laws.

HIM professionals are responsible for several tasks, such as gathering, verifying, classifying, storing, safeguarding, and retrieving patient information. In addition, they are responsible for creating detailed reports from patient data, which can be used to track the quality of care provided by healthcare providers, identify trends, and monitor patient safety.

Due to their importance in healthcare, HIM professionals are in high-demand. A degree or certification in HIM is not only beneficial for one’s career, it is also beneficial for the success of the entire healthcare industry.