The Community Health Center of Branch County (CHC)’s Medical Records Department is changing their name.  As of January 1, 2012, CHC Medical Records will be called the CHC Health Information Management Department. 

The name change reflects CHC’s position in keeping with the industry standards in securing quality and accuracy in the way health care information is collected, processed, and managed.  These industry changes will ensure improvement in patient care, safety, confidentiality, and privacy.  The changes will also allow CHC to work within the hospital and with other agencies to control the cost of health care. 

Why Health IT?

Health information technology (health IT) makes it possible for health care providers to better manage patient care through secure use and sharing of health information. Health IT includes the use of electronic health records (EHRs) instead of paper medical records to maintain people's health information.

Improving Patient Care

With the help of health IT, health care providers will have:

• Accurate and complete information about a patient's health. That way they can give the best possible care, whether during a routine visit or a medical emergency.
• The ability to better coordinate the care they give. This is especially important if a patient has a serious medical condition.
• A way to securely share information with patients and their family caregivers over the Internet, for patients who opt for this convenience. This means patients and their families can more fully take part in decisions about their health care.
• Information to help doctors diagnose health problems sooner, reduce medical errors, and provide safer care at lower costs.

Improving Our Nation's Health Care System

Widespread use of health IT can also:

• Make our health care system more efficient and reduce paperwork for patients and doctors.
• Expand access to affordable care.
• Build a healthier future for our nation.

In recent months the Health Information Management Department not only managed the change from paper medical records to electronic records, but staff also has the responsibility of safeguarding the confidentiality of protected health information by obtaining proper authorization for disclosure.  Staff collects, analyzes, and reports statistical health information.  The Health Information Management Department works with other departments to develop policies for accurate documentation of health information.  They work with other departments and regulatory agencies to analyze and evaluate the requirement that maximizes reimbursements while providing quality care to the community.  CHC advocates a system to electronically exchange health information in times of emergencies as well as day to day patient care.

The Community Health Center of Branch County is a non-profit acute care hospital providing access to safe, comprehensive, high quality healthcare services and accredited by The Joint Commission.  For more information about CHC, please call the CHC Marketing Department at 517-279-5282 or visit the CHC website at www.chcbc.com or health website at myhealth.chcbc.com.  Join us on Facebook today!