Journal of AHIMA - June 2012

JOURNAL AHIMA OF

The Journal of AHIMA is an official publication of AHIMA

AHIMA CEO
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
STAFF WRITER
ASSISTANT EDITOR/ADVERTISING MANAGER
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Lynne Thomas Gordon, MBA, RHIA, FACHE
Anne Zender, MA
Chris Dimick
Sarah Sheber
Garrett Bonistalli
Janie Batres, RHIT, CCS
Sue Bowman, RHIA, CCS
Jill Clark, MBA, RHIA
Angie Comfort, RHIT, CCS
Kathy DeVault, RHIA, CCS
Angela Dinh, MHA, RHIA, CHPS
Julie Dooling, RHIT
Melanie Endicott, MBA/HCM, RHIA, CCS,
CCS-P
Jewelle Hicks
Karen Kostick, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P
Harry Rhodes, MBA, RHIA, CHPS
Theresa Rihanek, RHIA, CCS
Rita Scichilone, MHSA, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P
Diana Warner, MS, RHIA, CHPS, FAHIMA
Lydia Washington, MS, RHIA
Lou Ann Wiedemann, MS, RHIA, CPEHR,
FAHIMA
Jill A. Blacketer
Linda Belli, RHIA
Gerry Berenholz, RHIA, MPH
Carol A. Campbell, DBA, RHIA
Rose T. Dunn, CPA, RHIA, FACHE
Sheri Hutchins, MA, RHIA, CCS
Teri Jorwic, RHIA, CCS
Diane A. Kriewall, RHIA
Frances Wickham Lee, DBA, RHIA
Glenda Lyle, RHIA
Susan R. Mitchell, RHIA
Daniel J. Pothen, MS, RHIA
Cheryl Tabatabai Stachura, RHIA
Tricia Truscott, MBA, RHIA, CHP
Carolyn R. Valo, MS, RHIT, FAHIMA
Valerie Watzlaf, PhD, RHIA, FAHIMA

ADVER TISING REPRESENTATIVES
Network Media Partners
Jeff Rhodes
(410) 584-1940; Fax: (410) 584-8353
jrhodes@networkmediapartners.com
Brittany Sullivan
(410) 584-1941; Fax: (410) 316-9865
bsullivan@networkmediapartners.com
AHIMA OFFICES
233 N. Michigan Ave., 21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60601-5800
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Washington, DC 20036
(202) 659-9440; Fax: (202) 659-9422

AHIMA ONLINE: www.ahima.org JOURNAL OF AHIMA: journal@ahima.org

JOURNAL OF AHIMA MISSION

The Journal of AHIMA serves as a professional development tool for health information managers. It keeps its readers current on issues that affect the practice of health information management. Furthermore, the Journal contributes to the field by publishing work that disseminates best practices and presents new knowledge. Articles are grounded in experience or applied research, and they represent the diversity of health information management roles and healthcare settings. Finally, the Journal contains news on the work of the American Health Information Management Association.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education ( www.cahiim.org) accredits degree-granting programs at the associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degree levels.

AHIMA recognizes coding certificate programs approved by the Approval Committee for Certificate Programs. For a complete list of AHIMA-approved coding programs and HIM career pathways go to www.hicareers.com.

Journal of AHIMA (ISSN 1060-5487) is published monthly, except for the combined issue of November/December, by the American Health Information Management Association, 233 North Michigan Avenue, 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60601-5800. Subscription Rates: Included in AHIMA membership dues is a subscription to the Journal. The annual member subscription rate is $15.00 for active and graduate members, and $7.50 for student members. Subscription for nonmembers is $100 (domestic), $110 (Canada), $120 (all other outside the U.S.). Postmaster: Send address changes to Journal of AHIMA, AHIMA, 233 North Michigan Avenue, 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60601-5800. Notification of address change must be made six weeks in advance, including old and new address with zip code. Periodical’s postage is paid in Chicago, IL, and additional mailing offices.

Notice of Policy

Editorial—views expressed in articles contributed to the Journal of AHIMA are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the policies and opinions of the Association, editorial review board, or staff. Articles are not to be construed as endorsing any particular product or service. Advertising—products, services, and educational institutions advertised in the Journal do not imply endorsement by the Association.