HIM Transitions : Health Information Management

Thankful

Carol Dantzler-Harris, MEd, RHIA, CPC — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:19:00 GMT

As we approach another Thanksgiving, this is the time of year to reflect on the things I am truly thankful for. I am thankful to be in excellent health when so many suffer from chronic medical conditions or life-threatening illnesses. With so many Americans...(read more)

HI&T Week

Carol Dantzler-Harris, MEd, RHIA, CPC — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:36:00 GMT

November is not only the start of the holiday season, but also the time of year when HIM professionals celebrate Health Information and Technology (HI&T) Week. This is our week to pat ourselves on the back and celebrate the achievements made during...(read more)

HIT Jobs in High Demand

Carol Dantzler-Harris, MEd, RHIA, CPC — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:08:00 GMT

The introductory course I teach in health information technology (HIT) gives students the basics on health information. This week I did a lecture on the diversity of career options available in HIT. Students coming into the program are usually familiar...(read more)

Stress Management

Carol Dantzler-Harris, MEd, RHIA, CPC — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:16:00 GMT

My daughter transferred to a new school this year. She had no interest in transferring to this school, but like all parents I overruled her objections so she can be prepared to compete in the highly competitive world we live in. The curriculum at the...(read more)

The Virtual Lab

Carol Dantzler-Harris, MEd, RHIA, CPC — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:03:00 GMT

I have been learning how to use the American Health Information Management Association virtual lab applications for the HIT program. The virtual lab simulates various HIM functions, such as release of information, master patient index (MPI), chart deficiencies...(read more)

ICD-10 Anxiety

Carol Dantzler-Harris, MEd, RHIA, CPC — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:34:00 GMT

I try to attend coding updates annually, and I always learn something new. I attended a workshop this week on the 2010 ICD-9 changes. The amount of information is just mind-boggling. It is a good thing I don't have to perform coding for a living. The...(read more)

Fall into the Season

Carol Dantzler-Harris, MEd, RHIA, CPC — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:17:00 GMT

Next week marks the beginning of the fall semester at the community college where I teach in the medical assisting program. I am looking forward to meeting new students and getting back in front of the class. It's such a good feeling to see these excited...(read more)

Wal-Mart and the Electronic Medical Record

Carol Dantzler-Harris, MEd, RHIA, CPC — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:21:00 GMT

I attended a workshop this past week on the implementation of the electronic medical record (EMR). The cost of implementation of an EMR can be out of reach for many rural hospitals and small physician practices. One vendor is filling the gap for physician...(read more)

Reaping the Rewards

Carol Dantzler-Harris, MEd, RHIA, CPC — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:57:00 GMT

I have often discussed why I switched careers and went into education. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of students by sharing what I have learned over my 20 years in health information. Today, I learned how I impacted the life of a student...(read more)

Honey, Is There Something Wrong?

Carol Dantzler-Harris, MEd, RHIA, CPC — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:34:00 GMT

My husband was on his way out of town this weekend. As he was getting ready for the trip early Friday morning, I made my trek to the bathroom. It was around 5 a.m. and I was still in a zombie state when my husband asked, "Is everything all right?" I hesitated...(read more)

Technology in the Classroom

Carol Dantzler-Harris, MEd, RHIA, CPC — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:11:00 GMT

The online teaching environment requires the use of techniques to enhance the learning experience for students. It is easy for students to get bored with the material being presented during class. Unlike the traditional classroom I cannot see that some...(read more)

Social Networking

Carol Dantzler-Harris, MEd, RHIA, CPC — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:46:00 GMT

The number of social networking sites continues to grow. I must admit that I have never been a social butterfly and for most of my life I have been painfully shy. I am not sure how this occurred because of come from a family of six children. I was the...(read more)

First AAPC Chapter Meeting

Carol Dantzler-Harris, MEd, RHIA, CPC — Tue, 26 May 2009 11:41:00 GMT

I attended my first AAPC local chapter meeting last week. The meeting was an informal session on the daily duties of a coder. Coders shared their stories on a typical day at the office. Some people had a dual role of office manager/coder and others functioned...(read more)

Fame and Privacy

Carol Dantzler-Harris, MEd, RHIA, CPC — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:55:00 GMT

The major news outlets have done stories on actress Farrah Fawcett's battle with cancer. I watched part of her documentary and felt compassion for someone going through a horrible illness in public. The price of fame comes with a high cost. In addition...(read more)

Certifiable

Carol Dantzler-Harris, MEd, RHIA, CPC — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:03:00 GMT

Over the last 6 months my behavior can best be described as certifiable. This is an old school term that means that I have been totally off my rocker. I have not been the most pleasant person to live with these few months. My husband was just about ready...(read more)