Professional responsibilities often require an individual to move beyond personal values. In addition, sensitive information (e.g., genetic, adoption, substance use, sexual health, and behavioral information) requires special attention to prevent misuse. A profession develops in the context of the world, not in an isolated silo. Ethical principles such as beneficence, autonomy, justice, and fidelity will be challenged as electronic health information systems evolve. The conflicting roles or responsibilities must be clarified and appropriate action taken to minimize any conflict of interest. Ethics is on the mind of more than just Internet privacy experts these days. Avoid lending the prestige of the association to advance or appear to advance the private interests of others by endorsing any product or service in return for remuneration. 9.3. Adapted with permission from the 1999 Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. The implementation of diagnosis related groups (DRGs) in 1983 changed the nature and importance of the medical record professional's role in a highly regulated government environment. Ethics can look easy on paper, but the working world offers some complex situations. 1934 Pledge of the American Association of Medical Record Librarians, The pledge was adequate for guiding professional behaviors until 1957, at which time the professional association passed the first code of ethics.20 This code of ethics engaged the professional values and ethical principles of service, honor, and the advancement of medical record science, among other values such as placing service before material gain; bringing honor to self, associates, and the medical record profession; preserving and protecting medical records; providing service; honoring the welfare of patients; preserving and protecting privacy and confidential information; following laws and regulations; serving the employer loyally; refusing to participate in or conceal unethical practices; reporting violations to proper authorities; preserving the confidential nature of committees; accepting customary and lawful fees; staying within the scope of responsibilities; advancing medical record science and maintaining continuing education; strengthening professional manpower; honoring association responsibilities; and stating degrees, experience, and credentials accurately. Together, the Principles of Medical Ethics and the Opinions of the AMA's Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs make up the Code. Patients must have the right to review and make corrections in their electronic record, and this right must be honored especially as states and organizations develop health information exchanges (HIEs). These purposes strengthen the HIM professional’s efforts to improve overall quality of healthcare. The 2011 code of ethics followed the format of the 2004 code and incorporated language to reflect changes in technology, the healthcare system, and association management, and it “provides enhanced steps for reporting individual, unprofessional actions.”31 The full code of ethics is available at www.ahima.org/about/ethicscode.aspx. The code also added a principle related to the protection of secondary records, the right to privacy of medical and social information, and the reporting of breaches to a professional ethics committee. 14  American Medical Record Association. 27  American Health Information Management Association. 2017. 15 American Health Information Management Association. Provide directed practice opportunities for students. The pledge was expanded in 1935 when the association’s emblem was approved, and standards for ethical conduct were incorporated.19 See Table 1 for the full pledge. 2.4. In 2009, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, part of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), included provisions to advance the use of health information technology by including privacy, security, and electronic health record incentives. See Table 2for some of the changes in the healthcare system at the time that the various codes of ethics were passed. The American Medical Association’s code of ethics did not address research on humans until 1946. A health information management professional shall: 5.1. Advocate for changes in policy and legislation to ensure protection of privacy and confidentiality, compliance, and other issues that surface as advocacy issues and facilitate informed participation by the public on these issues. 4.2. Be aware of the profession's mission, values, and ethical principles, and practice in a manner consistent with them by acting honestly and responsibly. If you do not accept and abide by this policy, do not use any of the services provided on the website. 2016. THE STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CODING ARE BASED ON THE AMERICAN HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION'S (AHIMA'S) CODE OF ETHICS. Establishes a set of ethical principles to be used to guide decision-making and actions. A health information management professional shall not: 2.6. The codes of ethics are examined in terms of professional values and changes in the language used to express the principles of the various codes. Claim and ensure that representation to consumers, agencies, and the public of professional qualifications, credentials, education, competence, affiliations, services provided, training, certification, consultation received, supervised experience, and other relevant professional experience are accurate. Take unfair advantage of any professional relationship or exploit others to further one’s own personal, religious, political, or business interests. Ethics Update: Revisions Strengthen AHIMA's Code of Ethics. Individuals of good character who discern moral questions and, in good faith, seek to make reliable ethical judgments, must apply ethical principles. 1977. Chicago: Physician’s Record Company, 1972, p. 135. Don't use plagiarized sources. The reader is encouraged to contemplate these events and consider what bearing the events may have had on each code of ethics. 7  Beauchamp, T., and J. Childress. 31  Hart-O’Connor, Sheila. Seek resolution if there is a belief that a colleague has acted unethically or if there is a belief of incompetence or impairment by discussing one’s concerns with the colleague when feasible and when such discussion is likely to be productive. 13  American Medical Record Association. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is a professional association for health professionals involved in the health information management needed to deliver quality health care to the public. Serve an active role in developing HIM faculty or actively recruiting HIM professionals. The focus on technology and human relationships increases ethical imperatives because what is done, how it is done, and what the intended (and sometimes unintended) outcomes are must be carefully examined.35. Code of Ethics, 1957, 1977, 1988, 1998, and 2004, 2011. New York: Wharton School, 2008. AHIMA issues standards of ethical coding . Beginning in 1994, a series of Physicians at Teaching Hospitals (PATH) Audits were conducted by the federal government to investigate improper billing by teaching hospitals and physicians. 16  American Health Information Management Association. AHIMA Code of Ethics American Health Information Management Association Standards of Ethical Coding [2016 version] Ethical Standards for Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) Professionals (2016) Developing a Coding Compliance Policy Document (2010 update) In the Winds of Change, Principles Provide a Steady Course 2004. All Rights Reserved. The ethical obligations of the health information management (HIM) professional include the safeguarding of privacy and security of health information; appropriate disclosure of health information; development, use, and maintenance of health information systems and health information; and ensuring the accessibility and integrity of health information. The 2004 code eliminated the verb “strive” and reintroduced the principle related to the refusal to participate in or conceal unethical practices. McWay, D.C. Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information Management, 4th ed. Promote the obligation to respect privacy by respecting confidential information shared among colleagues, while responding to requests from the legal profession, the media, or other non-healthcare related individuals, during presentations or teaching and in situations that could cause harm to persons. The terms "shall” and “shall not" are used as a basis for setting high standards for behavior. 4.9. 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