@670 words, 4 pages including cover sheet and sources. Written June, 2011

1. International
Federation June 8
of
Health
Information
2011
Management

2. Mary Strube IFHIMA June 8, 2011
The International Federation of Health Information Management (IFHIMA) is a non-
governmental international organization established in 1968 whose mission is to bring together
national organizations for the purpose of improving the use of health records worldwide.
IFHIMA supports all nations in the implementation and improvement of health record systems
by serving as a forum for the exchange of information. It is a non-profit affiliate of the World
Health Organization and a partner of the International Medical Informatics Association.
According to the organization’s website, “the purposes of IFHIMA are to:
promote the development and use of health records/information management in all
countries
advance the development and use of international health records/information
management standards
provide for the exchange of information on health records/information management
education requirements and training programs
provide opportunities for education and communication between persons working in
the field of health records/information management in all countries
promote the use of technology and the electronic health record” (IFHIMA, 2007)
IFHIMA’s leadership is by Executive Committee, which is comprised of eight elected
officials: the President, the President-elect, and six Regional Directors, one to represent Europe,
the Americas, Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Africa
respectively. There are four levels of membership available in IFHIMA: the National
Membership, for associations that represent the health information management (HIM) field; the
Associate Membership, for individuals who work in the HIM field; the Corporate Membership,
for companies that provide healthcare services; and the Honorary Membership, which is given by
the Executive Committee to individuals who have “earned exceptional merit in furthering the
goals and interests of IFHIMA.” Activities include publication of an organizational newsletter,
educational programs, international committees, task groups and projects and one meeting every
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3. Mary Strube IFHIMA June 8, 2011
three years of IFHIMA’s International Health Records Congress, the most recent having taken
place in November, 2010 in Milan, Italy. (IFHIMA, 2007)
Three key strategic initiatives of IFHIMA concern the needs of developing countries, the
implementation of a globally similar electronic health records (EHR), and global standardization
of HIM education. (IFHIMA, 2007) Needs of developing countries address the issues of health
information systems in these areas which are often weak, incomplete, and that contain data that
is not easy to access and is of poor quality, as well as the paradox that the countries with the
worst health problems are most often those with the weakest health information systems.
(Bennett, Wangila, & Hatta) Consistent record keeping that applies all of the same conventions
and rules of coding in records across all countries allowing for comparable, more accurate, and
better quality data are the hallmarks of international implementation of the EHR. (Skurka, 2010)
One important educational goal of IFHIMA is to build a map of HIM education across the globe
and have national directors provide updates to member nations concerning types of courses,
credentials and education available in each country so that a global system of education can be
created. (IFHIMA, 2007)
The impact of such initiatives on healthcare in the US and in all nations of the world will
be far reaching. A global system of recordkeeping will benefit those who travel not only from
state to state, but also international travelers by providing continuity of care and improved
patient services. Better recordkeeping in disadvantaged countries will help to improve the
collection of data and aid in accurate records concerning incidence, morbidity and mortality
which will have significant impact on research in the US as well as lead to better control of
diseases, and increased containment in the event of epidemic. Global initiatives such as these are
very important for the HIM industry not only in the US, but also across the world.
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4. Mary Strube IFHIMA June 8, 2011
Works Cited
Bennett, V., Wangila, R., & Hatta, G. (n.d.). Discussion paper on Needs of Developing
Countries. Retrieved June 2011, from ifhima.org:
http://www.ifhima.org/docs/Discussion%20paper%20on%20Needs%20of%20Developin
g%20Countriesinitiative.pdf
IFHIMA. (2007). IFHRO. Retrieved June 2011, from International Federation of Health
Information Management: http://www.ifhima.org/
Skurka, M. (2010, November). Skurka Margaret PDF. Retrieved June 2011, from ifhro.org:
http://www.ifhro2010.it/Proceedings/ATTI%20CLOSING%20CEREMONY/Skurka%20
Margaret.pdf
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