The healthcare industry demands professionals equipped with practical skills and in-depth knowledge of Health Information Management (HIM) systems. The Ahima Learning Center rises to this challenge, providing unparalleled hands-on experience through its Virtual Lab (VLab®). This innovative platform offers students and professionals the opportunity to master essential HIM software, preparing them for real-world healthcare environments. Let’s explore the comprehensive suite of systems available within the AHIMA Learning Center, each designed to cultivate expertise and confidence.
Mastering Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems at the AHIMA Learning Center
Electronic Health Records are the backbone of modern healthcare administration. The AHIMA Learning Center provides access to leading EHR systems, allowing learners to navigate patient data, streamline workflows, and enhance patient care.
MEDITECH Expanse: Inpatient and Outpatient Expertise
MEDITECH Expanse, a robust EHR system, is a cornerstone of the AHIMA Learning Center. Students delve into both Acute and Ambulatory modules, gaining comprehensive experience across diverse healthcare settings. Within the Acute module, learners engage with inpatient functionalities, including Patient Care Services, Physician Care Manager, Deficiency Analysis, Delinquency Reporting, and Release of Information. The Ambulatory module focuses on outpatient skills, providing hands-on practice with Office Staff Home Screen, Clinical Chart Review, Patient Registration, Clinical Documentation, and Patient Identity Management. This dual-module approach ensures graduates are well-versed in managing patient information in any care environment.
DrChrono Outpatient Physician Office Practice Management System: Cloud-Based Efficiency
The AHIMA Learning Center also features DrChrono, an award-winning, cloud-based physician practice management system. This system offers students invaluable experience in various HIM activities within an outpatient setting. Learners build clinical document templates, manage patient registration and data, schedule appointments, and generate billing statements. DrChrono’s flexibility extends to pre-built patient cases and the option for students to create their own scenarios, fostering a dynamic learning environment. Key areas of exploration include:
- Patient scheduling proficiency
- DrChrono Dashboard navigation
- Foundational EHR navigation skills
- Clinical documentation tools and workflows, encompassing order entry and both narrative and structured documentation methods
- Clinical decision support tools, including alerts and reminders for enhanced patient safety
- Billing process management
Encoder Proficiency through the AHIMA Learning Center
Accurate coding is critical for healthcare reimbursement and data integrity. The AHIMA Learning Center offers access to industry-standard encoder systems, empowering students to master diagnostic and procedural coding.
3M Coding and Reimbursement System: Logic-Based Coding Mastery
The 3M Coding and Reimbursement System, integrated within the AHIMA Learning Center, provides students with a logic-based encoder software experience. This powerful tool grants access to essential coding resources, including ICD-10 diagnostic and procedure codebooks, CPT and HCPCS codebooks, and reimbursement groupers. Furthermore, students can utilize extensive coding and general references such as medical dictionaries, drug reference guides, and anatomical illustrations. This comprehensive package ensures learners become proficient in using encoder software and leveraging its resources for accurate coding. The 3M package includes:
- Encoder software for practical coding exercises
- DRG grouper to understand reimbursement principles
- Extensive coding reference materials
Find-A-Code: Streamlined Code Retrieval and Computer-Assisted Coding
Find-A-Code, a comprehensive online database of medical billing codes and information, is a key resource within the AHIMA Learning Center. Going beyond basic trial versions, AHIMA VLab® incorporates several learning activities designed to enhance students’ code assignment skills. Through these activities, students quickly appreciate the efficiency of Find-A-Code, which consolidates information from numerous codebooks into a single, searchable platform. The system offers various tools to aid in accurate diagnosis and procedure code assignment. Students particularly benefit from the Code-A-Note computer-assisted coding (CAC) tool, gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge coding technology.
Nuance Clintegrity™: Comprehensive Coding, Compliance, and Abstracting
Nuance Clintegrity™ within the AHIMA Learning Center is a knowledge-based encoder software suite encompassing ICD-10 diagnostic and procedure codebooks, CPT and HCPCS codebooks, and reimbursement groupers. Students can access extensive coding and general references, such as medical dictionaries, drug reference guides, and anatomy illustrations, similar to the 3M system. This system allows students to gain familiarity with encoder software tools and the resources they provide, but with Nuance’s unique approach and features. The package includes:
- Encoder for both facility and physician coding practice
- Comprehensive coding references
- Abstracting and compliance software modules
- Coded data set for practical application
Efficient Document Management with EDMS in the AHIMA Learning Center
Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS) are vital for secure and organized healthcare information. The AHIMA Learning Center provides experience with EDMS through Solcom EDMS.
EDCO Health Information Solutions – Solcom EDMS: Chart Repository and Imaging System
Solcom EDMS from EDCO Health Information Solutions serves as a central chart repository within AHIMA VLab®. This document imaging system includes scanned images of over 300 authentic patient records, providing a rich resource for students. These records are utilized in coding exercises, chart analysis, and general orientation to medical records forms and indexing, offering practical experience with real-world medical documentation.
Enhancing Coding Skills with Practice and Reference Tools at the AHIMA Learning Center
The AHIMA Learning Center goes beyond system simulations, offering specialized tools to refine coding skills and access essential references.
CIOX HealthSource Gym: Experiential Coding Training and Assessment
CIOX HealthSource Gym, available as an add-on subscription within the AHIMA Learning Center, is an experiential coding training and assessment solution. This web-based application uses clinical content in an interactive format to:
- Efficiently assess and train coders and CDI professionals across all skill levels.
- Improve coding skills through data-rich training and practice scenarios with immediate feedback.
- Enhance the coding acumen of clinical documentation integrity (CDI) professionals.
- Facilitate learning-by-doing, a methodology proven to increase knowledge retention.
Watch the CIOX HealthSource Gym demo to see this powerful tool in action.
MediRegs Coding Center for Students: Online Coding Reference Hub
The AHIMA Learning Center partners with Wolters Kluwer to offer MediRegs Coding Center for Students as another valuable add-on subscription. This online reference is specifically designed for learning to code, providing students with readily accessible resources used in professional practice.
MediRegs Coding Center for Students features:
- Simple search functionality across multiple code sets by code, description, or key terms.
- E-Code Sets for in-depth code exploration, integrated with an explorer tool for complete content for HCPCS, CPT®, ICD-9-CM, and ICD-10.
- A comprehensive suite of reference materials including a CMS glossary, MLN Matters, Job Aids, and fee schedule information.
- National Correct Coding Initiatives (NCCI) code pair checking tool, LCD/NCD Search tool, and MS-DRG grouper for learning complex coding rules.
- Customizable alerts and personal bookmark folders for instant access to crucial information.
Watch the MediRegs Coding Center for Students demo to discover its extensive capabilities.
For more details on AHIMA VLab® and the AHIMA Learning Center, please see page 3 of the AHIMA VLab® Brochure.
The AHIMA Learning Center, through AHIMA VLab®, provides an indispensable platform for aspiring and current HIM professionals to gain practical experience with industry-leading systems. By mastering these tools, individuals are well-prepared to excel in the dynamic field of health information management and contribute to the efficiency and accuracy of healthcare delivery.
