Telehealth and the HIM Professional’s Role: Relaxing of Rules for Telehealth Services due to COVID-19 Requires Strong Leadership

July 30, 2020

by Diana Warner

Health information management has seen many new processes quickly evolve during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 forced the healthcare industry to change how healthcare is delivered, with telehealth taking a front row seat. Rules and regulations around telehealth are currently relaxed to accommodate this change in the interaction between patient and provider.

As a result, it is necessary to review and update documentation practices, content, policies and procedures, while upholding patient privacy and confidentiality. Consents may also need to be updated for telehealth visits, especially if unsecured connections are used. Now is the time for health information professionals to take the lead to ensure workflows are in place for documenting, sharing and storing telehealth encounters.

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Diana Warner, MS, RHIA, CHPS, CPHI, FAHIMA

In her role as Director of Account Management for MRO, Warner is responsible for establishing, maintaining and enhancing relationships with clients. By building trust as a liaison between MRO and our client, she provides guidance and advice ensuring all MRO services are provided efficiency and effectively striving for the highest quality in delivery and customer services. Warner has over 20 years of experience in HIM, working in various healthcare settings including physician practice and acute care hospitals. Prior to joining MRO, she served as Director, Information Governance, Informatics and Standards at the American Health Information Association (AHIMA). Warner provided professional expertise EHRs, privacy, security and confidentiality, and HIM operations in both hospitals and physician practices. She holds a Master of Science in Health Services Administration from the Columbus State University in Georgia.