Ethics Information

AHIMA Code of Ethics

Revised and approved by the House of Delegates in July 2004.

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Code of Ethics is intended to serve as a guide for the professional ethics of its members and credentialed nonmembers.  There are five sections:

• Preamble – provides the ethical obligation of the HIM members and credentialed nonmembers.
• Values – summarizes the core values based on the mission of the Association.
• Purpose – delineates the six purposes for the Code of Ethics.
• The Use of the Code – describes how the Code should be used by members and credentialed nonmembers.
• Ethical Principles – Eleven principles.
• How to Interpret the Code of Ethics – the guidelines for the eleven principles to help members and nonmembers interpret the principles.

Complaint

The AHIMA Code of Ethics applies to AHIMA members and credentialed nonmembers.  If you believe an AHIMA member or credentialed nonmember has violated the Code of Ethics, you may chose to file a complaint with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).  Please see the Professional Ethics Committee Policy and Procedures for filing a complaint.  You will need to complete the Complaint Form and submit it along with all supporting documentation to: Carolyn Guyton-Ringbloom or

Carolyn Guyton-Ringbloom
AHIMA
233 North Michigan
21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60601-5800

Please note the deadline for filing a complaint is specified in the Policy and Procedures.  If the ethics process goes forward, a copy of the complaint will be sent to the respondent. 

The complainant need not be a member or a credentialed nonmember of the American Health Information Management Association.

The complaint must contain details on the activities complained of; the basis for complainant’s knowledge of these activities; names, addresses, and telephone number of all persons involved or who might have knowledge of the activities; and whether the complaint has been submitted to a court or an administrative body.  The complaint must also cite the principle(s) of the Code of Ethics for the AHIMA allegedly violated.

The complaint must be signed and sworn to by the complainant(s).

Form for filing an Ethics complaint

Contact person for questions regarding Code of Ethics violations: Carolyn Guyton-Ringbloom.

Code of Ethics Educational Materials

PowerPoint Presentation
The Professional Ethics Committee has developed a PowerPoint Presentation and set of handouts for use at meetings and for student education.  Please feel free to download and use.

• Code of Ethics PowerPoint Presentation
• Code of Ethics Power Point Handouts to accompany the Presentation

• Byrd, Katherine. "Conduct Is Their Business," Journal of AHIMA 72, no.3 (2001): 45. 
• Harman, Laurinda, Mullen, Virginia. “Health Information Management in the Global Community: Ethical Issues.” AHIMA Convention Proceedings, October 2004. 
• Harman, Laurinda. “HIM and Ethical Decision Making: Complex Challenges.” AHIMA Convention Proceedings, October 2001. 
• Yokubaitis, Pamela R. "Are Ethics Guiding Your Workplace?" Journal of AHIMA 74, no.8 (2003): 66-68. 
• Standards for Ethical Coding.  American Health Information Management Association. "Standards of Ethical Coding." Journal of AHIMA 71, no.3 (2000): insert after p.8.
• Bronnert, June. "Coding Ethically." Journal of AHIMA 76, no.9 (2005): 108,110,112.
• Mullen, Virginia; Harman, Laurinda; Glover, Jacqueline. "Ethics in HIM: a Professional Imperative."  AHIMA's 78th National Convention and Exhibit Proceedings, October 2006
• Harman, Laurinda B., Mullen, virginiaL..  "Ethics at Work: a Case Study. "AHIMA's 77th national Convention and Exhibit Proceedings, october 2005.
• Committee Outlines History, Future of AHIMA's Code of Ethics.

2008 Professional Ethics Committee

• Rosanne Lippert, MHS, RHIA, Chair
• Nancy A. Davis, MS, RHIA
• Joseph Rivet, CCS-P
• Karen S. Scott, MEd, RHIA, CCSP, CPC
• Dawn Thomas-Flowers, MBA, RHIA, CCS
• Andrea B. Thomas, MBA, RHIA, CHPS
• Vera Rulon, MS, RHIT, CCS, Board Liaison

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