Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Health Information Management Education (CAHIIM) is the association that grants accreditation to colleges and programs that provide education in Health Informatics and Health Information Management. To know more about CAHIIM, read the blog.
What is CAHIIM?
The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education, the acronym of CAHIIM is an independent accrediting agency that approves accreditation for educational programs that prepare students for careers in the field of health informatics and health information management.
The mission of the Commission is to provide students and employers with educational programs that reach high standards. It not only strives to recognize and accredit the programs that meet its standards but also works with schools to find new educational opportunities and learning outcomes that benefit students.
The values of the Commission revolve around honesty, trust, professionalism, and a true sense of collaboration with the schools it accredits.
source - stock.adobe
It authorizes associate and baccalaureate degree programs in health information management and masters' degree programs in health information and health information management.
Health informatics is an interprofessional specialty that exists at the junction of three major domains and they are health, information science, and technology. Like any other health profession, it is the practice of using data, information, and knowledge for clinical care, scientific inquiry, decision making, and problem-solving to improve the health, and safety of those working and being cared for within the system of health care delivery.
Health information management is the practice of managing medical data important to provide quality patient care, well financial management of medical resources, and data governance supporting the confidentiality of patient records. Management of this data includes recovery, analysis, and security of digital and conventional types of information.
Accreditation Councils
The Accreditation Council was established by the Board for appraisal and guidance in the accreditation activities. The Council surveys the accreditation data and gives directions to change program quality or the strategies of the organization.
The Health Informatics Accreditation Council - 5 chamber individuals including 1 council member elected by AMIA and 4 extra committee individuals named by the Board of Directors.
The Health Information Management Accreditation - 7 chamber individuals, including 3 council individuals elected by AHIMA, and 4 extra committee individuals named by the Board of Directors.
source - stock.adobe
Guiding Values of CAHIIM
In order to achieve the mission, CAHIIM ensures that it abides by certain values and principles. A few of the guiding values are mentioned below.
- Executing the majority of its obligations in reliable ways.
- Working towards constant change in methodologies to expand administration, profitability, and effectiveness.
- Rehearsing comprehensive decision making that depends on an assortment of data sources and perspectives from the general population.
- Ensuring that the methodologies and the policies adopted for accreditation are trustworthy.
- Inculcating continual learning behavior to improve the review process and increase the knowledge of the panel members' decision.
Eligibility Requirements for CAHIIM Accreditation
To receive CAHIIM accreditation, it is essential that the college or university meets the required standards and benchmarks. The eligibility requirements for CAHIIM Accreditation are given.
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A Letter of Intent is to be submitted by the institution in case of the first-time accreditation.
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The institution must have the state license and authority to operate as an educational body and award degrees to students.
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The unit must be operating independently and the head of the academic staff or the Dean must carry out the proceedings for accreditation.
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The university/college must have sufficient resources to smoothly carry out the mentioned programs.
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Presence of core faculty who has experience in health information systems and can impart proficient knowledge to students.
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The preparation of the self-evaluation report has to be done sincerely and every information provided must be complete and authentic.
Process of CAHIIM Accreditation
CAHIIM accreditation is voluntary and the programs can apply for the same as per their wish. The program must submit the application not earlier than six months before the first graduating class.
After the submission of the application, the process of accreditation is carried out as follows.
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Within 90 days of receipt of all application requirements, the application is reviewed for Candidacy Eligibility.
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If all the application requirements are met, Candidacy Status is granted and the program is required to submit a self-assessment within a period of one year.
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The Staff and members of the Review Panel evaluate the self-study report and decide on whether to approve the request for a site visit or not. This can take up to 7 months.
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The site visit is scheduled and on completion of the site visit, an assessment report is formulated.
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The Program response is taken into consideration and the program is evaluated by the Council and the Board Members.
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Depending on whether the program meets the required standards or not, the accreditation status is determined.
source - cahiim.org
Importance of CAHIIM to Students
It ensures that students are receiving a relevant education that gives them the best qualifications and extends support them to excel in their careers.
The benefits that can be attained by the student with this accreditation are as follows.
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Students will be assured about receiving a good quality education and it also includes industry required knowledge.
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Work with the latest technology and software currently used by those in the profession.
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Learn from teachers who are masters in the respective field and have been approved to teach the subject.
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It increases the chances of better employment opportunities since companies prefer to hire graduates from accredited institutions.
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Pursue professional certifications from AHIMA that employers look for.
Making Bodies of CAHIIM
CAHIIM aims to provide high educational proficiency in Health Informatics and Health Information Management Careers. The decision making bodies work towards achieving this mission.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is the most vital decision-making body of the association as it is responsible for granting formal accreditation status through the program audit of degree-granting educational programs.
It is an autonomous basic leadership group of CAHIIM and consists of a CAHIIM Executive Director, 3 Health Informatics Representatives, 4 Health Information Management Representatives, and a public member.
The Board Members are appointed based on voting by the CAHIIM members to serve an amazing tenure of four years.
Institutions Accredited by CAHIIM
CAHIIM guarantees that proficient and professional education in Health Informatics and Health Information Management is provided to the students. It provides programmatic accreditation to only those programs that meet the laid benchmarks and fulfill the required standards.
Some of the colleges and universities that are CAHIIM accredited are given.
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List of Institutions accredited by CAHIIM |
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Conclusion
CAHIIM serves the public through the progression of professional careers in Health Informatics and Management education.
Commission on accreditation for health informatics and information management education has tried to enhance the quality of health informatics education provided in the majority of schools.
Eminent accreditation agencies like CAHIIM help to improve the professional training programs and enhance the exposure given to students. All the accredited schools by CAHIIM are known to have high standards in the level of the curriculum followed and the training offered.
source - stock.adobe
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is CAHIIM?
CAHIIM stands for Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education. It is a renowned accrediting agency for health information courses operating in the United States and Puerto Rico.
2.What does CAHIIM accreditation process ensure?
It ensures that the college has voluntarily gone through the rigorous process of getting accreditation involving several intermediary steps like self-study, peer reviews, on-site visit, thus ensuring quality education.
3.What does CAHIIM accreditation mean for students?
It means that the students can trust the educational programs rendered by the college or university as it has undergone rigorous CAHIIM evaluation process to receive accreditation.
4.What is the mission of CAHIIM?
The mission of CAHIIM is to serve the public interests by establishing and enforcing quality accreditation standards for educational programs and to enhance the level of education imparted.
5.Which colleges have been accredited by CAHIIM?
Some of the colleges accredited by CAHIIM are Ashford University, San Diego Mesa College, University of Washington, and others.
