In case you missed it—read on for insights and quotes from Monday’s AHIMA21 speakers, plus additional resources.
Touring Today's "Disruptive Technologies"
Keynote speaker and CBS Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue walked attendees through a tour of today’s “disruptive technologies” from the iPhone to the self-driving car, noting that conveniences like smart watches and Alexa collect multitudes of personal data. “What does it mean, this data?” Pogue asked, pointing out that collecting data is not the same thing as having actionable insight. At the same time, there’s a backlash against science and technology, as the pandemic has shown. “The next pandemic, we will not have so much trouble (accepting interventions),” he said. “We’ll be used to it.” For more from Pogue, listen to the HI Pitch podcast.
Health Information Professionals Making a Difference
AHIMA President Katherine Lusk, MHSM, RHIA, FAHIMA, looked back on her year as president and highlighted some of the ways health information professionals made a difference during the pandemic.
"As professionals you have been stalwart stewards of data, focusing on the consumer, data integrity, embracing evolving clinical data capture and the clinician’s needs," Lusk said. She encouraged her fellow members to amplify AHIMA’s policy statements. “Sharing information and inviting other disciplines into the fold increases our reach, expands our knowledge, and speeds up the much-needed transformation.”
The Latest in Healthcare Cybersecurity
A panel of experts talked about the latest training tips to protect against breaches and hacks in "Cybersecurity and Healthcare." A follow-up session continued the conversation. Read AHIMA's policy statement on cybersecurity and information security.
Meeting Patients Where They Are
Attendees learned how to advance strategies to improve data quality and “meet patients where they are” regarding social determinants of health initiatives in a panel on "Advancing Health Equity." Read AHIMA's policy statement on social determinants of health.