CHICAGO, IL, USA -- HEALTHCARE UPDATE NEWS SERVICE(TM) -- SEPTEMBER 22, 2005: More than 4,000 health information management (HIM) and other healthcare industry professionals from around the world will gather in San Diego, CA, October 15 - 20, 2005 for the 77th AHIMA Convention and Exhibit.

This year's convention will offer more than 130 workshops and sessions addressing key health information management and technology issues facing the healthcare industry today. Topics include the transition to the electronic health record (EHR), patient privacy and security, clinical vocabularies, coding trends such as ICD-10, new technology and much more.

FEATURED SPEAKERS: David Brailer, MD, Ph.D. National Health Information Technology Coordinator US Department of Health and Human Services Carol Diamond, MD, MPH The Markle Foundation Mark Frisse, MD, MBA, MSc Vanderbilt University Janlori Goldman The Health Privacy Project Stedman Graham S. Graham & Associates Paul Tang, MD Palo Alto Medical Foundation Erik Wahl The Wahl Group Scott Wallace National Alliance for Health Information Technology EDUCATIONAL TRACKS: Attendees can personalize their knowledge and create their own schedule of educational sessions. AHIMA's 30 educational tracks provide real-life examples of results-oriented ideas or processes. Each day educational tracks change to reflect job title, topic area, or healthcare setting. PRE- AND POST-CONVENTION WORKSHOPS: Workshops provide intense, focused knowledge in subjects ranging from documentation improvement to electronic health records (EHRs) and personal health records (PHRs). Working in small groups with hands-on participation, attendees will be prepared to face new questions and concerns as they move forward in their careers. INSTITUTE ON CLINICAL VOCABULARY MAPPING METHODS: This institute will be the first ever full-day symposium devoted to methods for mapping clinical vocabularies. Maps are created between different clinical vocabularies and classification systems to enable "enter once, use many" functionalities in the EHR. Two tracks will cover the technical requirements for mapping and the issues surrounding content, functionality and organization management. EXHIBIT HALL: Over 230 companies will display the most recent products, services and technologies related to the management of health information at this year's exhibit hall. To view an up-to-date list of confirmed exhibitors, visit: www.ahima.org/convention/2005/attend/exhibit.asp. WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Professionals involved in the following job functions would benefit: Executive decision-making Clinicians (including doctors and nurses) Coding (any healthcare setting) Data analysis, collection, and reporting HIM Health policy makers Informatics information technology Information security and information systems Product development Quality management Transcription FOR MORE INFORMATION: Information about convention activities, registration, and travel is available on AHIMA's Web site at www.ahima.org/convention/2005. ABOUT AHIMA: AHIMA is the premier association of health information management (HIM) professionals. AHIMA's 50,000 members are dedicated to the effective management of personal health information needed to deliver quality healthcare to the public. Founded in 1928 to improve the quality of medical records, AHIMA is committed to advancing the HIM profession in an increasingly electronic and global environment through leadership in advocacy, education, certification, and lifelong learning. For information about the Association, go to www.ahima.org.