This book is a guide to the essentials of health information management, also known as medical records management. It is aimed at those new to the management of health record services. Every time health care personnel treat a patient, they record what they observed, and how the patient was treated medically. This record includes information the patient provides concerning their symptoms and medical history, the results of examinations, reports of x-rays and laboratory tests, diagnoses, and treatment plans. According to the national Bureau of Labor Statistics, health information management is one of the fastest growing areas in the health care labor market, and one of the U. S.'s 20 fastest growing professions. This book, a AHA Press title for this field, will enter its fifth edition with significant new additions: - to reflect changes in the workforce, the new edition will expand its focus from hospitals to include medical practices and outpatient medicine. - to reflect changes in health information technology, the fifth edition will include more on computerization issues. - to enhance the book's penetration into the academic market the fifth edition will be in an edited collection format, with contributions by leading H. I. M. educators.