What is one key function of a Health Information Management (HIM) department?

One key function of a Health Information Management (HIM) department is managing the integrity and security of patient records. This responsibility is critical in ensuring that patient information is accurate, up-to-date, and protected from unauthorized access. Proper management of patient records is essential for maintaining compliance with regulatory standards, such as HIPAA, which governs the privacy and security of health information. Additionally, ensuring data integrity helps provide reliable information for clinical decision-making, enhancing the quality of patient care.

The other options, while important functions in the healthcare system, do not fall under the primary responsibilities of the HIM department. Providing direct patient care is typically the role of healthcare providers such as nurses and physicians. Managing financial billing practices is often handled by the billing or financial services department. Conducting patient satisfaction surveys is related to quality assurance or patient services and not a primary function of health information management.