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| CHIMA | Canadian Health Information Management Association; the national professional association for the health information profession in Canada. |
| HIM | Health Information Management professional; responsible for storing records, protecting privacy and analyzing data for reporting and quality improvement. |
| CHIMA mission | To elevate health information professionals to be more recognized and impactful. |
| CHIMA vision | A healthy Canada where quality health information empowers people to make better decisions. |
| CHIMA values | Collaboration, stewardship, leadership, and system thinking. |
| CHIMA professional values | Setting the bar, challenging the status quo, putting people first, earning trust, and leading by example. |
| CHIMA Code of Ethics | A public statement outlining certified members’ core values and commitments to the profession, the public, and each other. |
| Purpose of the CHIMA Code of Ethics | To guide ethical decision-making and professional responsibilities across work settings. |
| Standard 1 of the CHIMA Code of Ethics | CoE Standard: Practice with competence, integrity, and professionalism to inspire and promote trust and trustworthiness. |
| Competence | Performing duties diligently, following best practices, and offering only services for which one is qualified. |
| Integrity | Acting honestly, ethically, and accountably in professional practice. |
| Professionalism | Conducting oneself in a way that brings honour and dignity to oneself, the HIM profession, and the College. |
| Trustworthiness | Practicing in a manner worthy of the public’s trust. |
| Lifelong learning | Continuing to improve professional knowledge and competence through education. |
| Standard 2 of the CHIMA Code of Ethics | CoE Standard: Respect the inherent dignity and worth of all persons. |
| Self-determination | The ability of persons to shape their lives according to their values, independent of control by others. |
| Equal moral worth | The idea that all persons deserve respect and dignity. |
| Standard 3 of the CHIMA Code of Ethics | CoE Standard: Prioritize and advocate for the welfare and interests of individuals when handling their health information. |
| Health information lifecycle | Collecting, accessing, using, maintaining, disclosing, and disposing of health information. |
| Necessary access | Access only the data or information required to complete one’s work. |
| Unauthorized access | Accessing health information without a valid work-related reason or authorization. |
| Standard 4 of the CHIMA Code of Ethics | CoE Standard: Safeguard the privacy, confidentiality, security, and quality of health information. |
| Minimum necessary disclosure | Disclosing only the information necessary and directly relevant to achieve the purpose of disclosure. |
| Data quality | Maintaining accurate and reliable health information to support safe, effective, person-centred care and evidence-based decisions. |
| Standard 5 of the CHIMA Code of Ethics | CoE Standard: Be vigilant not to create or exacerbate inequities and actively work to reduce them. |
| Inequity reduction | Working to avoid disproportionate burden or harm and advocating for reduction of unjust health inequalities. |
| Safe inclusive spaces | Environments where individuals and populations are treated with equal moral respect. |
| ROI professional | A Release of Information professional responsible for maintaining, securing, documenting, and releasing patient medical records appropriately. |
| ROI privacy duty | Protect patient confidentiality and privacy, follow departmental policy, and report suspected unauthorized access. |
| HIM coder | A professional who codes patient encounters and ensures documentation is consistent, accurate, and reflective of the encounter. |
| Unethical coding | Adding unnecessary data or diagnosis codes to increase funding. |
| Point-of-care administrative health professional | A role such as medical office administrator or unit clerk that supports registration, coordinates services, and communicates with patients and families. |
| Privacy breach response | Notify appropriate management immediately and take steps to inform the affected patient. |
| Alleged violation process | Report violations to leadership and the CHIMA governing body for review and appropriate action. |
| Professional Ethics Committee | The body that may investigate ethical complaints against a CHIMA professional. |
| Privacy Office audit | Unauthorized access to patient records may be audited by the Privacy Office. |
| Consequences of Code violations | Potential legal action, CHIMA membership revocation, and job loss. |
| Credentialing | The process of maintaining certification and professional designation through required standards and ongoing learning. |
| Canadian College of Health Information Management | The College connected to certification and professional credential requirements for HIM professionals. |
| CPE | Continuing Professional Education. |
| Professional designation | A credential that may be used only when certification requirements are maintained. |
| Continuous learning | Ongoing professional education that supports competence in an evolving healthcare field. |
