What Happens to Your Health Information After Your Visit?
Inside the Vital Work of the Health Information Management Team at PHS
By: Carissa Gunn, Director of Health Information  

When you walk out of your doctor’s appointment or finish a hospital stay, it might feel like your healthcare experience is done. But behind the scenes, a highly skilled team is just getting started—working to protect, organize, and manage the detailed medical information that follows you throughout your life.

At Pershing Health System, that team is led by Carissa Gunn, who manages the Health Information Management (HIM) department. And if you’re not quite sure what HIM does—you’re not alone.

“We’re the bridge between clinical care and data,” says Carissa. “Everything from diagnoses and test results to treatment notes and provider documentation flows through our department. We make sure it’s accurate, secure, and accessible when and where it’s needed.”

What Is Health Information Management?
HIM is the engine room of your medical record—responsible for collecting, reviewing, coding, securing, and releasing health information in compliance with strict privacy laws like HIPAA.

“Most patients think of their doctor or nurse as their primary contact—and that makes sense,” Carissa explains. “But a huge part of quality healthcare relies on the integrity of the health information we manage. If something’s missing or incorrect, it can impact billing, treatment, insurance, and even future care decisions.”

Whether you’re coming in for a routine check-up, a lab test, or surgery, your visit generates a trail of documentation. That documentation helps clinicians make decisions, tracks patient outcomes, and serves as the legal and financial record of your care.

 

Privacy and Accuracy Are Top Priorities
In today’s digital world, protecting health data is more important than ever.

“Patient privacy isn’t just a law—it’s a promise,” Carissa says. “Our job is to make sure your information is only shared with those who are authorized to see it. We take that responsibility seriously, because it’s not just data—it’s your story.”

The HIM team works with advanced electronic health record systems and follows strict protocols to ensure that only the right eyes see your records. They also audit records regularly to maintain accuracy and compliance.

 

The Role of HIM in Everyday Patient Life
While the HIM department may not provide direct patient care, they play a big role in your healthcare journey:

• Medical Coding: Translating your diagnoses and procedures into standardized codes for billing and quality reporting.
• Record Release: Handling patient requests for medical records or transferring them to other providers.
• Documentation Review: Ensuring that every chart is complete and meets legal and clinical standards.
• Data Reporting: Supporting hospital departments with data needed for compliance, planning, and care improvement.

“We touch almost every part of the healthcare system—lab, radiology, surgery, outpatient clinics,” says Carissa. “We make sure the information flows seamlessly so that care doesn’t get interrupted.”

 

Need Your Records? HIM Can Help.
Patients often reach out to HIM when they need copies of their medical records—for another provider, for insurance, or even just for their own files. Carissa encourages patients to ask questions.

“If you’re not sure how to request your records, or what you’re entitled to see, just give us a call,” she says. “We’re here to help.”

 

The Unsung Heroes of Healthcare
Health Information Management may be out of sight for most patients—but at PHS, it’s never out of mind. The HIM team is a quiet force powering the accuracy, privacy, and reliability of every medical chart.

“Our work supports every patient, every day,” Carissa says. “And we take pride in knowing that what we do matters—even if you never see us.”