Consumer Resources

California Office of Privacy Protection 

California is the first state to have an agency dedicated to promoting and protecting the privacy rights of consumers. Now located in the California Office of Information Security and Privacy Protection, the Office of Privacy Protection was created by legislation in 2000 and opened in 2001. Its mission is to identify consumer problems in the privacy area and encourage the development of fair information practices. The Office of Privacy Protection Assists individuals with identity theft and other privacy-related concerns.   

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is an online source for credible health information. Get information on diseases & conditions, emergency preparedness & response, environmental health, and more…. 

Health Information Careers 

HealthInformationCareers.com is a site where you can learn more about a career in Health Information Management. Health information management is the study of the principles and practices of acquiring, analyzing, and protecting digital and traditional medical information vital to providing quality patient care. 

Health Information Management (HIM) and Health Information Technology (HIT) programs incorporate the disciplines of medicine, management, finance, information technology, and law into one curriculum. Because of this unique mixture, HIM graduates can choose from a variety of work settings across an array of health care environments.

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) addresses career advancement in HIM. Begin your search for HIM education via the CAHIIM Accredited programs at the masters, baccalaureate and associate degree levels Those interested in obtaining a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Certificate of Completion or Transfer of Credits information can also find information here. 

The California Health Information Association (CHIA) has HIM career information posted that includes the HIM accredited programs in California. Many programs have online education opportunities.

Still have questions? Contact CHIA at info@CaliforniaHIA.org  

Hospital Compare

Hospital Compare is a tool where you can find information on how well hospitals care for patients with certain medical conditions or surgical procedures. It includes results from a survey of patients about the quality of care they received during a recent hospital stay. This information will help you compare the quality of care hospitals provide. Hospital Compare was created through the efforts of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services, and other members of the Hospital Quality Alliance: Improving Care Through Information (HQA). 

Office of Civil Rights 

Federal civil rights laws and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule, together protect your fundamental rights of nondiscrimination and privacy. The Privacy Rule protects the privacy of your health information; it says who can look at and receive your health information, and gives you specific rights over that information.  

Personal Health Record (PHR)

MyPHR.com is a Web site sponsored by the American Health Information Management Association as a public education service to help you better understand and manage your personal health record. The Web site includes an explanation of:

• Why you should have a PRR
• Sources for creating and maintaining a PHR
• PHR privacy rights and common privacy myths
• How to avoid medical identity theft
• Useful tools and resources

The California Health Information Association (CHIA) provides free community-based public education presentations about the importance of your PHR. CHIA can also bring PHR information to your local health fair. For additional information or to schedule a presentation, contact CHIA at info@CaliforniaHIA.org.