Course Syllabus

 

COURSE IDENTIFICATION

Course Prefix/Number:                               ALHT 170

Course Title:                                                             Electronic Health Records

Division:                                                        Outreach and Workforce Development  

Program:                                                        Health Information Technology

Credit Hours:                                                3.0

Initiation/Revised:                                        Spring 2009

Assessment Goal per Outcome(s):           80%

Instructor:                                                      Jennifer Williams, RHIT

Contact information:                                               jwilliams@neosho.edu, 620-431-2820 ext 214

 

CLASSIFICATION OF INSTRUCTION

Vocational

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is an internet-based course designed to give the student a working knowledge of computerized information management systems utilized by health information management departments.

 

PREREQUISITES AND/OR COREQUISITES

Introduction to Health Information Technology, Legal Aspects of Health Information, Health Information Technology Clinical Affiliation I and Admission to program or department consent.

 

TEXT/WEBSITE/RESOURCES

Johns, Merida, PhD, RHIA, Health Information Management Technology:  An Applied Approach.  Chicago:  American Health Information Management Association, 2007.

 

Amatayakul, Margaret K., Electronic Health Records: A Practical Guide for Professionals and Organizations.(4th edition).  Chicago:  American Health Information Management Association, 2009.

 

https://ahima.demonservers.com - AHIMA’s Virtual Lab

 

http://www.neosho.edu/library/index.asp - NCCC library site

 

AHIMA Journal

 

http://www.ahima.org American Health Information Management Association

 

www.jcaho.org  Joint Commission of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO)

 

www.aha.org  American Hospital Association

American College of Surgeons web site

 

COURSE OUTCOMES/ COMPETENCIES (as Required)

Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:

1.    Discuss the concept and evolution of the electronic health record (EHR) and evaluate and defend the current state of the EHR and technologies.

2.    Describe and defend health care data sets purpose and the importance in the paper and electronic environment.

3.    Differentiate between heath information type, content, and forms of media.

4.    Differentiate between health record data definitions, vocabularies, terminologies and dictionaries.

5.    Assess computer concepts and analyze the major operating systems, languages and related components.

6.    Classify communication and internet technologies including networks, intranet and other related tools.

7.    Identify components of health information systems including EHR, PHR, lab and other related sources.

8.    Adapt the paper-based health record to electronic by working through issues of archival, retrieval and imaging systems.

9.    Recognize elements of system architecture and design.

10. Classify system acquisition and evaluation.

11. Discover concepts in data security.

12. Identify components of data integrity concepts.

13. Identify components of risk management implementation, contingency planning, and data recovery procedures

14. Recognize data recovery and risk management issues in relation to the electronic health record.

 

AHIMA DOMAINS

I. Domain:  Healthcare Data Management

      A. Subdomain: Health Data Structure, Content and Standards

1.    Collect and maintain data sets and databases

4.    Contribute to the definitions for and apply clinical vocabularies and

 terminologies used in the organization’s health information systems.

III. Domain:  Health Services Organization and Delivery

     A. Subdomain:  Healthcare Delivery Systems

1.    Apply information system policies and procedures required by national health information initiatives on the healthcare delivery system.

     B. Subdomain:  Healthcare Privacy, Confidentiality, Legal and Ethical Issues.

            1.  Participate in the implementation of legal and regulatory requirements

                related to health information infrastructure.

4.    Maintain user access logs/systems to track access to and disclosure of identifiable patient data.

IV Domain:  Information Technology & Systems

     A Subdomain:  Information and Communication Technologies

            4.  Apply policies and procedures for the use of networks, including

                 intranet and internet applications to facilitate the electronic health

                 record (EHR), personal health record (PHR), public health, and other

                 administrative applications.

     B. Subdomain:  Data, Information, and File Structures

            1.  Apply knowledge of data base architecture and design (such as data

                dictionary, data modeling, data warehousing, and so on) to meet

                departmental needs.

C.   Subdomain: Data Storage and Retrieval

1.    Use appropriate electronic or imaging technology for data/record storage.

4.    Maintain archival and retrieval systems for patient information stored in multiple formats.

D.   Subdomain:  Data Security

1.    Apply confidentiality and security measures to protect electronic health information.

2.    Protect data integrity and validity using software or hardware technology.

3.    Apply departmental and organizational data and information system security policies.

5.      Contribute to the design and implementation of risk management, contingency planning, and data recovery procedures.

E.   Subdomain:  Healthcare Information Management

1.    Participate in the planning, design, selection, implementation, integration, testing, evaluation, and support for organization-wide information systems.

 

COURSE OUTLINE

I.              The Electronic Health Record

A.   The Ideal Electronic Health Record System

B.   Evolution of the Electronic Health Record

C.   Initiatives and Framework for the Electronic Health Record

D.   Creation of Electronic Health Record Systems

E.   Challenges to Adoption of EHR

F.    Information Management in an Electronic Environment

G.   IT and System Infrastructure

H.   EHR Implementation and Ongoing Maintenance

I.      Future Directions in Information Technology

 

SCHEDULE

This class meets online for weekly learning units.  The class materials for each unit will be available for a minimum of seven days, starting Monday and ending Sunday.

 

Week

Topic

Reading/ Exercises/Exam

1

(8/30/09)

 

 

 

50 pts

Introduction & Misc items

*Complete Academic Honesty and cert roster tests.

*Post your introduction on the discussion board (collaboration)

*Complete the Student Objective/Occupational Intent Form only if you are changing your major. (Mail or email to NCCC HIT Program Coordinator.

2

(09/06/09)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100 pts

The Electronic Health Record

(Johns)

 

Introduction to Electronic Health Records

(Amatayakul)

*Submit information to instructor so you can be registered for AHIMA VLab.

*Read Chapter 4 (Johns) to pg 130.

* Do Application Exercises # 1 & #2 in work book . 

*Read Chapter 1 (Amatayakul) pg

   1-21.

*Describe the EHR migration path including, but    limited to, clinical decision support systems, POC

charting, CPOE and PHR.  (Turn in answers via InsideNC).

*Several Web sites offer free or moderately priced EHR vendor comparisons with a full range of EHR functionality available. Review the following sites and post your findings to the discussion board describing one product/vendor:

· www.AdvanceforHIE.com provides an annual EHR System Review that can be launched free of charge from its home page

· www.AdvanceforHIE.com also provides an annual Workflow Management

summary and vendor list

· www.acgroup.org provides an annual survey of EHR vendors

· www.ehrselector.com for a modest fee provides access to an interactive EHR vendor list for physician offices.

3

(09/13/09)

 

 

 

 

100 pts

The Electronic Health Record

(Johns)

 

Information Systems Theory and Life Cycle (Amatayakul)

*Read Chapter 4 (Johns) pg 130-end.

*Read Real-World Case in workbook.

*Do Discussion Questions #1-4 in the workbook

*Do Application Exercise #3  (Turn in answers via InsideNC).

*Do Emerging Technology assignment.

*Do EMR research assignment

*Read Chapter 2 (Amatayakul) pg 25-43.

*Compare the Human Body Systems and the EHR. 

(Turn in  answers via InsideNC). 

4

(09/20/09)

 

 

100 pts

Fundamentals of Information Systems

(Johns)

*Read Chapter 16 pg 741-791.

* Visit www.cchit.org for the Certification Commission on Health Information Technology

that provides both certification criteria for EHRs (initially for physician offices) as well

as test scenarios. The HL7 web site, www.hl7.org/ehr provides the EHR System.  Post your findings to the discussion board.

*Read Real-World Case.

*Do Discussion Questions #1-5 and Application Exercise 2d. in the workbook (Turn in answers via

   InsideNC). 

*Do Ch 16 test.

*Do Chapter review

5

(09/27/09)

 

 

100 pts

Introduction to Healthcare Information Systems

(Johns)

*Read Chapter 17 pg 793 to 806.

*Do Application Exercises 1 & 2 in workbook.

*As HIM director, you are helping to

   prepare your facility for implementation of a new

   healthcare information system. 

         *Describe the typical milestones you would

          expect in the implementation process. (Turn

          in answers via InsideNC).

*Search the online library resources for an article describing health information systems, or other issues related to the electronic health record.  Summarize the article and relay what you learned or was interesting in the article, use proper grammar/spelling and cite your work.  (Turn in via file exchange on InsideNC)

6

(10/04/09)

 

 

 

100 pts

Introduction to Healthcare Information Systems

(Johns)

*Read Chapter 17 pg 807 to pg

  824.

*Do Application Exercises 3 & 4 in workbook.  

*Do Real-World Case and Matching assignment.

*Do a compare and contrast paper from the information on page 817.

  Use your book and/or other sources. 

  Include patient-specific  information, aggregate

   information, expert knowledge-based information                     and comparative information. (Turn in answers via InsideNC).

*Go to http://himcareers.ahima.org/ (located under bookmarks) and find job/career information that includes EHR – describe the position, pay scale if available and other interesting information, post to the discussion board.

7

(10/11/09)

 

 

 

100 pts

Challenges to EHR Adoption

(Amatayakul)

*Read Chapter 3 pg 45-61

*Describe five barriers to EHR adoption.

*Describe Health on the Net and its associated principles. (Turn in answers via InsideNC).

*Go out to the e-HIM virtual lab and complete the assignment for ATHENS/Cerner electronic chart tracking to analyze the importance of timely chart tracking.

*Take Chapter 3 Exam.

8

(10/18/09)

 

 

 

 

100 pts

Roles in EHR Design and Implementation

(Amatayakul)

*Read Chapter 4 pg 65-94

*Explain the importance of medical staff ownership.

*Develop a table showing the roles of the EHR steering committee and the purpose of each.

*Describe the five critical skills for a project manager to posses.

*Explain change management and describe four strategies associated with this.   (Turn in answers via InsideNC).

*Go to e-HIM virtual lab and complete the ATHENS/Cerner lab activity for patient diagnosis, vitals, reports types for the assigned patient and list the last three people on the audit trail. 

Final

(due date)

 

 

150 pts

MIDTERM PAPER

*Download and Read the Article “EHR Around the World.”

*Compose a 2-3 page paper summarizing the major points of the article and any insight or feelings you gathered after reading this.  Complete details are

  under the midterm exam instructions in InsideNC.

*Take the midterm exam over chapters from your Johns text.

9

(10/25/09)

 

 

 

100 pts

EHR Goal Setting and Impact on Quality

(Amatayakul)

 

Strategic Planning for the EHR Migration Path

(Amatayakul)

*Read Chapter 5 pg 97-122.

*Describe the benefits expectation

  setting values.

*Describe the aspects of a benefits realization study.

*Take Chapter 5 Exam.

*Read Chapter 6 pg 125-149.

*Briefly describe the Gartner generations.

*Describe the five strategies for successful EHR planning.

*Search library articles via college library, Medline or other library source for articles on strategic planning or goal setting.  Explain how this article relates to the topic and can apply to electronic health record in a one page summary.

*Take Chapter 6 Exam.  (Turn in answers via InsideNC).

10

(11/01/09)

 

 

100 pts

Information Systems for Managerial and Clinical Support

(Johns)

* Read Chapter 18 pg 827-845.

* Search http://himcareers.ahima.org/ for an article relating to the EHR.  Post your findings to the discussion board in a summary of the article, what you learned or your reaction to it in proper grammar/spelling and works cited.

* Read Real World Case in workbook.

*Do Discussion Questions #1-3.

*Do Application Exercise 3 between

  two vendors and share your

  information with your classmates.

  (Submit answers via Collaboration

  (discussion board). 

*Search the web & web research

 assignment

*Structured vs unstructured

 decisions assignment.

*Do chapter reivew in workbook.

Project

11

(11/08/09)

 

 

 

 

 

100 pts

Healthcare Process Assessment

(Amatayakul)

 

Functional Needs Assessment

(Amatayakul)

* Read Chapter 7 pg 151-173.

* Describe each of the process

   assessment techniques.

*Analyze the role of HIM and IT professionals in Process Assessment.

*Read Chapter 8 pg 175-192.

*You are in charge of putting

  together a presentation on your

  functional needs assessment at

  your facility.  Your presentation

  should include identification of

  individual/institutional users,

  Health Level Seven, Certification

  Commission on Health Information

  Technology, as well other

  information in the chapter to give a
  comprehensive presentation.  You

  may use a power-point

  presentation or other effective

  method.  (Turn in answers via

  InsideNC).

12

(11/15/09)

 

 

 

100 pts

Data Infrastructure Assessment

(Amatayakul)

 

Information Technology and Systems Infrastructure Assessment

(Amatayakul)

*Read Chapter 9 pg 195-219

*Explain each of the following:

-controlled vocabulary

-data architecture

-data infrastructure

-data mining

-health plan employer data and information (HEDIS)

-online analytical processing (OLAP)

-online transaction processing (OLTP)

-optical character recognition (OCR)

-ORYX

-syntax

*Read Chapter 10 pg 223-254

*Describe primary and secondary storage devices with examples of each.

*Describe four of the most typical private network configurations.

*Compare and contrast the physical and logical topologies.

*Describe HIPAA security threats. (Turn in answers via InsideNC).

* Search the online library, Medline or AHIMA for articles regarding a breech of confidentiality, security, privacy or other errors that occurred with an electronic health record.  Summarize the article breech and what could have been done to prevent the error.

13

(11/22/09)

 

 

 

100 pts

Return on Investment

(Amatayakul)

 

EHR Selection and Contract Negotiation

(Amatayakul)

*Read Chapter 11 pg 257-281

*Compose a table using the headings from Figure   11.1 in column 1, the name of the corresponding step in column 2 and a description in column 3.

*Describe cost-benefit analysis.

*Read Chapter 12 pg 283-304

*Describe the concept best of breed, best of fit and best of suite.

*Explain due diligence and contract

  negotiation.  (Turn in answers via

  InsideNC).

14

(11/14/09)

 

 

 

 

 

EHR Project Management

(Amatayakul)

 

EHR Selection and Contract Negotiation

(Amatayakul)

 

EHR System Implementation and Ongoing Maintenance

(Amatayakul)

*Read Chapter 13 pg 307-333

*Complete the EHR project

  manager checklist on page 312 and analyze why you would or  would not be a good project manager.  Explain your findings and one possible change you

  could make.

*Reflect on a time when you were involved in a meeting where one of the 7 sins of deadly meetings

  occurred as listed in Figure 13.4.

  Describe the sin that occurred and a possible salvation you could use in the future.

*Describe the role of risk management in EHR project

  management.

*Read Chapter 14 pg 335-357

*Describe the advantages and disadvantages from two turnover and two conversation strategies.

*Provide a description for one type of system test.  (Turn in answers via InsideNC).

 15

(12/06/09)

 

 

100 pts

EHR Bride Technologies

(Amatayakul)

 

Acute Care EHR Applications

(Amatayakul)

*Read Chapter 15 pg 359-372

*Describe three HIM operational functions impacted by the hybrid  record.

*Describe how the hybrid record impacts the quality of care and documentation.

*Compose a memo to your facility administrator regarding documentation management

  issues.  Inform administration on version control, access controls/audit trails, work flow, automated forms, electronic signature and any other information necessary for you to provide a comprehensive memo.

*Read Chapter 16 pg 375-400

*Describe EHR components for hospitals.

*Provide one example of why rules engines are useful in acute care EHR applications.  (Turn in

  answers via InsideNC).

16

(12/13/09)

 

 

 

100 pts

Ambulatory Care EHR Applications

(Amatayakul)

 

Growing Momentum for Health Information Exchange

(Amatayakul)

*Read Chapter 17 pg 402-425

*Describe three EHR functions for

  ambulatory care.

*Compare E-prescribing vs CPOE.

*Read Chapter 18 pg 427-453

*Describe Regional Health Information Organizations.

*Do a web search on health information exchange.

  Summarize your findings in a minimum of two paragraphs with a minimum of one source cited.

*Go out to e-HIM Virtual Lab and complete the assignment for tools for analysis of data integrity and resolving duplicate records in the electronic record via QuadraMed MPI suite.

  (Turn in answers via InsideNC).

Final

(12/17/09)

 

 

 

238 pts

FINAL EXAM - essay

*Complete the comprehensive final

  under InsideNC.   Concepts covered include a random selection from:

1.    Concept and evolution of the electronic health record (EHR).

2.    Health care data sets  and purpose.

3.    Differentiation between heath information type, content, and forms of media.

4.    Differentiation between health record data definitions, vocabularies, terminologies and dictionaries.

5.    Computer concepts and major operating systems.

6.    Communication and internet.

7.    Components of health information.

8.    Archival, retrieval and imaging systems.

9.    Elements of system architecture and design.

10. System acquisition and evaluation.

11. Concepts in data security.

12. Concepts of data integrity.

13. Data recovery and risk management issues.

(Available via InsideNC).

 

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS/GRADING/STUDENT REQUIREMENTS

AND METHODS OF EVALUATION

The instructional methods used include internet lecture, CD activities, workbook completion, group assignments, and collaborative projects. Students will be required to complete reading assignments, chapter reviews, and case studies, participate in threaded discussions with other classmates on topics determined by instructor, complete assignments and examinations of knowledge, and demonstrate skill competency using a specific internet platform. Possible points for written reports, case studies, projects, and exams will vary and tracking of your total points for each assignment or exam will be available on the course Website.  Class assignments will be evaluated for accuracy, content, form, knowledge of subject matter, application of knowledge and ability to communicate effectively.

Students must participate in all activities, as well as accurately complete assignments and examinations within the internet platform in a timely manner. Therefore it is imperative that students have a reliable internet provider, computer hardware, and email address to succeed in this course. 

 

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS AND METHOD OF EVALUATION

Evaluation is directly related to the performance objectives.

 

Performance is measured by examination, assignments, and/or quizzes.

 

The letter grade is based on the percentage of the total points earned throughout the semester based on the following scale:

 

A = 90 to 100%

B = 80 to 89%

C = 70 to 79%

D = 60 to 69%

F = 59% and below

 

Assignments                     75 %

Students will be required to complete weekly assignments.  Each assignment will be worth a minimum of 50 and a maximum total of 100 points.

 

Midterm/Final Examination          25%

Students will take comprehensive midterm and final examinations.  The examination will be worth 150 midterm and 238 final points. 

 

550 pts. Questions/Assignments

338 pts. Exams

 

Total Points Possible:  1938

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Absences that occur due to students participating in official college activities are excused. Students who are excused will be given reasonable opportunity to make up any missed work or receive substitute assignments from the instructor.  Ultimately it is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor in advance of the planned absence.

 

Unless students are excused by the instructor, they are expected to attend class. Students who are absent for two consecutive weeks (prior to the final drop date) and fail to contact the instructor may be dropped from this class.  If a student is inactive for one-eighth of the total course duration, the instructor has the right, but is not required, to withdraw a student from the course.  Once the student has been dropped for excessive absences, the registrar’s office will send a letter to the student, stating that he or she has been dropped.  A student may petition the chief academic officer for reinstatement by submitting a letter stating valid reasons for the absences within one week of the registrar’s notification.  If the student is reinstated into the class, the instructor and the registrar will be notified.  It is the responsibility of the student to properly drop the course.  Students, who are still enrolled in this class after the final drop date, but fail to participate in class, are at risk for a failing grade.  Your grade will be based on the total points accumulated through the last date of participation.

 

ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT GAIN

Student gain will be determined by student improvement in each of the areas of student competencies.

 

NCCC EMAIL ACCOUNT

Students should set up their NCCC e-mail accounts (which is the only e-mail account NCCC uses for students).  Below is the link to a detailed handout that shows how to set it up. 

   

http://www.neosho.edu/forms/Student_Email_Proceedure.pdf

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
NCCC expects every student to demonstrate ethical behavior with regard to academic pursuits.  Academic integrity in coursework is a specific requirement.  Definitions, examples, and possible consequences for violations of Academic Integrity, as well as the appeals process, can be found in the College Catalog, Student Handbook, and/or Code of Student Conduct and Discipline.

 

This online class allows you to work independently or with other students in the class.  For your own benefit, you need to complete all assignments on your own unless otherwise indicated.  Do not use the work of others and submit it as your own.  You may refer to the textbook and resources when taking tests online, however the tests are timed and you may lose points if you exceed the time limit.  The true test of what you learn in this class will be demonstrated when you take the AHIMA certification exam to become a Registered Health Information Technician.  The expectation for this class is for you to be professional and ethical – do your own work.

 

DISCLAIMER:

This syllabus is a broad outline of subject matter intended to be covered.  It does not mean that everything herein will be covered, nor does it limit the content of the class to the material described.  Information and statements in this document are subject to change at the discretion of NCCC.  Because Introduction to Health Information is basic to understanding many of the other courses in the Health Information Technology program, a grade of C or better is required to continue the program.

 

NOTE:

If you are a student with a disability who may need accommodation(s) under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please notify the Director of Advising and Counseling, Chanute Campus, Sanders Hall, 620-431-2820 ext 280 or the Assistant Dean, Ottawa Campus, 785-242-2607 ext 312, as soon as possible.  You will need to bring your documentation for review in order to determine reasonable accommodations, and then we can assist you in arranging any necessary accommodations.

Note:  Information and statements in this document are subject to change at the discretion of NCCC.  Changes will be published in writing and made available to students.