Course Syllabus

 

 

COURSE IDENTIFICATION

Course Prefix/Number:                                               ALHT 205

Course Title:                                                                Healthcare Statistics

Division:                                                                      Outreach and Workforce Development                            

Program:                                                                      Health Information Technology                                 

Credit Hours:                                                              3.0                                                                              

Initiation/Revised Date:                                              Spring 2007       

 

CLASSIFICATION OF INSTRUCTION

Vocational

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course with laboratory components provides students with basic hospital and health statistics including the sources, definitions and calculation of common rates and percentages.  Computerized and manual methods of collection, computation, and presentation of statistical data.  Review of regulatory, accreditation, and vital statistics reporting. 

 

PREREQUISITES AND/OR COREQUISITES

ALHT 110 Health Information Technology, ALHT 120 Health Information Technology Lab, or Instructor consent

 

TEXT/WEBSITE/RESOURCES

Horton, Loretta A. (2006), Calculating and Reporting Healthcare Statistics. 2rd ed.  Chicago, Illinois:  American Health Information Management Association.  (Available at http://www.ahima.org, Product No. 120704).  ISBN 1/58426-129-3.

 

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

 

COURSE OUTCOMES/ COMPETENCIES (as Required):  Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1.      Demonstrate knowledge of the purpose and use of hospital and health statistics.

a.       Explain types, sources, and uses of data used in health care.

b.      Interpret the importance of data quality.

c.       Explain the statistical terminology.

d.      Explain the difference between ratio, proportion, percentage, and rate.

e.       Explain the difference between a surgical procedure and a surgical operation.

f.       Explain the difference between range, variance, and standard deviation.

g.      Compare and explain categorical data:  nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.

h.      Explain the difference between numerical data:  discrete data and continuous data.

2.      Perform statistical computations based on uniform definitions and methodology for health statistics.

a.       Compute and interpret mean, median, and mode.

b.      Compute and explain the daily census, average daily census, and inpatient service days.

c.       Compute and explain the bed/bassinet occupancy ratio.

d.      Compute and explain the length of stay (LOS), average LOS, total LOS, and median LOS.

e.       Explain the conditions under which the median is the preferred measure of central tendency when presenting average LOS.

f.       Determine the difference between fetal, neonatal, post neonatal and infant deaths.

g.      Compute and explain infant mortality and fetal death rates.

h.      Compute and explain maternal death rates and cesarean section rates.

i.        Compute and explain infection and postoperative rates.

j.        Compute and explain the autopsy, gross autopsy, net autopsy, and adjusted hospital autopsy rates.

k.       Compute and explain the range, variance, and standard deviation.

3.      Compile health information statistical reports used for medical and administrative purposes, and which meet the requirements of government regulations and accrediting agencies.

a.       Compute and explain the uses of statistics computed within the hospital and health information management department.

b.      Explain the prospective payment systems and the different types of statistics for the various healthcare organizations.

c.       Compose tables and graphs to depict statistical information.

d.      Compile computerized statistical reports.

4.      Compare and contrast research techniques in order to offer assistance to medical researches, administrative researchers, and health planning researchers.

a.       Assess computerized statistical reports for accuracy.

b.      Recalculate statistics for greater specificity.

                                   

AHIMA DOMAINS

Domain 1:  Health Data Management.

     Subdomain A:  Health Data Structure, Content and Standards

1.      Collect and maintain data sets and databases

Domain 2:  Health Statistics, Biomedical Research and Quality Management

     Subdomain A:  Healthcare Statistics and Research

1.      Abstract and maintain data for clinical indices/databases/registries

2.      Collect, organize, and present data for:

a.       Administrative purposes

b.      Financial purposes

c.       Performance improvement programs

d.      Quality management

   Subdomain B.  Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement

            2.  Present data in verbal and written forms

Domain 3:  Health Services Organization and Delivery

     Subdomain A:  Healthcare Delivery Systems

1.      Comply with accreditation, licensure, and certification standards from government (national, state, and local levels) and private organization (e.g., Joint Commission on the Accreditation of healthcare Organizations [JCAHO])

2.      Apply policies and procedures to comply with the changing regulations among various payment systems for healthcare services such as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), managed care

Domain 4:  Information Technology and Systems

     Subdomain A. Information and Communication Technologies

1.      Use technology, including hardware and software, to ensure data collection, storage, analysis, retrieval and reporting of information.

2.      Use common software applications (e.g., spreadsheets; databases; presentation; email) in the execution of work processes

3.      Use specialized software in the completion of HIM processes

     Subdomain B.  Data, Storage and Retrieval

            5.    Query and generate reports using appropriate software

            6.    Design and generate reports using appropriate software

     Subdomain D. Healthcare Information systems

            1.  Collect and report data on incomplete records and timeliness of record completion

 

COURSE OUTLINE

I.                   Introduction to Health Statistics

II.                Mathematics Review

III.             Patient Census Data

IV.             Percentage of Occupancy

V.                Length of Stay

VI.             Death (Mortality) Rates

VII.          Hospital Autopsies and Autopsy Rates

VIII.       Morbidity and Other Miscellaneous Rates

IX.             Statistics Computed Within the Health Information Management Department

X.                Descriptive Statistics in Health Care

XI.             Presentation of Data

XII.          Inferential Statistics in Health Care

XIII.       Basic Research Principles

 

SCHEDULE

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

 

Week

Topic/Exam

Readings/Activities

1

Introduction to Health Statistics

Chapter 1 / Exercises /Test

2

Glossary of Healthcare Terms – Review definitions

Appendix B

3

Mathematics Review

Chapter 2 / Exercises / Test

4

Patient Census Data

Chapter 3 / Exercises / Test

5

Percentage of Occupancy

Chapter 4 / Exercises / Test

6

Length of Stay

Chapter 5 / Exercises / Test

7

Death (Mortality) Rates

Chapter 6 / Exercises / Test

8

Hospital Autopsies & Autopsy Rates

Chapter 7 / Exercises / Test

9

Morbidity & Other Misc Rates

Chapter 8 / Exercises / Test

10

Statistics Computed W/in the HIM  Dept

Chapter 9 / Exercises

11

Statistics Computed W/in the HIM  Dept

Chapter 9 / Exercises / Test

12

Descriptive Statistics in Health Care

Chapter 10 / Exercises / Test

13

Presentation of Data

Chapter 11 / Exercises / Test

14

Inferential Statistics in Health Care

Chapter 12 / Exercises / Test

15

Basic Research Principles

Chapter 13 / Exercises / Test

16

Vital Statistics

Websites

17

Final

Final

 

 

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS/GRADING/STUDENT REQUIREMENTS

AND METHODS OF EVALUATION

A cumulative point system is used.  Your class assignments will include reading, review questions, written reports, case studies, Website research, projects, practice exercises, discussion questions, chapter quizzes and examinations.  The chapter examinations will be a part of each learning unit and are completed after the unit assignments, and prior to starting the next unit.  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.

 

Class participation is an essential element to your success in this course.  You are expected to complete practice exercises and respond to the discussion questions with at least one posting (5 points).

 

Class assignments - Rounding Numbers:

1.       Percentages should be carried to 3 places and rounded back to 2 places.

2.      Any other number can be carried to 2 places and rounded back to 1 place unless otherwise specified in the instructions.

3.      Label your numbers, i.e. 14.05% not just 14.5; $1.32 not 1.32; 7.6 days not 7.6

 

     (This may not seen critical to this course but it will be critical when you are using numbers during

      your professional career.  This will give you much more clarity than an unlabelled number.)

 

Complete assignments by the due date.  Late assignments will be docked 10% and only accepted 1 day past due date.  Make-ups for exams or assignments are only permitted under special circumstances and with prior approval by the instructor.  Borderline grades will be viewed in terms of timely completion of assignments and class participation.

 

Total points accumulated during the semester will be calculated into a percent and graded on the scale below.

 

 

 

GRADING SCALE

A = 90-100%

            B = 80-89%

            C = 70-79%

            D = 60-69%

            F = 59% and below

 

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.

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.

 

CELL PHONE POLICY:

Student cell phones and pagers must be turned off during class times. Faculty may approve an exception for special circumstances.

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, Student Union, 620-431-2820 ext 280 or the 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.

 

 

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.