HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Programs: AS-5480 & AAS-5480

Basic Principles of Disease

CGS 1061C Introduction to Computers and Information Systems
3 hrs., 3 credits.
Students will learn the basic terminology associated with computers with a special emphasis on the micro. They will also become familiar with word processing, spreadsheets, Powerpoint, and the Windows environment. Hands-on labs will be used to reinforce class work. For this class, the laboratory time required averages 3 hours per week.

CGS 1100 Business Applications on Microcomputers
3 hrs., 3 credits. Prerequisite or with instructor's permission
Students will learn how microcomputers can be used as tools in the solution of business-related problems. Specifically, Microsoft Office Suite (in a non-secretarial environment) will be taught. This will give the student the capability of using these techniques in the study of other courses in computer information systems as well as in other programs. For this course, the laboratory time required averages 3 hours per week. Hands-on labs will be used to reinforce class work.

HIM 1000C: Fundamental Applications of Health Information Management
4 hrs., 3 credits. Prerequisites: HSC 1531, CGS 1100,
BSC 2085C; Corequisite: BSC 2086C.
This course will introduce the student to the essential application principles of Health Information Management. The history of the Health Information Management profession in correlation with the present and future career opportunities will be discussed. The student will be introduced to the health care organizations and the licensing/accrediting bodies. Content of the acute care health record including form design, formats, and documentation requirements will be investigated. Master patient index, numbering and filing systems, will be emphasized. Laboratory components will emphasize assembly/analysis of the patient record; acute care record content requirements; maintenance of filing systems; and master patient index systems. Confidential and ethical issues of patient's health care information will be covered.

HIM1400C: Health Care Delivery Systems
2 hrs., 2 credits. Prerequisites: HIM 1000C
Health care delivery systems including long term, sub-acute, rehabilitation, outpatient services, behavioral medicine, hospice and medical office management will be researched. Regulatory, licensing, accrediting agencies, and health care data sets will be compared. The students will be introduced to the dynamics and effects of Managed Care on health care delivery systems. Record retention, storage options, and risk management issues will also be covered. Lab components of this class will bring together practical applications learned in HIM 1000C and HIM 1400C.

HIM 1012 Legal Aspects of Health Information Management
2hrs., 2 credits. Corequisite: HIM 1000C
The structure of the court system and legislative processes will be discussed. Patient rights, advance directives, and retention guidelines will be covered. In-depth study will be given to federal, and state laws governing the use and release of health information documents/records.

HIM 1222C Basic ICD-9-CM Coding Guidelines & Principles
6 hrs., 3 credits. Prerequisites: HIM 1000C, HSC 2532 and BSC 2086C
Principle applications for coding of disease processes, identified conditions, and procedures in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases is the focus of this course. Appropriate code selection and sequencing will be practiced. This is a fast paced course which requires extensive work outside of the class.

HIM 1800L HIM Fundamental Application Professional Practicum
2 credits. Prerequisites: HIM1400C and HIM 1012
This practicum will provide students with a supervised experience in an assigned health care facility's Health Information Management (HIM) department. This entry level practicum will provide students with a strong foundation in the technical aspects of HIM. Emphasis will be placed on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of assembly/analysis of inpatient/outpatient records; filing and retrieval of health care records/documents; and the medico-legal procedures/processes. Manual and automated systems for performing the above functions will be practiced. The student will spend a minimum of 96 contact hours at the assigned facility. Students should be prepared to work 1 day a week at the assigned facility.

HIM 2213C Health Care Statistics
2hrs., 2 credits. Prerequisites: HIM 1000C and MTB 1103
This class will provide students with a working knowledge of terms, definitions, and formulas used to compute statistical information used within healthcare settings. The student will compute common health care statistics and interpret statistical/reimbursement data. Health care indexes and registries will also be investigated.

HIM 2211C HIS & Data Management
2 hrs., 1 credit. Prerequisites: CGS 1100, HIM 1400C and HIM 1800L
Computer systems in health care will be discussed with emphasis on systems encountered by health information departments. Clinical data repositories, community health information networks, telemedicine, transcription, the evolvement/advancement of computerized medical record, and optical disc, as well as other automated health care advances, will be discussed. Creating and maintaining databases, alternative methods for formatting and presenting data will be applied. The importance of data integrity and the effects on health care organizations will be emphasized.

HIM 2234C Advanced ICD-9-CM Coding & Reimbursement Methodologies
6 hrs., 3 credits. Prerequisites: HIM 2234C and HIM 1400C
This advanced coding course is designed to enhance the student's quality of coding; introduce chart application and DRG logic through practical application. Manual and automated coding and grouping and will be practiced. The Prospective Payment System, case mix analysis, Peer Review Organization, third party payors, and billing systems will also be discussed.

HIM 2256C CPT Coding Principles and Reimbursement Methodologies
7 hrs., 4 credits Prerequisites: BSC 2086C and HIM 1222C
The rules and regulations governing outpatient, ambulatory, ancillary, physician, and chargemaster coding will be emphasized . Skills for accurate and optimal coding of medical, surgical, anesthesia, radiology, laboratory, and pathology will be practiced. APC's, RBRVS, fee schedules, HCPC's II and III will be investigated.

HIM 2512C HIM Management & Supervision
3 hrs., 3 credits. Prerequisites: HIM 1800L and HIM 2256C
Basic supervision/management theories, human relations, motivational skills, supervisory principles and practices will be discussed. Quality Assessment, Performance Improvement Processes, Utilization Management and compliance protocol is investigated. The evolving role of Joint Commission, OIG, Peer Review Organizations and HCFA will be discussed. 


HIM 2820 Data Quality Management Practicum
2 credits. Prerequisites: HIM 2211C, HIM 2512C, HIM 2200C and HIM 2213C
This practicum will focus on coding and reimbursement applications; chart auditing; supervision practices; and work-flow processes. The student will gain experience in the following arenas: Utilization Management, Risk Management, and Quality Assurance. This practicum will include a minimum of 120 contact hours with the facility. The student should be prepared to work 1 day a week at the assigned facility.

HIM 2930 Health Information Technician Review
2 hr., 1 credit. Prerequisite: HIM 2512C
This course is a comprehensive review course that will assist the student in preparing for the accreditation exam as well as preparation into the HIM field.

HSC1000 Introduction to Allied Health
1 hr., 1 credit.
This course orients the student to the health care delivery system and responsible members of the patient care teams. Emphasis is placed on patient/professional communications, interpersonal skills, critical thinking and characteristics of a successful health care professional. Ethical and legal issues, as well as basic patient care skills common to all health care occupations, are emphasized.

HSC 1531 Medical Terminology
2 hrs., 2 credits.
Students will survey and become proficient in the use of medical and anatomical terminology, including definitions, word construction and analysis of disease, operative procedure, laboratory, diagnostic and treatment terms, and abbreviations as reflected in medical documentation. This course is required for Health Information Technology, Physical Therapy Assistant, Radiography and Occupational Therapy Assistant programs of study.

HSC 2532 Advanced Medical Terminology
2 hrs., 2 credits. Prerequisite: HSC 1531
A comprehensive study of terms used by health care practitioners to describe laboratory, radiology, pathology procedures and pharmacological products by body systems. Other topics covered are antibiotics, antiviral drugs, IV fluids, blood products, anesthetics and chemotherapeutic agents.

HSC 2554 Basic Principles of Disease
3 hrs., 3 credits. Prerequisite: BSC 2086C
This course is an integrated approach into the understanding of specific human diseases. The course will cover disease descriptions, etiology, signs and symptoms, and diagnoses as well as treatment, prognosis, and prevention of various diseases involving different systems.

OST 1335 Business Communications
3 hrs., 3 credits. Prerequisite: ENC 1101
Students will learn business writing styles using business terminology, punctuation, abbreviations, and number usage. Proofreading, editing, and listening skills will be developed, as well as efficient use of library business reference sources. Students will write a variety of business letters, memos, reports, letters of applications and resumes and will participate in mock job interviews.

To Top of Page