HIM 320: Electronic Health Records and Health Information Exchange

Course Description

This course will focus on the basics of electronic health records and health information exchanges. Students will learn the purpose, design, and function of these systems along with the legal and regulatory guidelines. Emphasis will be placed on the organizational demands and healthcare user needs. Students will learn through labs and hands-on opportunities to use real EHR software.

(3 credits)

This course meets certain CAHIIM competencies for HIM Majors.

Prerequisites

  • ENG 101: English Composition 1
  • ENG 102: English Composition 2

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  1. Identify the major components of an EHR.
  2. Understand the workflow of information in an EHR.
  3. Discuss coded data and interoperability.
  4. Provide examples of EHR decision support.
  5. Enter, edit and retrieve patient data using an EHR.
  6. Define Meaningful Use criteria.
  7. Interpret HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules as they apply to EHR and HIE.
  8. Discuss the HITECH Act in relation to EHR and HIE creation.
  9. Explain the relationship between EHRs and HIEs.
  10. Compare/contrast paper records and EHRs.
  11. Identify challenges and barriers to EHR and HIE implementation and success.
  12. Identify and describe advanced components of EHRs such as CPOE, Problem Lists, Flow Sheets and others.
  13. Analyze and respond to the information needs of internal and external customers throughout the continuum of healthcare services.
  14. Revise policies and procedures to comply with the changing health Information regulations.
  15. Translate and interpret health information for consumers and their caregivers.
  16. Construct and maintain the standardization of data dictionaries to meet the needs of the enterprise.
  17. Demonstrate compliance with internal and external data dictionary requirements.

Course Activities and Grading

Note: A "C" grade or higher must be earned to pass this course.

Letter GradePercentage
A93.0-100.0 
A -90.0-92.9 
B+87.0-89.9 
B83.0-86.9 
B -80.0-82.9 
C +77.0-79.9 
C73.0-76.9 
F72.99% and below



AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

20%

Quizzes (Weeks 1-7)

25%

Lab Assignments (Weeks 2-7)

50%

Competency Assigment (Weeks 6 & 8 )

5%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • Oachs, P. and Waters, A. Health Information Management Concepts, Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Chicago, IL: American Health Information Management Association, 2020. ISBN-10: 1-58426-725-9 or ISBN-13: 978-1-58426-725-6
    Note: This textbook is used in several HIM courses and should also be saved for preparation for the RHIA exam.
  • EHR Go Lab Access.  Archetype Innovations. Students can choose length of subscription (12 weeks to 1 year – it will be used in some other courses). 

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1,2,3,4

Topics: Overview of Electronic Health Records; Meaningful Use

  • Complete assigned reading
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • EHR GO lab: EHR Orientation
  • Short paper on Meaningful Use

2

1,2,3,8

Topic: Introduction to EHR Software; Benefits of Health IT

  • Complete assigned reading
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • EHR Go lab:  EHR Documentation Standards
  • EHR Go lab: The Power of the EHR

3

1,2,3,5

Topic: Communication and Terminology of the EHR

  • Reading:
  • Oachs and Watters:  Chapter 12, pages 373 (EHR Funtionality and Technology) through 384
  • Health IT Terminology:  https://www.healthit.gov/topic/health-it-and-health-information-exchange-basics/glossary
  • Complete assigned reading
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • EHR Go lab:  Health Information Terminology
  • EHR Go Lab:  Communication in the EHR

4

2,3,5

Topics: HITECH and the ONC

  • Complete assigned reading
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • EHR Go lab: HITECH and the History of EHR’s

5

2,3,9,11

Topics: Clinical Documentation and Management Tasks; Data Dictionaries

  • Complete assigned reading
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • EHR Go lab:  Introduction to Chart Deficiencies
  • Competency Assignment: Data Dictionaries

6

2,10

Topics: Data Management and Analytics; Clinical Decision Support Systems and Quality Improvement

  • Complete assigned reading
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • EHR Go Lab: Introduction to Clinical Reminders
  • EHR Go Lab: Implementing Clinical Decision Support

7

2,6,8

Topics: Health Information Exchange (HIE)

  • Readings:
  • Oachs and Watters:  Chapter 12, pages 285-402
  • Health Information Exchange https://www.healthit.gov/topic/health-it-and-health-information-exchange-basics/health-information-exchange Be sure to expand the Read More tabs for the full information
  • HIE Slick Sheet
  • Complete Assigned Reading
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • EHR Go Lab: Health Information Exchange
  • Competency Assignment: HIE
 8 2,10

Topic: Consumer Health Informatics

  • Complete Assigned Reading
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Chapter 14 Quiz
  • EHR Go – Introductory Evaluation
  • Complete Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.