This course is designed to assure that students have a basic gasp of microcomputers software. To include:. Operating systems, Word processing, Spreadsheets, and Data base applications

The primary focuses are on microcomputer applications, information systems and software in the healthcare environment. This course will provide a working introduction to the student on the topics of:

• Electronic health information systems for allied health
• Teaching students how the adoption of electronic health record affects them as future health care professionals

Discussion about information systems life cycle, reengineering, and the special needs in healthcare will also be covered.

Entry Level Competencies: Must be able to read and write at a college level, have a willingness to learn, and solid understanding of personal computer applications. 

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

1. Identify, discuss and use important categories of application software; word processing, spreadsheet, database management, and preparation of presentations and graphs.
2. Describe a basic understanding of JCAHO healthcare information technology regulations.
3. Describe the factors that led to the emergence of electronic health records.
4. Describe the functions of electronic health records and explain the advantages they offer over paper-based records.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of how paper records are converted to an electronic health record system.
6. Explain the importance of clinical standards in the development of interoperable electronic health records.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of how electronic health records are used in physician practices and other outpatient settings.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of how electronic health records are used in hospitals.
9. Describe the different types of personal health records and explain how personal health records differ from electronic health records.
10. Demonstrate an understanding of the challenges that electronic health information poses to the privacy and security of patient’s health information.
11. Demonstrate an understanding of how HIPAA privacy and security rules apply and may not provide adequate protection in today’s health care environment.
12. Based on hands-on-experience, describe the benefits of using Practice Partner, a physician practice electronic health record.
13. Effectively utilize information technology and medical terms as they apply to electronic health records
14. Identify concepts that are unique to healthcare information systems.
15. Describe the basic structure of a health information system.
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Possible Assignments Include: (Subject to change each semester. The actual assignments are available in the Syllabus in the Blackboard course site on the first day of classes.)

Your final grade may be based on the following scale. Please note that you must also pass at least several exams in order to pass the course, regardless of your scores on the other assignments.

There are 3 exams in the 8 week course.

There are 6 exams in the 16 week course.

Last Updated: August 15, 2010