Health Information Management Curriculum

General Psychology is a survey of the major psychological topics, theories and approaches to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Overview of computer systems—hardware, operating systems, the Internet, and application software including word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, and databases. Current topics such as the effect of computers on society, and the history and use of computers in business, educational, and other interdisciplinary settings are also studied. This course is not intended to count toward a student’s major field of study in business or computer science.

Intensive study of and practice in writing processes, from invention and researching to drafting, revising, and editing, both individually and collaboratively. Emphasis on effective rhetorical choices, including audience, purpose, arrangement, and style. Focus on writing the academic essay as a vehicle for learning, communicating, and critical analysis.

Introduces basic human communication principles and theories embedded in a variety of contexts including interpersonal, small group, and public speaking.

This course introduces elements of medical terminology such as foundations of words used to describe the human body and its conditions, terminology for medical procedures, and names of commonly prescribed medications. Spelling, pronunciation and meanings of terms used in a professional healthcare setting are covered, as is recognition of common abbreviations.
Prerequisite course: The designated course must be taken prior to any other HIT core courses.

This lecture and lab course should combine all of the elements of BIOL 2301 Anatomy and Physiology I (lecture) and BIOL 2101 Anatomy and Physiology I (lab), including the learning outcomes listed for both courses.

This lecture and lab course should combine all of the elements of BIOL 2302 Anatomy and Physiology II (lecture) and BIOL 2102 Anatomy and Physiology II (lab), including the learning outcomes listed for both courses.

In-depth study and applications of polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions, and systems of equations using matrices. Additional topics such as sequences, series, probability, and conics may be included.

(The designated course must be taken prior to any other HIM core courses)
This course emphasizes the study of the major diseases associated with each body system. It introduces important medical terminology, inflammation and allergy, neoplasia, heredity and disease, dietary factors and diseases, and infectious diseases. Understanding of the Pathophysiology language is explored by reading and interpreting the documentation in patient medical records.

Understanding music through the study of cultural periods, major composers, and musical elements. Illustrated with audio recordings and live performances. (Does not apply to a music major degree).

A survey of the social, political, economic, cultural, and intellectual history of the United States from the pre-Columbian era to the Civil War/Reconstruction period. United States History I includes the study of pre-Columbian, colonial, revolutionary, early national, slavery and sectionalism, and the Civil War/Reconstruction eras. Themes that may be addressed in United States History I include: American settlement and diversity, American culture, religion, civil and human rights, technological change, economic change, immigration and migration, and creation of the federal government.

A survey of the social, political, economic, cultural, and intellectual history of the United States from the Civil War/Reconstruction era to the present. United States History II examines industrialization, immigration, world wars, the Great Depression, Cold War and post-Cold War eras. Themes that may be addressed in United States History II include: American culture, religion, civil and human rights, technological change, economic change, immigration and migration, urbanization and suburbanization, the expansion of the federal government, and the study of U.S. foreign policy.

Collection, analysis, presentation and interpretation of data, and probability. Analysis includes descriptive statistics, correlation and regression, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing. Use of appropriate technology is recommended.

(Federal constitution & topics) Origin and development of the U.S. Constitution, structure and powers of the national government including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, federalism, political participation, the national election process, public policy, civil liberties and civil rights.

(Texas constitution & topics) Origin and development of the Texas constitution, structure and powers of state and local government, federalism and inter-governmental relations, political participation, the election process, public policy, and the political culture of Texas.

A survey of American literature from the period of exploration and settlement to the present. Students will study works of prose, poetry, drama, and fiction in relation to their historical and cultural contexts. Texts will be selected from among a diverse group of authors for what they reflect and reveal about the evolving American experience and character.

Exploration of the expanding role of the HIM professional. Emphasis will be on the organizational structure and delivery of healthcare in hospitals and other healthcare agencies and the associated roles of HIM professionals.

An introduction to the information technology aspects of health information management to include hardware components, systems architecture, operating systems, languages, software applications, tools, and related topics and concepts.

BHIM1301IntroductionandTechnicalAspectsofHealthInformation Management
This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts and techniques for managing and maintaining health record systems. Topics include: record content, format and uses of healthcare data, record systems: storage and retrieval, quantitative analysis of health data, forms design and control, release of information, function of indexes and registers, accreditation, certification and licensure standards applicable to healthcare facilities. In addition, students will be given the opportunity to utilize and practice with current software packages common to the industry such as Practice Fusion.

This course introduces the concepts and management tools used in the analysis of health information systems, including the development of objectives, policies and procedures, benchmarking, workflow, productivity measurement, layout analysis, and project management.

(The designated course must be taken prior to any other HIM core courses)
The study of basic concepts and terminology associated with medication structure, function, interaction, and administration. Emphasis is placed on the mechanism of drug action, uses, adverse effects, contraindications and clinically important drug interactions. Students will review case scenarios to identify diseases associated with medications. Students will also identify medications prescribed for certain diseases.

This course introduces principles and guidelines for using the International Classification of Diseases system to code diagnoses and procedures in an acute care setting. Examples of patient records and exercises using coding manuals and software tools, provide practice in coding and sequencing diagnoses and procedures. History and development of clinical vocabularies and classifications systems are introduced. Application of coding principles to electronic record systems is explored.

This course provides an overview of the scientific process and elements required to conduct health services research. The importance of health services research will be explained. This course will also provide a foundation for Healthcare professionals in reference to research methodologies used to create evidence-based practices, healthcare policies, and programs.

Continued study of ICD-10-CM, CPT 4 and other classification and nomenclatures. The relationship with inpatient and ambulatory care reimbursement systems is also explored.

This course introduces the legal and regulatory issues in healthcare with emphasis on their application to healthcare information services and documentation of care. Course content includes law, ethics and compliance issues associated with health information management. Students explore the rights and responsibilities of providers, employers, payers, and patients in a healthcare context. Students are introduced to legal terminology pertaining to civil liability and the judicial and legislative processes. State and Federal confidentiality laws addressing release of information (ROI) and retention of health information/records are examined. Virtual assignments and/or simulations support experiential learning.

This course provides an in-depth analysis of the concept of an organization-wide electronic health record system. A major focus will be on the analysis of how this technology impacts overall hospital operations from both a clinical and administrative perspective. Laboratory accompanying.

This course addresses quality management processes and performance improvement with an emphasis on health information services. Additional topics presented include: evaluation of patient care and safety, clinical information analysis, integrated quality improvement activities, risk management, utilization management, medical staff organization and function, biomedical research, and compliance.

This course explores the role of a system analyst in a healthcare organization. As the future of HIM professionals, you will learn to recognize and identify problems and opportunities in a healthcare organization that might benefit from the application of information technology. Once identified, a problem is investigated and thoroughly analyzed. A business justification for possible solutions is then performed and presented to management for approval. As a term project, students investigate a real problem in a healthcare organization and recommend the best course of action.

This course examines laws and regulations addressing the management of protected health information (P.H.I.), electronic health records (E.H.R.), and e-discovery guidelines. Coursework includes: discussion of case studies illustrative of the current legal and political environment affecting the health care industry, and developing policies and procedures to ensure compliance.

An introduction to the system life cycle with an emphasis on the role of the HIM professional in the implementation of electronic health record systems.

This course examines the complex financial systems within today’s healthcare environment
and provides an understanding of the basic of health insurance and public funding

programs, managed care contracting, and how services are paid. In addition, the complexity of reimbursement systems and the profound impact they have had on providers and payers, consumers will also be explored.

An introduction to research methods and experimental inquiry to acquaint the student with skills to critique and conduct studies in the health information management domains. The course will also provide the foundation for compiling, analyzing, and displaying statistics related to the delivery of healthcare.

This course examines health records in a variety of healthcare settings and specialty systems. The focus is on health record content and format, regulatory and accreditation requirements, privacy and security, data standards and classification systems, computerized information systems, reimbursement and compliance issues, quality measures and reporting, and current trends affecting specialty care.

This course introduces statistical computations and provides students with assignments for compiling inpatient service days, average length of stay, occupancy rates, and mortality rates. Descriptive and inferential statistics and basic research principles are also explored.

This course builds on the concepts learned in prior courses and offers practical hands-on application to using Electronic Health Record software. The focus is on point-of-care systems, data standards, health information exchange, and personal health records. The course will prepare students to work in an electronic health record environment. Laboratory accompanying.

This course is a synthesis of the health information management curriculum. This synthesis will include: lecture, case studies, and mock RHIA exams. The assignments facilitate the application of health information management expertise and the skills needed for a professional career path.

This is a virtual practicum course that prepares the students before going on-site. The course includes expectations for the PPE and the clinical sites, reviewing the knowledge gained from the previous courses and lab activity to better equip the students prior to an actual PPE course.

This course introduces a broad range of concepts, theories, and practices important for a basic understanding of leadership. Topics focus on various styles and approaches of effective leadership. The course will examine leadership principles in realistic situations and problems such as quality and productivity. It will also examine the role of leadership in achievement of organizational goals.

This is an intensive four-week (144 hrs.) preceptor-guided experience in the administrative aspects of health information management services of an accredited hospital, healthcare system, or alternative healthcare facility. A management project and visits with users of health information (finance, decision support, registries, etc.) are an integral component of this externship experience. A PowerPoint online presentation highlighting the experience is required at the conclusion of the professional management experience.