HIM 420: Health Care Research and Quality

Course Description

This course will focus on exploring the topics of healthcare research and quality management specifically related to health information and teamwork with other healthcare professionals. The theory, practice, and management of performance and quality improvement processes in healthcare organizations will be addressed. Students will practice using quality management tools, analyzing data, and experiencing communication best practices related to performance improvement projects. All topics will be explored as they relate to accreditation, licensure and other quality standards. Healthcare research techniques will be discussed and practiced as they relate to health information, quality, and the advancement of the health information management profession. (3 credits)

This course meets certain CAHIIM competencies for HIM Majors.

Prerequisites

ENG 101: English Composition 1
ENG 102: English Composition 2
HCA 115: Principles of Health Information Management
HIM 315: Health Care Statistics

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

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

Describe the performance improvement process and quality management tools.
Apply quality management and performance improvement concepts to support facility-wide programs.
Demonstrate the importance of teams in the performance improvement process.
Analyze and present data for quality management and patient care related studies such as utilization review and risk management.
Create graphs and charts used in performance improvement projects.
Evaluate clinical data to identify trends that demonstrate quality healthcare.
Describe adherence to Institutional Review Board policies and procedures.
Apply research methods to case studies and course discussions
Analyze organizational readiness for accreditation, licensing or certification processes.
Interpret and communicate current laws, accreditation, licensure and certification standards related to health information initiatives.
Maintain organizational compliance with regulations and standards
Articulate the role of health information in utilization management, risk management, and case management functions.
Apply change management techniques in performance improvement.

Course Activities and Grading

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

Letter Grade	Percentage
A	93.0-100.0
A -	90.0-92.9
B+	87.0-89.9
B	83.0-86.9
B -	80.0-82.9
C +	77.0-79.9
C	73.0-76.9
F	72.99% and below

Assignments	Weight
Discussion (Weeks 1-8)	10%
Written Assignments	10%
Competency Assigments	25%
Course Project (4 Parts & Presentation, Weeks 3-7)	35%
Final Exam (Week 8)	20%
Total	100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak's online bookstore

Oachs, P. and 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 ISBN includes a FREE AHIMA Student Membership code. This textbook is used in several HIM courses and should be saved for preparation for the RHIA exam.
Shaw, P. L., and Elliot, C. (2019). Quality and Performance Improvement in Healthcare. 7th ed. AHIMA Press. Chicago, IL. ISBN-13: 978-1-58426-663-1

Additional Resources

AHIMA Practice Briefs
Library Resources

Course Schedule

(Note: Course week runs Monday 12:00 am EST - Sunday 11:59 pm EST)

Week	SLOs	Readings and Exercises	Assignments
1	7,8	Topics: Health Care Research and the IRB Reading: HIM Concepts - Chapters 19 & 20 (Focus on IRB information in Ch.21) Quality & Performance - Chapter 20 (pp. 395 & 396) Article - "The Expanding Role of the HIM Professional: Where Research and HIM Roles Intersect" Article - "Bootcamp and Beyond: A Research Journey" Article - "Building an Evidence Base for High Quality" Review Activity: How to Do Research	Read assigned material Participate in the Discussions (Postings must be completed on three separate days throughout the week by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Review the Lecture material Submit Competency Assignment - Compare Research Methodologies (Due by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Submit Competency Assignment - IRB Procedures and Human Subjects (Due by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Complete Practice Quiz (not graded)
2	1,2	Topics: Performance Improvement History, Pioneers of PI, Improvement Opportunities and Customer Satisfaction Reading: Quality & Performance - Introduction, Chapters 1, 2, 3 & 7	Read assigned chapters Participate in the Discussions (Postings must be completed on three separate days throughout the week by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Review the Lecture material Submit Competency Assignment - Critique & Create a Patient Satisfaction Survey (Due by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Complete Practice Quiz (not graded)
3	2,3,13	Topic: Being a Vital Part of the Performance Improvement Team; Organizing and Evaluating PI; Managing PI Projects Reading: Quality & Performance - Chapters 4, 15 & 18	Read assigned chapters Participate in the Discussions (Postings must be completed on three separate days throughout the week by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Review the Lecture material Submit Written Assignment- Ch. 18 Case Study Questions 1-3 (Due by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Submit Course Project Part 1 (Due by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Complete Practice Quiz (not graded)
4	4,5,6	Topics: Performance Improvement Data; Displaying and Communicating Activities and Results Reading: Quality & Performance - Chapters 5 & 6	Read assigned chapters Participate in the Discussions (Postings must be completed on three separate days throughout the week by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Review the Lecture material Submit Course Project Part 2 (Due by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Complete Practice Quiz (not graded)
5	2,4,5,12	Topics: Utilization Management, Patient Safety, and Risk Management Reading: Quality & Performance - Chapters 8, 9, 10 & 11	Read assigned chapters Participate in the Discussions (Postings must be completed on three separate days throughout the week by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Review the Lecture material Submit Assignment - Minimizing Risk (Due by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Submit Course Project Part 3 (Due by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Complete Practice Quiz (not graded)
6	9,10,11	Topics: The Accreditation, Certification, or Licensure Process; Implementing Information Management Tools Reading: Quality & Performance - Chapters 16 & 17	Read assigned chapters Participate in the Discussions (Postings must be completed on three separate days throughout the week by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Review the Lecture material Submit Written Assignment- Ch. 17 Case Study - Evaluate Joint Comission Standards Compliance (Due by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Submit Course Project Part 4 (Due by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Complete Practice Quiz (not graded)
7	13	Topics: Managing Change and Developing Staff Reading: Quality & Performance - Chapters 14 & 19	Read assigned chapters Participate in the Discussions (Postings must be completed on three separate days throughout the week by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Review the Lecture material Submit Written Assignment- Ch. 19 Case Study - Managing & Communicating Change (Due by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Prepare Final Course Project Presentation (Due by Sunday 11:59 pm EST) Complete Practice Quiz (not graded)
8	1-13	Topics: Course Review & Final Exam Reading: Review chapters for final exam	Participate in the Discussions (Postings must be completed on three separate days throughout the week by Saturday 11:59 pm EST) Review the Lecture material Complete Final Exam (Due by Saturday 11:59 pm EST) Course Project Presentation Complete Course Evaluation
8	1-13	Final Exam Chapters 1-11, 14, 16, 17 & 18 SLOs 1-13

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.