Course Descriptions of Health Care Information at Wallace State College

HIT 151 Health Data Content and Structure. 3 hrs.

This course is an introduction to the health information technology (HIT) profession and its basic skill requirements. This course includes an introduction to the content, use and structure of health care data and data sets and how these components relate to primary and secondary record systems. Student outcomes include mastery of basic concepts and functions in HIT including storage and retrieval systems, documentation requirements, abstracting, quantitative and qualitative analysis, registries and indexes, and forms and screen design.

HIT 152 Skills Development Laboratory I. 1 hr.

This course allows the student to demonstrate basic competencies acquired in course work with on-campus laboratory experience. Emphasis is on development of basic HIT competencies. Student competency is demonstrated by application of basic skills covered in theory and laboratory classes.

HIT 153 Health Care Delivery Systems. 3 hrs.

PREREQUISITE: Admission to program and permission of instructor.

This course includes a review of health care delivery systems. Course focus is on information management practices of agencies that provide health services in ambulatory care, home health care, hospice, long term care, mental health, and other alternate care systems. Student competency includes the ability to describe and contrast the structure of health services in relation to operational and accrediting agency standards, and the role of the health information practitioner in each of these settings.

HIT 155 Health Care Statistics. 2 hrs.

PREREQUISITE: Admission to program and permission of instructor.

This course covers the fundamental concepts of descriptive statistics in health care settings. Emphasis is on the effective use, collection, arrangement, presentation and verification of health care data. Student competency includes proficiency in the computation and interpretation of commonly computed health care statistics, report generation, data display, and data analysis.

HIT 156 Health Care Statistics Laboratory. 1 hr.

This course includes development of skills presented in health care statistics theory classes. This course allows the student to demonstrate proficiency with fundamental concepts of descriptive health care statistics. Student outcome is measured by demonstrated computation of commonly computed statistics, report generation, data display, and statistical analysis.

HIT 160 HIT Clinical Practice I. 1 hr.

This course allows the student to demonstrate basic competencies acquired in previous course work with on-site and on-campus laboratory experience. This course requires student practice in health information technology in a health care facility. Student competency is demonstrated by application of basic skills covered in theory and laboratory classes.

HIT 170 Medical Transcription. 2 hrs.

PREREQUISITE: Admission to program and permission of instructor.

This course introduces transcription equipment and typical medical dictation. Emphasis is placed on efficient use of equipment, use of reference materials, correct punctuation, capitalization, spelling, editing, proofreading, and various report formats. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence in transcribing physicians' dictation.

HIT 221 HIT Computer Applications. 2 hrs.

PREREQUISITE: Admission to program and permission of instructor.

This course is a survey of computer usage in health care facilities with emphasis on data security and integrity in health information systems (administrative, patient registration, etc.). Course instruction focuses on concepts of computer technology related to health care and the tools and techniques for collecting, storing, and retrieving health care data. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of and competence in the use of various health information specific software applications.

HIT 222 HIT Computer Applications Laboratory. 1 hr.

PREREQUISITE: Admission to program and permission of instructor.

This course is designed to provide the opportunity to apply HIT computer applications skills in the on-campus laboratory. Emphasis includes concentration in the use of computer technology in collecting, storing, retrieving, reporting, and displaying health care data. Upon completion, student should be able to demonstrate specific computer skills in these areas.

HIT 230 Medical Coding Systems I. 3 hrs.

PREREQUISITE: Admission to program and permission of instructor.

This course is intended to develop an understanding of coding and classification systems in order to assign valid diagnostic and procedure codes. Instruction includes description of classification and nomenclature systems; coding diagnoses and procedures; sequencing codes; analyzing actual medical records to identify data elements to be coded; and validating coded clinical information. Student competency includes demonstration of coding principles and applications (manual and/or computer assisted).

HIT 231 Medical Coding Skills Laboratory I. 1 hr.

PREREQUISITE: Admission to program and permission of instructor.

This course provides laboratory practice in medical coding. This course allows the student to become proficient at skills learned in classification and coding systems theory classes. Student competency is demonstrated by accuracy in medical coding.

HIT 232 Medical Coding Systems II. 3 hrs.

PREREQUISITE: Admission to program and permission of instructor.

This course is a continuation of Medical Coding Systems I which is intended to develop an understanding of coding and classification systems in order to assign valid diagnostic and procedure codes. Instruction includes coding diagnoses and procedures; sequencing codes; analyzing actual medical records to identify data elements to be coded; validating coded clinical information, DRG assignment and case mix/severity of illness data. Student competency includes demonstration of coding principles and applications (manual and/or computer assisted).

HIT 233 Medical Coding Skills Laboratory II. 1 hr.

PREREQUISITE: Admission to program and permission of instructor.

This course provides laboratory experience in medical coding. This course allows the student to become proficient at skills learned in medical coding systems theory classes. Student competency is demonstrated by accuracy and speed in medical coding simulation.

HIT 254 Organizational Improvement. 3 hrs.

PREREQUISITE: Admission to program and permission of instructor.

This course is a study of the purpose and principles of improving organizational performance through quality assessment and utilizational management. Topics include use of quality improvement tools; data collection, display, analysis, and reporting methods; resource and risk management techniques; clinical critical paths in case management; and application of accreditation and licensing standards. Student outcomes include demonstrated proficiency in the use of quality improvement techniques and application of accrediting agency standards.

HIT 255 Principles of Supervision in HIT. 3 hrs.

PREREQUISITE: Admission to program and permission of instructor.

This course is an introduction to principles of organization and supervision in a health information department. This course focuses on specific human resource management functions including communication, motivation, team building, budgeting, staff scheduling, productivity reporting, policy and procedure development, ergonomics, equipment selection, and marketing health information department services. Student competency includes demonstration of knowledge of human resource functions and application of supervisory skills.

HIT 260 Preceptorship for HIT. 3 hrs.

PREREQUISITE: Admission to program and permission of instructor.

This course allows the student to correlate the experience of previous courses with on-site and on-campus laboratory learning experience. Emphasis is placed on application of all previous course work and orientation to all aspects of practice in a health information management department of a health care facility. Student competency is demonstrated by application of skills covered in theory and laboratory classes.

HIT 283 Medical Coding Preceptorship. 2 hrs.

PREREQUISITE: Admission to program and permission of instructor.

This course provides experience in medical coding. This course allows the student to demonstrate basic competencies acquired in previous medical coding course work with on-site and on-campus laboratory experience. Student competency includes demonstrated medical coding proficiency.

HIT 285 Medical Coding With Computers. 1 hr.

PREREQUISITE: Admission to program and permission of instructor.

This course is a survey of computer usage in medical coding and classification. Course emphasis is on applying coding techniques using computer technology. Upon completion, student competency should be demonstrated by proficiency in use of the computer in medical coding.

HIT 291 HIT Seminar (Exam Preparation). 1 hr.

This course is an extensive review of health information technology skills. Course work includes a review of various aspects of health information technology. Student outcomes include demonstrated understanding of the topics covered in this course.

HIT 292 HIT Exam Review. 2 hrs.

HIT 293 Special Topics in HIT I. 1 hr.

This course includes specialized study on current topics and issues in the field of health information technology. Health information topics discussed are planned jointly by students and faculty. Student outcomes include demonstrated understanding of the topics covered in this course.

HIT 294 Special Topics in HIT II. 2 hrs.

This course includes specialized study on current topics and issues in the field of health information technology. Health information topics discussed may include quality assessment, emerging technology, security and control programs, risk assessment, and/or data analysis techniques. Student outcomes include demonstrated understanding of the topics covered in this course.

HIT 295 Special Topics in HIT III. 3 hrs.

This course is designed to familiarize the student with medical vocabulary used in coding and transcription. Emphasis is on the correct spelling, definition, and pronunciation of medical terms related to disease, treatment, anatomy and physiology. Upon completion, the student should be able to spell, define, and correctly use a number of terms chosen by the instructor.

This course introduces transcription equipment and typical medical dictation. Emphasis is placed on efficient use of equipment, use of reference materials, correct punctuation, capitalization, spelling, editing, proofreading, and report formatting. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence in transcribing physician's dictation.

This course involves word processing of highly complex medical reports common to acute care and other health care facilities. Emphasis is placed on speed and accuracy of medical transcription. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate speed and competence in transcribing physician's dictation.

This course is designed to enable the student to use the touch method of keyboarding through classroom instruction and outside lab. Emphasis is on speed and accuracy in keying alphabetic, symbol, and numeric information using the typewriter or microcomputer keyboard. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate proper technique and an acceptable rate of speed and accuracy, as defined by the course syllabus, in the production of basic business documents such as memos, letters, reports, and tables.

MTR 275 Word Processing. 3 hrs.

This course is designed to provide the student with basic word processing skills through classroom instruction and outside lab. Emphasis is on the utilization of software features to create, edit, and print common office documents. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to use industry-standard software to generate appropriately formatted, accurate, and attractive business documents such as memos, letters and reports.

PREREQUISITE: BIO 103 or Biology Placement Test and BIO 201 or Biology Placement Test.

Human Anatomy and Physiology II covers the structure and function of the human body. Included is a study of basic nutrition, basic principles of water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance, the endocrine, respiratory, digestive, excretory, cardiovascular, lymphatic, and reproductive systems. Dissection, histological studies, and physiology are featured in the laboratory experience. A 120 minute laboratory is required.

This course is an introduction to the most common software applications of microcomputers and includes 'hands-on' use of microcomputers and some of the major commercial software. These software packages should include typical features of office suites, such as word processing, spreadsheets, database systems, and other features found in current software packages. Upon completion, students will understand common applications and be able to utilize selected features of these packages.

PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of ENG 093; or a score of 42 or better on the English section of ASSET; or a score of 20 or better on the ACT (or equivalent SAT score).

English Composition I provides instruction and practice in the writing of at least six (6) extended compositions and the development of analytical and critical reading skills and basic reference and documentation skills in the composition process. English Composition I may include instruction and practice in library usage.

English Composition II provides instruction and practice in the writing of six (6) formal, analytical essays, at least one of which is a research project using outside sources and/or references effectively and legally. Additionally, English Composition II provides instruction in the development of analytical and critical reading skills in the composition process. English Composition II may include instruction and practice in library usage.

This course provides practical applications of mathematics and includes selected topics from consumer math and algebra. Some types included are integers, percent, interest, ratio and proportion, metric system, probability, linear equations, and problem solving. This is a terminal course designed for students seeking an AAS degree and does not meet the general core requirement for mathematics.

This course is designed for general education and for all students in education programs except those who will concentrate on science or mathematics. Emphasis is on the structure of the number system from the integers to the real numbers, logic, numeration systems, prime numbers, basic concepts of algebra, elementary probability and statistics, ratio, proportion and percent, graphs, informal geometry, and the metric system. This course does not apply toward the general core requirement for mathematics.