Course Descriptions
HIT 100
Introduction to Health Information Technology: Hospital Settings
3 Units
Prerequisite: None
Hours: 45 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
This course is an introduction to health records systems in the acute care setting focusing on procedures for completion, maintenance, and preservation of health information. The relationship between health information management and the health care delivery system will also be discussed. Students will become familiar with the concept of accreditation, certification, and licensing of health care facilities with emphasis on the accreditation survey process.
HIT 102
Introduction to Health Information Technology: Alternate Care Settings
2 Units
Prerequisite: None
Hours: 36 hours LEC
This course introduces to the student a multitude of non-acute health care settings available to the health information professional. Emphasis will be placed on the setting, the regulatory issues, documentation practices, reimbursement, information management, quality improvement, utilization management, risk management, the role of the Health Information professional and currents trends in the field.
HIT 110
Medical Legal Aspects of Health Information
2 Units
Prerequisite: HIT 100 with a grade of "C" or better
Hours: 36 hours LEC
This course explores the legal basis for the control, use and release of health information. This concept of consent for treatment and other procedures, as well as the ethical issues involved in the release of health care information will be addressed. Federal and state laws and regulations governing the handling of special health information (psychiatric, substance abuse and HIV/AIDS) will be reviewed.
HIT 120
Basic ICD-CM Coding
2 Units
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: AH 120 and 124
Hours: 27 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
This introductory course covers the basic principles of coding diseases and procedures using the INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF DISEASES, Current Edition, Clinical Modification and the coding handbook for entry-level coders. Only the current ICD edition will be utilized in this course. The impact of coding for reimbursement will be discussed.
HIT 122
Advanced ICD Coding
4 Units
Prerequisite: HIT 120 with a grade of "C" or better
Hours: 54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
This course will address more complex issues related to ICD-9-CM coding. Class lectures and labs will focus on using actual health records, and learning and applying higher level coding skills. The Prospective Payment System and Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) will be introduced as well as coding for prospective payment. Computer encoders and groupers will be emphasized.
HIT 123
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Coding
2 Units
Prerequisite: AH 120 with a grade of "C" or better
Hours: 27 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
The principles and mechanics of coding procedures according to current procedural terminology and its relationship to the Health Care Financing Administration Common Procedure Coding System are taught in this course.
HIT 130
Health Statistics
2 Units
Prerequisite: HIT 100 with a grade of "C" or better.
Hours: 27 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
This course will introduce the principles of health care statistics including the process of abstracting data from medical records, the preparation of administrative and medical reports, the use of statistics in medical research, the applications of automated systems, and the interpretation of reports and the registration of vital statistics. Automated abstracting and vital statistics systems, as well as the use of spreadsheet packages for data display will be introduced.
HIT 140
Computerized Health Information Systems
2 Units
Prerequisite: CISC 302 with a grade of "C" or better
Hours: 27 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
This online course will provide practical experience in the use of software programs commonly used in health information, including master patient index, chart tracking, abstracting, encoders and groupers, release of information, birth registration, and incomplete record management systems. Emphasis will also be placed on the use of spreadsheet and database programs in the manipulation and use of health information.
HIT 150
Continuous Quality Improvement
2 Units
Prerequisite: HIT 130 with a grade of "C" or better .
Hours: 36 hours LEC
This course will provide an overview of Continuous Quality Improvement inherent in the health care industry. Students will explore the history and development of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) efforts in health care. Students will also discuss quality and process improvement techniques applicable to health care. The roles and responsibilities of individuals involved in medical staff peer review, utilization review and risk management will be presented to students. The concept of an organized medical staff will be discussed, as well as the role of the medical staff office. The variety of computer applications available for CQI and Medical Staff Organization (MSO) functions will also be presented to students.
HIT 160
Supervision for the Allied Health Professional
2 Units
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: HIT 170. Grade of "C" or better required to meet corequisite.
Hours: 36 hours LEC
This core course is designed to prepare allied health professionals for supervisory positions. Basic management principles as well as in service education and dealing with difficult behavior in the workplace will be included. Emphasis will be placed on developing organizational charts, policies and procedures, job descriptions, and in service education materials for the health care environment. In addition, students will be exposed to numerous health care-related case studies which deal with communication, conflict resolution, motivation, and interviewing.
HIT 170
Health Information Technology Directed Practice I
3 Units
Prerequisite: HIT 100 and 130 with grades of "C" or better
Hours: 6 hours LEC; 144 hours LAB
Students will experience supervised clinical practice in a health-related institution. They will gain practical experience in data content and structure; collection, storage and retrieval of health information; analysis, interpretation, and presentation of health data; information technology and systems; and various registries and ancillary departments. Students shall have the status of learner and shall not be considered agency employees, nor shall they replace agency staff. Directed Practice is conducted as a non-paid laboratory experience and the student is required to attend the facility eight hours per week during daytime hours. Enrollment is limited to students who have satisfactorily completed a health status examination and TB screening.
HIT 171
Health Information Technology Directed Practice II
3 Units
Prerequisite: HIT 170 with a grade of "C" or better
Hours: 6 hours LEC; 144 hours LAB
Students will experience supervised clinical practice in a health-related agency. Students will gain hands-on experience in data integrity; management; supervision; legal and regulatory issues; release of information; and coding/classification systems. Students will have the status of learner and shall not be considered agency employees, nor shall they replace agency staff. Directed practice is conducted as non-paid laboratory experience and the student is required to attend the facility eight hours per week during daytime hours.
HIT 172
Directed Practice: Health Information Coding Specialist
1 Unit
Prerequisite: HIT 122 with a grade of "C" or better
Hours: 54 hours LAB
This course is a supervised clinical experience in performing coding and abstracting. Students must be available during regular business hours. Students shall have the status of learner and shall not be considered agency employees, nor shall they replace staff. Directed practice is conducted as non-paid laboratory experience.
HIT 295
Independent Studies in Health Information Technology
1-3 Units
Prerequisite: None
Hours: 18 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
HIT 298
Work Experience in Health Information Technology
1-4 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Hours: 300 hours LAB
This course provides students with opportunities to develop marketable skills in preparation for employment or advancement within their current job. Course content will include understanding the application of education to the workforce; completion of required forms, which document the student's progress and hours spent at the work site; and developing workplace skills and competencies. During the course of the semester, the student is required to fulfill an 18 hour orientation and 75 hours of related paid work experience, or 60 hours of unpaid work experience for one unit. An additional 75 or 60 hours of related work experience is required for each additional unit. The course may be taken again when there is new or expanded learning on the job for a maximum of 16 units.
HIT 299
Experimental Offering in Health Information Technology
.5-4 Units
Prerequisite: None
Hours: 18 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB