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Saint Paul College Programs

Health Information Technology

Health Information Technology AAS Degree**

Program Prerequisites
Course		Cr
BTEC 1400	Microcomputer Keyboarding	2
BTEC 1418	Computer Fundamentals	3

Program Requirements
Course		Cr
BTEC 1421	Introduction to Microsoft Office Software	3
BUSN 1482	Business Career Resources	2
MEDS 1420	Health Information Foundations	3
MEDS 1470	Anatomy and Physiology/Medical Office	3
MEDS 1480	Medical Terminology	3
MEDS 1560	Computerized Health Information	3
MEDS 1562	Billing and Reimbursement	2
MEDS 1570	Human Disease	3
MEDS 2430	Pharmacology for the Medical Office	2
MEDS 2432	Alternative Health Record Systems	2
MEDS 2434	Legal Aspects of Health Information	2
MEDS 2440	Supervision of Health Information	2
MEDS 2460	ICD-9-CM Coding	3
MEDS 2470	CPT-4 Coding	3
MEDS 2480	Advanced Coding	3
MEDS 2510	Quality Management and Health Statistics	3
MEDS 2590	HIT Internship	3
	Subtotal	45
	General Education	20
	Total Program Credits	65

General Education - 20 Credits Students are required to complete ENGL 1711 and any SPCH course from Goal 1 (7 credits)
Requirements*		Cr
Goal 1:	Communication	7
	ENGL 1711 Composition 1 (4 cr.)
	SPCH XXXX (3 cr.)

Select a minimum of 3 credits from Goal 3		3
Goal 3:	Natural Sciences BIOL 1730 Human Body Systems (3 cr.)	3


Select a minimum of 3 credits from Goal 5		3
Goal 5:	History, Social Science, & Behavioral Sciences PSYC 1710 General Psychology (4 cr.)

Select a minimum of 3 credits from Goal 6		3
Goal 6:	Humanities and Fine Arts

Select a minimum of 4 additional credits from Goals 1-10 of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum		4

* Refer to the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum Course List for specific course options.
** Program pending candidacy and accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Information and Information Management Education (CAHIM)

Course Descriptions

BTEC 1400 Keyboarding

Covers "Touch Keyboarding" skill development on a computer keyboard. A variety of drills will be used to develop speed and accuracy of keyboarding skills. 2C/1/1/0

BTEC 1418 Computer Fundamentals

This course covers introductory information about computer hardware and software, disk maintenance that includes working with folders and files and the use of the microcomputer as a productivity tool. Students will be given introductory training in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheets, graphs, database and presentation applications) and Internet usage. 3C/3/0/0

BTEC 1421 Business Information Applications 1

This is the first course in a series that teaches students how to use Microsoft Office software applications. Software used includes Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point. By the end of this course, students will be skilled in the basic features of Microsoft Office. Students will create common business documents including letters, reports, tables, newsletters, Excel worksheets, Access databases, and PowerPoint graphic presentations. This course and BTEC 1423 Business Information Applications 2 prepare the for student the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification Exams. 3C/3/0/0

BUSN 1482 Business Career Resources

This course provides information and guidance in the development of professional job seeking skills. Topics will include: the application, the resume, the cover letter, using the internet in a job search, locating job opportunities, marketing yourself, and company research. This course may include work on portfolios, electronic portfolios, and interviewing skills. 2C/2/0/0

MEDS 1420 Health Information Foundations

This course will help the student understand health information theory at the basic level with a major emphasis on skill building to perform day-to-day operational tasks in health information management. Through development from the specific to the global, the intended audience, who will likely not have a previous background in health information management, will be able to grasp key theories from implementation to current practices. After obtaining the base knowledge and skills from this class, the student will be able to use, analyze, present, abstract, code, store, and/or retrieve healthcare data for the support of healthcare related organizations. 3C/3/0/0

MEDS 1470 Anatomy and Physiology/Medical Office

This course provides the student with an understanding of anatomy and physiology of all systems of the human body. Common disease conditions of each body system will be highlighted. This course provides the student with a fundamental knowledge base for work in the medical office careers field. 3C/3/0/0

MEDS 1480 Medical Terminology

This course exposes the student to the language of healthcare known as medical terminology. The student will develop an understanding of medical terminology by studying the pronunciation and definition of word parts as well as the proper format in bringing word parts together to form medical terms. Development of this foundation is designed to provide a medical vocabulary for future healthcare staff. 3C/3/0/0

MEDS 1560 Computerized Health Information

An introduction to the concepts of computer technology associated with healthcare and the tools and techniques for collecting, storing and retrieving health care data. This course will explain the difference between data and information as well as discuss networks, data integrity and security, document imaging and automatic identification. Health information systems including administrative, patient registration, ADT, HIM applications, clinical, point of care, lab, radiology, pharmacy and voice recognition, will also be discussed. 3C/3/0/0

MEDS 1562 Billing and Reimbursement

An introduction to the reimbursement systems used in the healthcare industry, including inpatient and outpatient settings. Medical claim forms preparation and processing will be covered. 2C/2/0/0

MEDS 1570 Human Disease

This course will assist the student in understanding both infectious and noninfectious diseases by utilizing a systemic approach. This course will examine the cause of disease, risk factors, symptoms, prevention, control and treatment. Emphasis on health information career objectives, daily operational tasks, and coding practices will be implemented throughout the course of study. The knowledge obtained will allow the student to process information and work more efficiently in a health information environment. 3C/3/0/0

MEDS 2430 Pharmacology for the Medical Office

This course will introduce the subject of drugs, their uses and pharmacology information sources. Pharmacology includes the study of drugs and their relationship to specific body systems as well as side effects, precautions, drug interactions and patient education. This course will provide a thorough understanding of drugs which is required for the health information practitioner to properly analyze, abstract, understand, and code health data. 2C/2/0/0

MEDS 2432 Alternative Health Record Systems

This course focuses on managing health information in health care facilities other than acute care hospitals. An introduction to the basic components of the content, use and structure of health care data and data sets and how these components link to primary and secondary record systems. Topics to be discussed include the content of the health record, documentation requirements, health care data sets, registries and indices, forms and screen design and primary versus secondary records. An explanation of the organization, financing and delivery of healthcare services will be discussed, as well as a discussion of such topics as accreditation standards and licensure and regulatory agencies. 2C/2/0/0

MEDS 2434 Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information

An introduction to the legal and ethical issues that are relevant to health information. The court system and legislative process, as well as legal vocabulary will be communicated. Topics to be discussed include confidentiality, release of information, retention guidelines, patient rights and advocacy, advanced directives, and ethics. The new HIPAA guidelines will also be reviewed. 2C/2/0/0

MEDS 2440 Supervision of Health Information

An introduction to the principles of supervision and organization in order to develop effective skills in leadership, motivation and team building approaches. Topics will include basic management principles, human resource supervision, budgeting basics, ergonomics, how to market HIM services and performance or quality improvement. 2C/2/0/0

MEDS 2460 ICD-9-CM Coding

This course teaches the student to accurately code diagnoses and procedures using the ICD-9-CM coding system. This class brings the student through all of the coding conventions in order to develop a basic coding foundation. Coding of diagnoses and procedures from each body system will be covered as well as coding from operative reports and other healthcare documents. Emphasis on Principle Diagnosis and Principle procedure as well as secondary diagnoses and secondary procedures is also covered. Other topics include DRG's, compliance, over-coding and under-coding, complications and co-morbidities. (Prerequisites: MEDS 1470 and MEDS 1480). 3C/2/1/0

MEDS 2470 CPT-4 Coding

This course teaches the student to accurately code procedures using the CPT-4 coding system. This class brings the student through all of the coding conventions in order to develop a basic coding foundation. Coding of procedures from each body system will be covered as well as coding from operative reports, emergency room reports, physician office reports, and other healthcare documents. Students will also be trained in coding from all sections within the CPT-4 system as well as Evaluation and Management coding and HCPCS Level 2 - National coding. (Prerequisites: MEDS 1470 and MEDS 1480). 3C/2/1/0

MEDS 2480 Advanced Coding

In this course students will use their basic ICD-9-CM and CPT-4 coding skills while learning to correctly code Diagnoses and Procedures from a multitude of source documents such as Inpatient Records; Ambulatory Surgery Records; Emergency Room Reports; Physician Office Cases and Ancillary Service Reports. Students will also become familiar with Diagnosis Related Groups and Ambulatory Payment Classifications. Through instruction in coding these cases, the students will become familiar with what will be expected of them in a real coding position in a healthcare organization. (Prerequisite(s): MEDS 2460 and MEDS 2470) 3C/2/1/0

MEDS 2510 Quality Management and Health Statistics

This course is an introduction to the principles of the quality assessment process which encompasses a framework for gaining skills in collecting and analyzing data. This course covers quality assessment and improvement including collection tools, data analysis and reporting techniques. Utilization management, risk management and case management will also be discussed. This course is also a study of the effective use, collection, arrangement, presentation and verification of health care data. Vital statistics, healthcare statistics and descriptive statistics, as well as reliability and validity of data will be discussed. Research techniques and the IRB process will also be covered. 3C/3/0/0

MEDS 2590 HIT Internship

In this course, students apply the coursework, theories, skills and ethics learned during the program to a field-based experience. Under the supervision of a qualified health information professional, the student will gain professional practice experience in a health care facility. Students will meet written goals and objectives and be evaluated by the Health Information Supervisor and the College Internship Coordinator. 3C/0/0/3

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