College of Health Professions Department of Clinical Practice Management

ACHP 5312: Healthcare Delivery and Privacy Information

Summer I 2015
Syllabus
1
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:

Instructor name: Allen Todd, MSCPM Assistant Professor Clinical Practice Management
Office: BR549 HP Building
Office hours: 11:00 am 3:00 pm (Monday and Wednesday), or by appointments
Email: allen.todd@ttu.edu
Phone: 512-618-8308
If you contact me by email (above), include your name *and* course number in the subject line of
the email. If you have a pressing issue or question, feel free to contact me by telephone.

COURSE INFORMATION :

Course credit: 3 hours

Frequency: Summer I, 2015
Duration: 6 weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this class is to assist the student in developing the necessary analytical ability,
attitudes and decision making skills required of the clinical practice manager. This class is designed to
teach clinical practice managers their role in operating, managing and directing resources within the
practice setting. This course provides introductory knowledge of the importance of privacy
concerning patient health information, the laws associated with privacy information, and a financial
management approach to decision-making. The student will gain experience in the application of
various tools and be introduced to a basic understanding of the various ways in which healthcare
information is regulated in the United States. Economic and social factors that influence the access to and the
delivery of patient information will also be discussed along with an evaluation of healthcare delivery from the
standpoint of the various stakeholders involved. Introduction to Biomedical Informatics will introduce

the student to the uses of information technology as it applies to healthcare, including information
retrieval, electronic medical records, physician order entry, telemedicine, consumer health
informatics, security, privacy and confidentiality in the electronic environment, HIPAA regulations,
ethics, computerized medical imaging, and decision support. The course will provide the student with
the fundamental knowledge necessary to practice within the modern healthcare environment and
communicate with information technology (IT) personnel. Practical exercises are included that are
designed to acquaint the student with healthcare related applications of information technology.
OBJECTIVES/LEARNER OUTCOMES:

By the end of the course, learners will be able to:

-

Understand the history of healthcare delivery and patient health information (PHI) privacy in the
United States Analyze cost behavior and allocation for operational planning and control.

Understand the importance of privacy concerning PHI and the regulations thereof.

2
-

Explain the various local, state, and federal laws that are involved in PHI in the United States.

Identify how various social and economic factors relate to PHI and the delivery of healthcare.

Evaluate the roles and needs of the various stakeholders in the healthcare process.

Identify several different forms of electronic communication

Explain the pros and cons of electronic messaging for educational purposes

Identify the advantages/disadvantages of video conference to communicate with

classmates and instructors.

Demonstrate skills in collaborating with other students and instructors

Improve communication skills in both speaking and listening

Identify the difference between law and ethics

Identify the value of research and the role of electronic communication, storage, and
retrieval

TEACHING METHODS:
Textbook readings, weekly lectures, weekly discussion groups, quizzes, final exam.

Students are required to log-in and discuss the material posted in the Course Room at least 2 times
per week. (an initial posting and a reply to a peer) The instructor will take part in the discussion
topics as appropriate, but will not reply to all messages. There will also be a designated forum on the
discussion board that allows for students to post questions to the instructor. I will check daily and
reply promptly to this thread.
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:
Healthcare Delivery in the United States, 10th ed., Kovner, Anthony R., and Knickman, James R.,
Springer.
ISBN 978-0-8261-2096-0
SUPPLEMENTARY TEXTBOOK (*not* required for the course):

Protecting Patient Privacy in Healthcare Information Systems

Publisher: BiblioGov
Publication date: 12/28/2010
ISBN-13: 9781240532537

Internet access, browsers, word processor, presentation software, web cam

Blackboard: Used for accessing course content, discussions, and submitting assignments.
Email: Please feel free to use the email provided on blackboard when you have questions or need

assistance in any way or to communicate with other students. You are encouraged to contact the
instructor by email, especially when things do not proceed as expected. If you do not receive a reply
from the instructor within a reasonable time frame, generally within 24 hours, you may need to
resend the email. Email does go missing.
Webcam: is required in week 1 for creating an introductory video in which your background,
interests, and learning goals are summarized. However, if you do not have a webcam, you can create
a PowerPoint presentation that includes your picture along with the designated information as an
alternative.
Lecture Notes: I will submit a video and/or printed outline summarizing the assigned readings for
each weeks module. Please review this information carefully as additional material will also be
included.
Video Conferencing: Video conferencing in the classroom is a great way to enhance the educational
experience. For example, video conferencing can allow learners to take virtual field trips, access
previously unavailable courses work, connect with experts, and collaborate with other learners both
locally and around the world. Video conferencing will be introduced training tool for online
communication with the goal of promoting interaction and dialogue.
The learners will be introduced to Wiggio, a video conferencing tool with enhanced features that
include functions such as file transfer capability, event planner and to do lists, individual and group
management interaction, and survey templates. The learners will be assigned to groups of four and
will then collaborate on scheduling a virtual meeting for a field trip related to biomedical informatics
(group choice), connect with one other group via video conference to share the event.
Adobe Premiere, Windows Live Movie Maker, or another video editing system: Creating
instructional video programs is an important skill that you should find useful in many ways. You will
choose one video editing software to improve the final submission of your introductory video. (note:
the alternative is a one-page PowerPoint presentation)

COURSE SCHEDULE - Summer 2015

Week # / Start Date

Week 1 / May 31

Week 2 / Jun 6

Subject
Readings
Introductions/ Video software
HIPPA, history and
accountability

Lecture Notes;
Text ch 1, 2 & 3

Texas Law, the Role of

Government in Healthcare
Joint commission/ Staff roles

Lecture Notes;
Text ch. 4, 5, 6 & 7

Assignment Due Date

Discussion board- 2
postings- Jun 5

Discussion Board- 2
postings-June 12

4
and responsibilities

Discussion Board- 2
postings-June 19
Week 3 / Jun 13

Week 4 / Jun 20

Week 5 / Jun 27

Week 6 / Jul 11

Record Retention/ Data

collection and Research/

Lecture Notes;
Text ch. 8 -13

Release of information (ROI),

Financial and Criminal
Lecture Notes;
Penalties
Text ch. 14 - 15
Wiggio - video conferencing
Policies and procedures/
Subpoenas civil, criminal,
covered entities,
Lecture Notes;
documentation
Text ch. 16 - 18

Exam #1 lectures and

text ch 1-7
Due - Friday, Jun 17,
0800 hrs
Discussion Board- 2
postings-June 26

Discussion Board- 2
postings-Jul 3

Exam #2 lectures/ text

ch 8-16
Due - Friday Jul 4, 0800
hrs
None
Final Exam and
Finals Week no discussion
research paper
postings; deadline for posting
Open for discussion of Due - Tuesday, Jul 20 at
to the discussion board is
any material and review 0800 hrs
Monday, Jul 19, at 0800 hrs
at students request

METHOD OF EVALUATION:
Point system:
Participation : 2 creditable postings each week
Exams
Final Exam
Research paper

300
200 (100 points each)
100
400

Total

1000 points

Grading scale:
900-1000 A
800-899
B
700-799
C
600-699
D (a grade of D does not count toward fulfillment of degree requirements)

5
<600

ASSIGNMENTS:
Profile: Each student is required to create a video and submit it on a website (further details in
Module 1) or post a profile in the discussion area of 125-250 words. In addition to your educational
and/or professional experience, I am looking for you to give some background on personal
experiences along with your goals of expanding your knowledge and expectations from this course.
Activities: Throughout the coursework, various communication tools will be utilized to acquaint the
student with healthcare related applications of information technology. Detailed instructions will be
provided in each module as a trial for practical application. Learners will participate individually or as
a group in testing the various forms of communication.
Research Paper. The purpose of the research paper is to enable students to develop and refine their
research and writing skills in the practice of management. Students will select a health finance topic
of interest to research and prepare an 8-10 page (excluding cover page and reference list) research
paper. This paper will provide a brief review of the literature on the topic of interest that identifies a
statement of problem or opportunity in health services administration. Topics will expand on areas
covered in the textbook and class discussion. Appropriate sources include published books, articles in
peer reviewed journals. The final paper must be typed (1 inch margins/12 point font), double-spaced,
and follow Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th ed. (APA) format.
Content of the paper should include an Abstract, Introduction, Body, Discussion, Conclusion and
References section. Students will cite at least eight relevant and valid sources in the final paper.
Papers not received by the last day of class will not be considered for grading. The evaluation of the
research paper will be based on the following criteria:
Content Quality of research based on substance of material presented and depth and
breadth of research.
Context Logic, clarity, and organization of material, as well as demonstrated
importance of topic to health care delivery.
Form Adherence to the provided format and style manual and extent to which the
work meets graduate level attention to grammar and appearance.
Contribution Development of recent healthcare financial management issues as
well as clear and productive feedback to your peers as part of the peer review process.
DISCUSSION BOARD GENERAL COMMENTS:
The discussion board participation requirements for this course are outlined in the following
paragraphs. Most of the education that is acquired through distance learning is a result of the interaction among
the participants in the course, the instructor and the students combined. The instructor will take part in the
discussion topics as appropriate.
Postings to the discussion board should pertain to the topics under discussion for the given week.
Statements of fact must be supported by references. Although opinions are encouraged, you should provide
reference(s) for the basis of your opinions as well. Sources for references may be found in textbooks, the

6
Internet - online journals, scholarly articles, etc. Note: *Wikipedia is not accepted as a source and will not
count as a reference to fulfill requirements. Creditable postings will be written in a comprehensive manner and
will contribute materially to the discussion.
Non- creditable entries include such postings as: "I'm logging in.", "Great comment, Allen!", I agree.
We do that, too., or way off-topic comments as these add nothing to the current discussion and do not
contribute to the academic content of the course. It is not inappropriate to post supporting comments. They add
to the discussion board. However, they just do not count for credit.
Do NOT merely repeat or summarize what the textbook says, as it also will not count.
Do NOT merely post an interesting URL, a thoughtfully comment must be included about the content
of the website/article.
When providing the URL to a reference, *always* provide a direct link as well.
Also, include the author, the title of the article, and the title of the source journal, newspaper, etc. If the article
is from a journal, include the volume, issue, page numbers, and date of publication.
Get into the habit of citing references this way in all your classes and correspondence. Your readers
will appreciate it and will be more likely to read what you have recommended.
DISCUSSION BOARD - CLASS PARTICIPATION:
Each student is required to post appropriate comments on the discussion board a minimum of two
times each week and reply to at least one peer posting. Please post initial discussions early in the week to allow
others to respond in a timely matter. Last minute postings serve little, if any, educational value.
For the purposes of posting to the discussion board, each week starts at 0800 hrs on Monday and ends at
0759 hrs on the following Monday. Class participation grade will be determined on a per week basis as
follows:
50 points: Excellent class participation. The student posts at least 2 creditable postings for that week
and replies to 1 peer posting.
25 points: Adequate class participation. The student posts only 1 creditable postings for that week and
replies to 1 peer.
0 points: No class participation, or unprofessional activity. The student fails to post any creditable
postings for that week, the students postings suggest that he or she has not read the assigned material, or the
students comments are disruptive or unprofessional.
A maximum of 300 points may be earned by class participation.
EXAMINATIONS:
Examinations will be assigned during the course. I will usually upload exams one week prior to when
they are due.
All assignments must be submitted as MS Word documents, as attachments via the blackboard
assignment tool.

7
On all assignments, you must include a header that appears on each page. The header must be in the
following format:
ACHP 5312 Exam # - LastName, FirstName Page #
FINAL EXAMINATION:
The final examination will be a comprehensive, open book / open resource examination on all of the
material covered in the class. The material for the final exam will be based on the material in the text and in the
lectures, but may require you to search other resources for answers.
EXEMPTION FROM THE FINAL EXAMINATION:
If a student has an A average (cumulative average grade of 90% or above from discussion board credit and
examinations) going into finals week, the student will be granted an exemption from taking the final
examination.
LATE WORK:
All assignments are due by the stipulated date and time, unless you have made prior arrangements with the
instructor for an extension of the deadline. Late assignments, without prior approval by the instructor for an
extension of the deadline, will be downgraded by one letter grade.

GRADING:
I will grade assignments as soon as possible after the due date. Grades will be posted via the
assignments box and a marked up copy with comments via email.
DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS:
Any student who, because of a disability, may require some special arrangements in order to meet
course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to request necessary accommodations.
Students should present appropriate verification from the Office of Student Services.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Academic Integrity: Professionals are expected to practice with a commitment to high standards of
conduct and integrity. The development of the commitment begins during academic training. Academic
misconduct is considered an act contrary to professional ethics. Academic misconduct includes, but is not
limited to: cheating, plagiarism, falsification of records, intimidation, and any and all other actions that may
distort the evaluation of a student's academic performance or achievement, assisting others in such acts, or
attempting to engage in such acts. Any violation may result in serious academic penalty, ranging from

receiving a warning, to failing the assignment, to failing the course, to expulsion from the University.
University policy on Academic Integrity:
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentjudicialprograms/academicinteg.php

8
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS:

Federal law requires that instructors provide reasonable accommodations for students who want
to observe their religious holidays at times when academic requirements conflict with those
observations. If any student will require academic accommodations for a religious observance, please
provide me with a written request to consider a reasonable modification for that observance by the
end of the second week of the course.
SYLLABUS:
The student is responsible for reading, understanding and abiding by the contents of this syllabus. If
the requirements of this course are not understood, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the
instructor for clarification within one week of receiving this syllabus. The specifics of this syllabus may be
changed at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor will notify the students of any changes to the
syllabus.
QUESTIONS:
If you have any questions; if something is not clear to you; if you are unsure of how an assignment is
to be performed, etc., contact me as soon as the issue arises. It is much easier obtain clarification on a point of
confusion than to live with the consequences of a wrong assumption.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Guidelines for APA style: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/01/

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
Video Editing software:

Adobe - http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/tdrc/index.cfm?product=premiere_pro (free trial version)

Various editing software: http://download.cnet.com/windows/video-editing-software/
Share and Edit Video site:
http://www.empressr.com/
Instructional material concerning video production:
http://www.academia.edu/824355/Understanding_computer-based_digital_video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrFJLeF0tA0
http://adobe-premiere.wonderhowto.com/how-to/make-movie-edit-adobe-premiere-pro-297918/

Video conferencing software: http://wiggio.com

Examples of places to visit: http://www.virtualfreesites.com/museums.html
Additional Supplemental Resources
University of Texas School of Biomedical Informatics: News story
http://www.uthouston.edu/sbmi/story.htm?id=2297916
Article on video field trips: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/virtual-field-trips
Second Life: A social network in a 3-D simulated environment where learners can gather via avatars
to transport most anywhere on the planet. https://secondlife.com/