Revised 8/2025

HIM 141 - Fundamentals of Health Information Systems I (3 CR.)

Course Description

Focuses on health data collection, storage, retrieval and reporting systems, with emphasis on the role of the computer in accomplishing these functions. Part I of II. Lecture is 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course is designed to allow the student to:

  • Gain an understanding of the data elements that comprise a patient information system;
  • Develop skills in analyzing data for completeness and accuracy;
  • Understand the vision of the CPR and their role in its development;
  • Gain knowledge of the various methods for filing, storage and retention of health records;
  • Develop supervisory skills in the filing and storage of health records.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

HIM program placed students:

Prerequisites/co-requisites for HIM students are BIO 142, HIM 110, HIM 130 or permission of instructor. The course will be offered to any student who meets the prerequisites/co-requisites and is program placed in the Health Information Management (HIM) program.

CDC program placed students:

Prerequisites/co-requisites for CDC students are ENG 111, HIM 111 or permission of instructor. The course will be offered to any student who meets the prerequisites/co-requisites and is program placed in the Clinical Data Coding (CDC) program.

Course Objectives

  • Analyze the historical development and evolution of the HIM profession, recognizing key milestones and their impact on current practices.
  • Evaluate the changing healthcare environment and articulate how HIM roles must adapt to meet emerging challenges and technologies.
  • Describe the organizational structure and mission of AHIMA, and its role in advancing the HIM profession.
  • Evaluate the organization and function of the U.S. healthcare delivery system, including its historical development and future trends.
  • Differentiate among the various levels and types of healthcare services and explain how they are integrated within the continuum of care.
  • Assess the impact of emerging technologies on healthcare delivery, including EHRs, telemedicine, and AI.
  • Explain the purpose and value of the health record in supporting patient care, legal documentation, research, billing, and quality improvement.
  • Identify and analyze the various users of the health record and describe how each uses health information.
  • Demonstrate the ability to manage and maintain the Master Patient Index (MPI) to ensure accurate patient identification and data integrity.
  • Evaluate and select appropriate health record formats (paper, electronic, hybrid) based on organizational needs.
  • Educate healthcare staff and stakeholders on EHR systems, including workflows, documentation standards, and compliance.
  • Justify the integration of information systems in HIM operations, emphasizing their role in data management and decision support.
  • Define and explain the role of documentation standards in healthcare, including their impact on clinical accuracy and legal compliance.
  • Evaluate how documentation standards contribute to patient safety and quality of care and apply these principles in practice.
  • Evaluate health record documentation for compliance with general guidelines, including completeness, accuracy, and timeliness.
  • Justify the critical role of HIM professionals in overseeing documentation practices, ensuring legal, ethical, and regulatory standards are met.
  • Explain the principles and frameworks of information governance and data governance and assess their importance in ensuring data quality and compliance.
  • Analyze the impact of data quality on healthcare operations, including its effects on patient care, reimbursement, and reporting.
  • Examine the role of clinical documentation integrity (CDI) in supporting accurate and timely clinical records.
  • Discuss the role of auditing in healthcare data management, including how audits support compliance and quality improvement.

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Introduction to Health Information Management
  • Healthcare delivery systems
  • Health information functions, purposes, and users
  • Health record content and documentation
  • Healthcare data sets and standards