Revised 08/2025

HIM 230 - Information Systems and Technology in Health Care (3 CR.)

Course Description

Explores computer technology and system applications in healthcare. Introduces the information systems life cycle. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

Computer systems in health care will be discussed with emphasis on systems encountered by Health Information Departments. Clinical data repositories, community health information networks, telemedicine, the evolvement/advancement of computerized medical record, and optical disc will be discussed. Creating and maintaining databases and alternative methods for formatting and presenting data will be applied. The importance of data integrity and the effects on health care organizations will be emphasized. 

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisites/corequisites are BIO 142, HIM 110, HIM 130, HIM 141, HIM 142, HIM 220, HIM 226, HIM 250, HIM 260, HIM 229 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.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Examine the evolution and impact of computers and information systems in healthcare.
  • Apply core informatics concepts, including data analytics, data quality, and data management, to healthcare environments.
  • Evaluate health data structures, sources, and collection methods within electronic health records (EHRs).
  • Design, interpret, and manage health databases and data dictionaries using foundational data modeling and normalization techniques.
  • Participate in system selection, implementation, and training processes for healthcare information systems.
  • Assess and recommend administrative, clinical, and HIM-specific systems to improve healthcare operations and outcomes.
  • Develop and support EHR strategies, including clinical vocabulary usage and interoperability standards.
  • Evaluate the impact of consumer informatics, personal health records, and patient portals on healthcare delivery and equity.
  • Discuss the structure and function of Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), including regulatory and technological considerations.
  • Apply security and privacy policies, perform audits, and ensure compliance with federal regulations such as HIPAA.

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Foundations of health informatics and information systems
  • Data sources and quality in health information
  • Database design and management
  • System selection, implementation, and training
  • Health information management systems
  • Administrative and business systems
  • Clinical information systems and value-based care
  • Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and Personal Health Records (PHRs)
  • Consumer informatics and patient engagement
  • Health Information Exchange (HIE) and interoperability
  • Security, privacy, and compliance
  • Auditing, monitoring, and compliance programs