Revised 08/2025

HIM 233 - Electronic Health Records Management (3 CR.)

Course Description

Studies new trends in management and processing of health information with emphasis on the electronic health record (EHR). Covers the definition, benefits, standards, functionality, confidentiality and security, and impact of the EHR in the healthcare environment. Explores implementation of the EHR including infrastructure required, project management techniques, information technology systems, workflow processes, and redesign in various healthcare settings. Discusses legal issues created by implementation of the EHR. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course will provide a foundation for student learning, introducing concepts and technologies of electronic medical records, computerized medical records, computer-based patient records, electronic chart and other terms as they relate to the health care information systems.

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, HIM 230, HIM 249, HIM 251 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 completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • Describe the definitions and roles of health information, and differentiate between electronic medical records, electronic health records, and personal health records.
  • Explain the structure and function of information systems, including key components and the relationships among data, information, and knowledge.
  • Compare the evolution of paper-based, hybrid, and electronic health record systems, including the historical development of electronic health records.
  • Summarize the significance of national initiatives such as the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, the National Health Information Network, and the Institute of Medicine framework for computer-based patient records.
  • Define enterprise information management and explain its role in healthcare organizations.
  • Explain the principles, frameworks, and mission of data governance, and distinguish between data governance and information governance.
  • Develop a business case and roadmap for implementing data governance, including maturity models and governance structures.
  • Assess data governance activities in areas such as data architecture, metadata management, master data management, content and record management, and data security management information systems and administrative information systems. 
  • Evaluate the benefits and roles of systems such as computerized provider order entry systems, laboratory information systems, picture archiving and communication systems, real-time location systems, emergency department information systems, electronic document management systems, registration-admission-discharge-transfer systems, master patient index systems, and financial information systems. 
  • Explain the concept and levels of interoperability and describe the purpose of computer networks and interfaces in healthcare information technology. 
  • Explain how health information exchanges support healthcare delivery and data sharing.
  • Describe the purpose and components of clinical and administrative documentation in healthcare.
  • Differentiate between primary and secondary uses of health data and justify the importance of managing data as a corporate asset.
  • Apply systems development life cycle methods—such as the waterfall model, agile development, and spiral development—to healthcare information technology projects.
  • Use tools such as use case scenarios, data flow diagrams, and data models to support system requirements gathering and design.
  • Prepare data architecture documentation and apply computer-aided software engineering tools in system development and implementation.
  • Define key dimensions of data quality and apply methods for data quality assessment and management.
  • Describe the healthcare data lifecycle and evaluate data governance activities related to maintaining data quality.
  • Explain the strategic role of healthcare information and analytics, including business intelligence concepts, data warehouses, and decision-support tools.
  • Explain the purpose and use of major healthcare terminology and classification systems, including the International Classification of Diseases, Current Procedural Terminology, Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine – Clinical Terms, and Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes.
  • Describe standardized healthcare data sets such as the Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Set and the Uniform Ambulatory Care Data Set and explain the role of data standards in system interoperability and data mapping.
  • Assess governance practices related to the management of healthcare terminologies and classifications.
  • Define key terms related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and differentiate between privacy, confidentiality, and security in healthcare data.
  • Identify and apply technical, operational, and administrative controls used in protecting healthcare information.
  • Evaluate disaster recovery strategies, access control mechanisms, and methods for detecting and responding to data security breaches.
  • Analyze the historical and evolving role of health information management professionals.
  • Compare traditional responsibilities in health information management with new models that emphasize enterprise-wide information and data analytics.
  • Describe the core domains of enterprise health information management, including content management, information security, business intelligence, and governance.
  • Develop and present a business case for implementing enterprise information management in a healthcare organization, using real-world examples such as the St. Rita’s Healthcare System case study.

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Foundations of health information and systems
  • Enterprise information and data governance
  • Clinical and administrative information systems
  • Health information exchange and documentation
  • System development and architecture
  • Data quality, analytics, and business intelligence
  • Terminologies, classifications, and standards
  • Data security and privacy
  • Professional practice and emerging trends