Syllabus
Master of Healthcare Administration
HCA 610 – Healthcare Quality for Enhanced Value-Based Patient Outcomes – Fall A 2024
Credits - 3
Description
This course explores the dynamic between healthcare delivery and leveraging data for enhanced patient outcomes. Given an increased scrutiny on empirical value-based care metrics for payer reimbursement, the strategic use of data will be key in new continuum of care models. Students will complete this course with a solid understanding of healthcare quality standards, the regulations around those standards, and how they are affected by the use of technology and data analysis. Key themes will include quality improvement methodologies, measuring and interpreting quality data, strategies to increase healthcare process reliability.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Program Outcomes addressed by this course:
- Apply technology and the healthcare quality framework to meet the goals of the triple aim of improving the patient experience of care, improving the health of populations, and reducing the per capita cost of healthcare
Course Outcomes
- Examine the three primary quality management activities: measurement, assessment, and improvement
- Apply methods of interpreting healthcare performance measurement data and quality improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and PDCA.
- Evaluate strategies for increasing the reliability of healthcare processes including using technology
- Analyze how quality measurement, assessment, and improvement activities are used to manage population health
- Apply statistical methods to detect changes in quality or performance
- Develop an analytics strategy with a focus on quality and performance improvement
- Demonstrate how to put quality and a patient safety culture into practice
Assignments
Please note that all times in the syllabus and in Brightspace refer to Eastern Time. The discussion board and assignment links for each week will open at the start of the week for submissions.
Discussion Board Posts: Each week there will be a discussion board that addresses a topic within the current module. These assignments will assess your ability to clearly and accurately apply concepts from your readings and from your own experiences. Each week you are expected to submit an initial post and comment on at least 2 other students’ posts. You need to follow APA guidelines for citing any sources you may reference in either your initial post or your response to others. Refer to the Discussion Rubric and weekly discussion question for submission guidelines. Please be sure to follow the individual directions provided with each Discussion Board Prompt, as the requirements may vary from Discussion Board to Discussion Board.
Initial post: You should submit your initial post by 11:59 p.m. Sunday. Your initial post should be approximately 500 words.
Response to others: You should comment on at least 2 other students’ posts by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. Your comments to others should be thorough, thoughtful, and they should offer some new content. Do not merely respond with “I agree” or “I disagree.” Engage directly with the ideas of your classmates and briefly mention which part of the post you are responding to.
Research Activity: In week 1, write a 3-4 page APA style paper about one quality-focused organization and provide an analysis of how the organization influences and impacts healthcare improvement. Refer to the Research Activity Rubric and assignment instructions for submission guidelines.
Case Study Measuring Performance: In week 2, write a 3-4 page APA style paper providing your response to the case study posed. Refer to the Case Study Rubric and assignment instructions for submission guidelines.
Value Stream Map Activity: In week 3, select a simple healthcare process with which you are familiar, identify the key steps to the process, and draft a process map. Identify which steps in your process map are value-added and which steps are not value-added. Use an online quality improvement tool to generate a Value Added Flow Analysis. Refer to the Value Stream Map Activity Rubric and assignment instructions for submission guidelines.
Article Critique: In week 4, apply critical thinking skills to an article on a quality improvement initiative and write a 4-5 page APA style paper of your critique. Follow a 3 step process for writing critiques to guide your analysis. Refer to the Article Critique Rubric and assignment instructions for submission guidelines.
Statistical Process Control Activity: In week 5, use an online quality improvement tool to create a histogram, control (run) chart and Pareto chart of data provided. Write a 2-3 page summary of the results found. Refer to the Statistical Process Control Activity Rubric and assignment instructions for submission guidelines.
Research Paper: In week 6, write a 5 to 7-page APA style paper on the application of a performance improvement methodology to solve a value-based care performance problem. Your work on this research paper will provide you an opportunity to take a deep dive into a performance improvement methodology and apply it to an authentic value-based care performance problem. Refer to the Research Paper Rubric and assignment instructions for submission guidelines.
Analytics Use Case: In week 7, respond to a scenario by completing an analytics use case from a template. Provide a complete and cohesive response to each item on the template so it is clear how the measure will be used. Refer to the Analytics Use Case Rubric and assignment instructions for submission guidelines.
Reflection: In week 8, a 300-500 word reflection on what you learned in class and how it applies to your current and/or future work. Refer to the Reflection Rubric and assignment instructions for submission guidelines.
All assignments use scoring rubrics to assess student performance. Thoroughly review the rubric and assignment instructions for guidance on what’s required for each assignment.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assessment Item | Possible Points | Percent of Total Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Discussion Boards (8 @ 2.5 points each) | 20 | 20% |
| Research Activity | 6 | 6% |
| Case Study | 10 | 10% |
| Value Stream Map Activity | 6 | 6% |
| Article Critique | 17 | 17% |
| Statistical Process Control Activity | 6 | 6% |
| Research Paper | 25 | 25% |
| Analytical Use Case | 6 | 6% |
| Reflection | 4 | 4% |
| Total | 100 | 100% |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Course learning modules are divided into weeks. Each week starts on Wednesday at 12:00 am Eastern Time (ET) and closes on Wednesday at 11:59 pm ET, with the exception of Week 8, which ends on Sunday. All assignments must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET on the due date.
Course Schedule
Week 1: Sep 4 – Sep 11
Week 2: Sep 11 – Sep 18
Week 3: Sep 18 – Sep 25
Week 4: Sep 25 – Oct 2
Week 5: Oct 2 – Oct 9
Week 6: Oct 9 – Oct 16
Week 7: Oct 16 – Oct 23
Week 8: Oct 23 – Oct 27
| Learning Modules | Topics | Assignments Due |
|
Week 1 |
Fundamentals of Quality |
Introductory Discussion Research Activity due Wednesday |
|
Week 2 |
Measuring and Evaluating Performance |
Discussion – Initial post by Sunday, responses by Wednesday Case Study – Measuring Performance due Wednesday |
|
Week 3 |
Continuous Improvement |
Discussion – Initial post by Sunday, responses by Wednesday Value Stream Map Activity due Wednesday |
|
Week 4 |
Improving Patient Safety |
Discussion – Initial post by Sunday, responses by Wednesday Article Critique due Wednesday |
|
Week 5 |
Utilization Management and Applying Statistical Methods |
Discussion – Initial post by Sunday, responses by Wednesday Statistical Process Control Activity due Wednesday |
|
Week 6 |
Managing Quality in Population Health and Value-Based Care |
Discussion – Initial post by Sunday, responses by Wednesday Research Paper due Wednesday |
|
Week 7 |
Analytics for Quality/Performance Improvement |
Discussion – Initial post by Sunday, responses by Wednesday Analytics Use Case due Wednesday |
|
Week 8 |
Putting Healthcare Quality and Safety into Practice |
Discussion – Initial post by Friday, responses by Sunday Reflection due Sunday |
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Health Informatics page
APA Style Guide
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Blackboard/Brightspace.
- MSIN Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/health-informatics/
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
UNE Student Academic Success Center
The Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of services to support your academic achievement, including tutoring, writing support, test prep and studying strategies, learning style consultations, and many online resources. To make an appointment for tutoring, writing support, or a learning specialist consultation, go to une.tutortrac.com. To access our online resources, including links, guides, and video tutorials, please visit:
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Course Evaluation Policy
Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.
Late Policy
Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Attendance Policy
8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.