Syllabus

Schedule

Please notice that the length of the modules in this course vary from week to week. Some modules are one week long and some are two weeks long. Each module starts on Wednesday at 12:00 am Eastern Time (ET) and closes on Wednesday at 11:59 pm ET, with the exception of Module 5 (1.5 weeks), which ends on Sunday. All assignments must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET on the due date. Please review the following schedule carefully for assignments and due dates.

Course Schedule at a Glance

Detailed Course Schedule

Week 1 – Introduction to Healthcare IT and Healthcare Organizations and Operations

Learning Outcomes:

• Discuss the current use of technology in society as a whole and in healthcare specifically

Course Materials:

• Chapter 1 in the course text
• Software: Pearson CompTIA Network+ N10-006 Hands-on Simulator
• Grzybowski, D. M. (2012). Computer-assisted coding and the EHR. Medical Records Briefing, 27(10), 7-10.

Assignments:

Week 2 – PHI Security Practices

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify current PHI security practices found in healthcare
• Describe proper communication methods and PHI security procedures in the healthcare workplace

Course Materials:

• Chapter 2 in the course text
• Gold, A. (2013, November 8). 3 tips for proactively protecting PHI. FierceHealthIT. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/1466242760?accountid=12756.
• Chaudhary, R., & Ward, J. J. (2014). A practical approach to healthcare information security. Journal of Health Care Compliance, 16(3), 11-16,66.

Assignments:

• Week 2 Discussion: PHI Security

  • There are a variety of ways to protect a patient’s records.

    • If you work in a clinical environment, please provide us with various examples of how your clinic protects a patient’s PHI.

    OR

    • If you do not work in a clinical environment, please provide us with several examples of simple security devices that will prevent unauthorized access to data.

    After identifying the devices/methods, tell us how effective each is, and if you would recommend it.

    Remember: You must create an initial post and also comment on at least two other posts. Your initial post should be approximately 500 words and directly address the discussion prompt. Use APA style for references and when citing sources in-text.

    Your comments to others should be thorough and thoughtful; they should offer some new content. Engage directly with the ideas of your classmates and briefly mention which part of the post you are responding to. If you make a mistake or want to add anything to your posts, create a new post and label it as a replacement or addition to your previous post. Refer to the Discussion Rubric  for submission guidelines.

    Within Week 2, initial post due by 11:59 pm ET Sunday. Responses are due by 11:59 pm ET Wednesday.

• Week 2 Assignment: Security Slide Presentation

  • You have been hired as a new HIT coordinator at Salutem hospital.  On your first day, you notice several violations for which the hospital could be fined. You make it a priority to protect electronic communications between clients and vendors. In addition to protecting electronic communications, you want to ensure all of the patient’s PHIs are protected.  You decide to create a slideshow to address the new communications procedures and PHI security procedures for all employees to use as a guide.  

    Develop a 6-8 slide presentation to describe the new procedures you developed for electronic communications and patients’ PHIs. Refer to the Security Slide Presentation Rubric for submission guidelines.

    Due Wednesday, by 11:59 p.m. ET

Week 3 – Desktop PCs and Mobile Devices

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify ways to protect information displayed on devices
• Identify desktop components
• Describe how to build a desktop workstation

Course Materials:

• Ciampia, M. & Revels, M. (2013). Introduction to healthcare information technology (1st ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning 
  • Chapter 3
• Ventola, C. L. (2014). Mobile devices and apps for healthcare professionals: Uses and benefits. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 39(5), 356–364.
• Watch: Newegg Studios. (2011, May 13). Newegg TV: How to build a computer – Part 1 – Choosing your components [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw

Assignments:

• Week 3 Discussion: Protecting Data from Prying Eyes

  • People can often see confidential information on our computer screens without us being aware of it. Privacy screens are simple but effective solutions to protect data that is displayed on a screen because one must look directly at the screen to see the information; anyone looking from an angle won’t be able to see it.

    • Find three (3) other methods to protect displayed data.
    • Describe each method, including information on cost and ease of use.
    • Tell us which method(s) you would use to ensure the data is only viewed by authorized personnel and why you would choose those method(s).

    Remember: You must create an initial post and also comment on at least two other posts. Your initial post should be approximately 500 words and directly address the discussion prompt. Use APA style for references and when citing sources in-text.

    Your comments to others should be thorough and thoughtful; they should offer some new content. Engage directly with the ideas of your classmates and briefly mention which part of the post you are responding to. If you make a mistake or want to add anything to your posts, create a new post and label it as a replacement or addition to your previous post. Refer to the Discussion Rubric for submission guidelines.

    Initial post due by 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday. Responses due by 11:59 p.m. ET Wednesday.

• Week 3 Assignment: Virtual Computer Project

  • Imagine you have been asked to build a fully operational desktop computer by purchasing the required components needed and assembling them. A $1000.00 budget has been set aside for this project. Make sure you include shipping cost and any state taxes. If there are leftover funds, feel free to purchase any peripherals such as a printer, speakers, or software. Remember, the goal is to stay at $1000.00 or under, so do not overspend!

    Submit a document which includes a table and a reflection:

    • The table should contain the make, model and price of each item. The total price should appear in the final row of your table.
    • Your reflection should include a detailed summary to explain why you selected each component and how they are compatible with one another; you should also state whether or not you think building a PC is a good investment for your organization, or if you believe purchasing a system from a manufacturer would be better. 

    Refer to the Virtual Computer Project Rubric for submission guidelines.

    Here are recommended sites for pricing your computer components:

    www.newegg.com

    www.tigerdirect.com

    www.pcmall.com

    Websites such as Dell, Gateway, and HP cannot be used to configure your system. Purchase all pieces and parts separately.

    Virtual Computer Project due Wednesday, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Week 4 – Data Networking in Healthcare

Learning Outcomes:

• Discuss wireless networking in healthcare

Course Materials:

• Chapter 4 in the course text
• Software: Pearson CompTIA Network+ N10-006 Hands-on Lab Simulator

Assignments:

• Week 4 Discussion: Wireless Networking

  • Most networks are set up to allow a wireless connection, but caution needs to be taken to keep unauthorized devices from connecting to the network.

    • How often and when do you use wireless connection outside of your home or workplace?
    • How have wireless devices been implemented in your place of employment?
    • What type of encryption would you suggest to protect a hospital’s data from patients and visitors?
    • Finally, how would you explain the advantages of mobile technology to a hospital’s board of directors?

    Remember: You must create an initial post and also comment on at least two other posts. Your initial post should be approximately 500 words and directly address the discussion prompt. Use APA style for references and when citing sources in-text.

    Your comments to others should be thorough and thoughtful; they should offer some new content. Engage directly with the ideas of your classmates and briefly mention which part of the post you are responding to. If you make a mistake or want to add anything to your posts, create a new post and label it as a replacement or addition to your previous post. Refer to the Discussion Rubric for submission guidelines.

    Initial post due by 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday. Responses due by 11:59 p.m. ET Wednesday.

• DUE WEEK 5: Assignment: Simulator Labs

  • You will have two weeks to work through the labs listed below. At the end of the second week, you will turn in a screencast documenting the work you did. Please don’t wait until the second week to begin this project. 

    Back in week 1, you downloaded the Pearson CompTIA Network+ N10-006 Hands-on Lab Simulator.  You will need that simulator to do the work for this module. 

    • Please complete the labs listed below (sorted by category) to build basic troubleshooting skills, configure wireless settings, make standard patch cables and crossover cables, and develop user management skills.
    • Once all of the labs are completed, create a screencast in which you show all your scores/results and discuss what you learned as a result of doing the labs. Which sections did you find particularly challenging?

    Use Screencast-O-Matic or another screencasting tool to create your video. When you are done, upload your screencast to YouTube and submit the link to your YouTube video in Blackboard. Refer to the Network Simulator Rubric for submission guidelines.

    Labs:

    Matching:

    IPv4 Address Types and Classes

    Identifying Troubleshooting Commands to Use for Various Tasks

    Security Terminology and Descriptions

    Types of Network Threats and Attacks

    Security Appliance Terminology and Methods

    Drag and Drop:

    Identify Common Cat5 Wiring Problems

    Network Topologies

    Create a Straight Cable and Test It

    Create a Crossover Cable

    Matching Command Output to Command

    Simulation:

    Verify a Data Link Connection from a Computer to a Network

    Configuring a Client Network Adapter with an IPv4 Address

    Using ipconfig to Discover Network Settings

    Using ping to Troubleshoot Connectivity

    Using ARP to Discover a MAC Address

    Using ipconfig, ping, arp, and tracert Together to Troubleshoot Connectivity

    Manually Configuring Wireless Signals on a Small Office/Home Router

    Configuring Small Office/Home Office Router-Network User Security Settings

    Troubleshooting Practice

    Configuring Static Hostname Resolution on a Workstation

    Using NSLookup for DNS Troubleshooting

    DNS Troubleshooting Simulation

    Configure an IP Address on a Switch with a Default Gateway

    Configuring an Ethernet Interface on a Router

    Using tracert to Troubleshoot Connectivity

    Creating Network Users on a Domain Controller

    Configuring a VPN client

    Due Wednesday of week 5 by 11:59 p.m. ET.

Week 5 – Data Networking in Healthcare

Learning Outcomes:

• Explain how to set up basic networking

Course Materials:

• Chapter 4 in the course text
• Software: Pearson CompTIA Network+ N10-006 Hands-on Lab Simulator

Assignments:

• Week 5 Discussion: Databases and Servers

  • Databases have been around for some time, and have essentially become part of our daily lives.  Take a few minutes to think about everyday devices and how they are connected to a database.

    • Provide the class with a minimum of five (5) examples of databases, and how each of them is used in both your personal and professional lives.

    Remember: You must create an initial post and also comment on at least two other posts. Your initial post should be approximately 500 words and directly address the discussion prompt. Use APA style for references and when citing sources in-text.

    Your comments to others should be thorough and thoughtful; they should offer some new content. Engage directly with the ideas of your classmates and briefly mention which part of the post you are responding to. If you make a mistake or want to add anything to your posts, create a new post and label it as a replacement or addition to your previous post. Refer to the Discussion Rubric for submission guidelines.

    Initial post due by 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday. Responses due by 11:59 p.m. ET Wednesday.

• Week 5 Assignment: CompTIA Network+ N10-006 Hands-on Simulator Labs

  • Back in week 1, you downloaded the Pearson CompTIA Network+ N10-006 Hands-on Lab Simulator.  You will need that simulator to do the work for this module. 

    • Please complete the labs listed below (sorted by category) to build basic troubleshooting skills, configure wireless settings, make standard patch cables and crossover cables, and develop user management skills.
    • Once all of the labs are completed, create a screencast in which you show all your scores/results and discuss what you learned as a result of doing the labs. Which sections did you find particularly challenging?

    Use Screencast-O-Matic or another screencasting tool to create your video. When you are done, upload your screencast to YouTube and submit the link to your YouTube video in Blackboard. Refer to the Network Simulator Rubric for submission guidelines.

    Labs:

    Matching:

    IPv4 Address Types and Classes

    Identifying Troubleshooting Commands to Use for Various Tasks

    Security Terminology and Descriptions

    Types of Network Threats and Attacks

    Security Appliance Terminology and Methods

    Drag and Drop:

    Identify Common Cat5 Wiring Problems

    Network Topologies

    Create a Straight Cable and Test It

    Create a Crossover Cable

    Matching Command Output to Command

    Simulation:

    Verify a Data Link Connection from a Computer to a Network

    Configuring a Client Network Adapter with an IPv4 Address

    Using ipconfig to Discover Network Settings

    Using ping to Troubleshoot Connectivity

    Using ARP to Discover a MAC Address

    Using ipconfig, ping, arp, and tracert Together to Troubleshoot Connectivity

    Manually Configuring Wireless Signals on a Small Office/Home Router

    Configuring Small Office/Home Office Router-Network User Security Settings

    Troubleshooting Practice

    Configuring Static Hostname Resolution on a Workstation

    Using NSLookup for DNS Troubleshooting

    DNS Troubleshooting Simulation

    Configure an IP Address on a Switch with a Default Gateway

    Configuring an Ethernet Interface on a Router

    Using tracert to Troubleshoot Connectivity

    Creating Network Users on a Domain Controller

    Configuring a VPN client

    Due Wednesday, by 11:59 p.m. ET.

Week 6 – Medical Business, Sharing Information, and Troubleshooting

Learning Outcomes:

• Discuss the use of text messaging in professional situations
• Describe the clinical software troubleshooting process

Course Materials:

• Ciampia, M. & Revels, M. (2013). Introduction to healthcare information technology (1st ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning 
  • Chapters 5 & 6
• Web page: Your Mobile Device and Health Information Privacy and Security from HealthIT.gov (2014, March 21)
• Fact Sheet: Managing mobile devices in your health care organization from HealthIT.gov (n.d.)
• Watch: Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. (2012, December 12). Worried about using a mobile health device for work? Here’s what to do! [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz1ddGJn1PM

Assignments:

• Week 6 Discussion: Text Messaging

  • The use of text messaging to provide reminders and updates to patients is a hot topic in healthcare these days. Text messaging is one of the easiest and quickest ways to reach people, but there are concerns about security.

    • To gather a sense of how much text messaging is used in today’s society, tell us how many text messages you receive on a daily basis. How many are personal text messages, and how many are for business?
    • What kind of information do you prefer to receive via text? via email? via a phone call?
    • Do you think it is appropriate to send information to patients via text? Why or why not?

    Remember: You must create an initial post and also comment on at least two other posts. Your initial post should be approximately 500 words and directly address the discussion prompt. Use APA style for references and when citing sources in-text.

    Your comments to others should be thorough and thoughtful; they should offer some new content. Engage directly with the ideas of your classmates and briefly mention which part of the post you are responding to. If you make a mistake or want to add anything to your posts, create a new post and label it as a replacement or addition to your previous post. Refer to the Discussion Rubric for submission guidelines.

    Initial post due by 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday. Responses due by 11:59 p.m. ET Wednesday.

• Week 6 Assignment: Troubleshooting Screencast Presentation

  • The troubleshooting process can be distilled into four steps:

    Step 1: The system malfunctions and symptoms are identified.

    Step 2: A list of possible causes is generated based on existing knowledge, research, and/or previous experience.

    Step 3: Additional data is collected and, based on a process of elimination, the causes of the problem are determined.

    Step 4: The solution is tested to confirm that the problem has been solved.

    Read the scenario below and create a narrated slide presentation to describe the experiences the troubleshooter may encounter and to provide detail on how to solve the problem. Be sure to follow the four steps of the troubleshooting process. Create a screencast of your presentation. Refer to the Troubleshooting Screencast Presentation Rubric for submission guidelines.

    Scenario:

    The Superior Care Health Group (SCHG) recently installed a new system for electronically sending patient prescriptions to pharmacies. This new e-prescribing system was working well until recently. Now the system is displaying errors periodically. When this occurs, the prescribing doctor has to call the prescription into the pharmacy, which takes much more time. The new office manager, Braden Thomas, is responsible for maintaining the system. Braden found an error-log file in the system. These errors are perplexing and contain cryptic messages: 

    07, incorSCRIPT error #34rect PVD format

    PProc error #3212, Schedule 1 not allowed

    PProc error #3245, not in formulary

    After spending several hours changing various system configuration settings, the problems started getting worse. He finally realized that he doesn’t know enough about troubleshooting the system to correct the problems. Even worse, he doesn’t know whom to contact to solve the problem, other than the sales associate who sold SCHG the system. When he called that number, he was sent to voicemail. Meanwhile, the group’s doctors are expressing displeasure with his ability to manage the system.

    Use Screencast-O-Matic or another screencasting tool to create your video. When you are done, upload your screencast to YouTube and submit the link to your YouTube video in Blackboard. 

    Due Wednesday, by 11:59 p.m. ET

Week 7 – Health Information Security

Learning Outcomes:

• Discuss how human error can undermine security

Course Materials:

• Chapters 7 and 8 in the course text 
• McNeal, M. (2014). Hacking Healthcare. Marketing Health Services, 34(3), 16-21.
• Watch: HowTech. (2014, July 23). 5 things you didn’t know about public WiFi [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTEXgEHxkM0

Assignments:

• Week 7 Discussion: Health Information Security

  • Before responding to this week’s prompt, please watch the following two videos from the module course materials:

    • Human Hacking Exposed (Hadnagy, 2012)
    • 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Public WiFi (HowTech, 2014)

    Organizations spend a lot of money ensuring that their networks are secure. However, people can circumvent all that expensive security by preying on the fallibility of an organization’s employees. In fact, human error is one of the top security vulnerabilities organizations face in today’s society. Two ways that an employee might inadvertently allow someone to access confidential materials are by falling prey to Social Engineering or by using insecure wireless networks.

    Please comment on human error as a security vulnerability. Here are some questions that may help you formulate a comment:

    • Can you think of a time when someone you know may have inadvertently provided sensitive work and/or personal information? What were the ramifications?
    • Can you think of an instance when you used your mobile device (e.g., laptop, mobile phone, tablet) to connect to an unsecured wireless network to conduct important business such as banking transactions and/or updating work documents? If so, did you take the time to verify the legitimacy of the wireless hotspot? If so, how did you know that your wireless session was secure?

    Remember: You must create an initial post and also comment on at least two other posts. Your initial post should be approximately 500 words and directly address the discussion prompt. Use APA style for references and when citing sources in-text.

    Your comments to others should be thorough and thoughtful; they should offer some new content. Engage directly with the ideas of your classmates and briefly mention which part of the post you are responding to. If you make a mistake or want to add anything to your posts, create a new post and label it as a replacement or addition to your previous post. Refer to the Discussion Rubric for submission guidelines.

    Initial post due by 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday. Responses due by 11:59 p.m. ET Wednesday.

• Week 7 Assignment: MySQL Installation

  • Follow the instructions in the MySQL Installation Guide.

     to install MySQL (database server) and MySQL Workbench (MySQL Graphical Interface). Once the MySQL and MySQL Workbench installation is complete, open MySQL Workbench to install the necessary database files needed for this course.

    Installing database files:

    Download the student files.

    Once the file has been downloaded, navigate to page 563, step 4, and follow the remaining steps in this section to complete the installation of the database files.
    If Mac OS is being used for this course, navigate to page 573, step 4, and follow the remaining steps in this section to complete the installation of the database files.

    MySQL Password Reset on a Mac instructions 

    Submit screenshots of MySQL Workbench to BlackBoard to show the installation has been completed (A list of databases that have been installed will show up in the bottom left-hand corner of the ‘Management’ pane in MySQL Workbench).

Week 8 – Introduction to MySQL

Learning Outcomes:

• Start or stop the MySQL database server
• Use MySQL Workbench to enter, run, open, and save SQL statements and scripts

Course Materials:

• No assigned reading this week.

Assignments:

• Week 8 Assignment: Hands-on Exercise

  • Complete the exercises in Chapter 2 beginning on page 70 to become familiar with MySQL and Workbench before working on this week’s assignments.

    Complete the exercises below, following the instructions in the textbook (be sure to save each SQL by using the ‘Save Script As’ menu option):
     

    Chapter 3: Complete the exercises beginning on page 110. 
    Chapter 4: Complete the exercises beginning on page 146. 
    Chapter 5: Complete the exercises beginning on page 164.

    Once the exercises are completed, upload the saved SQL scripts to BlackBoard. Refer to Weekly Hands-on Database Assignment Rubric for submission standards.

    Due by 11:59 p.m. ET Wednesday.

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