This course explores in depth database basics such as the relational algebra and data model, schema normalization, query optimization, and transactions. The course addresses current needs in database design and use for optimized human-computer interaction, for rigorous security, and for robust modeling that can transform raw data into useful information. This course will also provide a deep exploration into data standards and what part that plays in the field of Informatics. Students will gain a solid understanding of, and extensive practice with, structured query language (SQL).
Apply core concepts of database design to manage large amounts of data created and used in healthcare.
Weekly Discussion Posts — For each discussion board, you must submit an original post and respond to at least 2 posts from your colleagues.
Hands-on database work from the textbook — In weeks 1, 2, 4, and 6 there will be hands-on database work using the exercises from the textbook and MySQL. You will submit screencasts of the SQL scripts you create.
Course Project – This project will be completed in three parts and will enable you to demonstrate your database and structured query language skills.
Diabetes Project Part 1 — In week 3, you will create a database to address an authentic problem in health informatics.
Diabetes Project Part 2 — In week 5, using the database you developed in part 1, you will create a view in your database project and present using Screencast-O-Matic (or another screencasting tool).
Diabetes Project Part 3 — In week 7, you will modify your database to add different types of users and create a screencast to present your diabetic registry database to a Health Board.
Reflection Paper — Week 8
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Assessment Item | Possible Points | Percent of Total Grade |
---|---|---|
Installation of software and data | 4 | 4% |
Discussion Boards | 24 (4 points each) | 24% |
Hands-on textbook assignments | 28 (2 pts per chapter) | 28% |
Diabetes Project (3 parts) | 35 (part 1 = 15 pts, part 2 = 10 pts, part 3 = 10 pts) | 35% (15%, 10%, 10%) |
Final Reflection | 9 | 9% |
Total | 100 points | 100% |
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 |
Learning Modules | Topics | Assignments and Due Dates |
Week 1 8/28 – 9/4 |
Health Informatics – An Introduction to Relational Databases | Hands-on Database Assignments – Wednesday 9/4 |
Week 2 9/4 – 9/11 |
Using Queries to Extract Data and Database Creation |
Discussion – Initial post by Sunday 9/8, responses by Wednesday 9/11 Hands-on Database Assignments – Wednesday 9/11 |
Week 3 9/11 – 9/18 |
Database Development and Presentation |
Discussion – Initial post by Sunday 9/15, responses by Wednesday 9/18 Diabetes Project Part 1 – Wednesday 9/18 |
Week 4 9/18 – 9/25 |
More SQL Skills |
Discussion – Initial post by Sunday 9/22, responses by Wednesday 9/25 Hands-on Database Assignments – Wednesday 9/25 |
Week 5 9/25 – 10/2 |
Creating Views |
Discussion – Initial post by Sunday 9/29, responses by Wednesday 10/2 Hands-on Database Assignments – Wednesday 10/2 Diabetes Project Part 2 – Wednesday 10/2 |
Week 6 10/2 – 10/9 |
An introduction to database administration activities |
Discussion – Initial post by Sunday 10/6, responses by Wednesday 10/9 Hands-on Database Assignments – Wednesday 10/9 |
Week 7 10/9 – 10/16 |
Finishing touches and final database presentation |
Diabetes Project Part 3 – Wednesday 10/16 |
Week 8 10/16 – 10/20 |
Final Reflection | Assignment, Week 8 – Sunday 10/20 |
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.
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).
Complete the exercises below, following the instructions in the textbook. Be sure to save each SQL script by using the ‘Save Script As’ menu option:
Once the exercises are completed, upload the saved SQL scripts to Blackboard. Refer to Weekly Hands-on Database Assignment Rubric for submission standards.
Now that you’ve learned how to create databases and tables, and learned how to select and manipulate data, you can think about describing your life in the form of SQL statements. Using proper SQL format, write a SQL statement to describe an accomplishment, a feeling, or an event that you do not mind sharing with your peers.
Follow the instructions (Be sure to save each SQL script by using the ‘Save Script As’ menu option):
Once the exercises are completed, upload the saved SQL scripts to Blackboard. Refer to Weekly Hands-on Database Assignment Rubric for submission standards.
In the culminating assignment for this course, you will create a database to address an authentic problem in health informatics. This project will be completed in three parts and will enable you to demonstrate your database and structured query language skills.
You have just been promoted to the position of HIT coordinator. In your new role, you have been asked to develop a diabetic registry using a database. The purpose of the diabetic registry is to provide a snapshot of the patients’ progress to providers an easy to read format. It will allow providers to determine if further intervention is needed for their patients. First, research diabetic registries to determine what data to capture and how to effectively monitor diabetic patients. After researching diabetic registries, develop and create a database with a minimum of three tables using a unique identifier as a link. For example, create a table for demographics, a table for glycemic control, a table for coronary risk factors, and a table for microvascular end-organ disease.
Once the database has been created, populate the tables with at least twenty (20) patients using various results for their labs. After data has been entered, use Screencast-O-Matic (or another screencasting tool) to present the database you created. During the presentation, describe how the tables are linked, what type of fields used in each table, e.g., date/time, numeric, text. Upload the screencast to YouTube, and submit the link in BlackBoard.
You have learned what relational databases are, and looked at how these databases can be used to collect and organize data in a central location through multiple tables and unique IDs. Now think about an instance when you wished you had all the information needed to complete a project in one location. Describe how you could organize this database. How many tables would it take to organize the information, and why? Would queries be used? If so, how and why?
Follow the instructions (Be sure to save each SQL script by using the ‘Save Script As’ menu option):
Once the exercises are completed, upload the saved SQL scripts to Blackboard.
Be sure to save each SQL script by using the ‘Save Script As’ menu option:
Once the exercises are completed, upload the saved SQL scripts to Blackboard.
EHR data can be used to construct bills, track disease progression, measure provider performance, among a host of other activities. Data for these activities are accessed through a view. For the substantive post, please provide an example of your own, list the variables required to create the view required of the activity, who has access to the data, and whether the data should be read-only or whether it can be updated.
In the discussion response, provide a constructive critique. Include comments regarding whether all the variables been identified? Which variables are missing? Which variables are superfluous? What role (provider, nurse, financial, quality) would use the view and is the data normally associated with that role?
Using the database you developed in part 1, create a view in your database project to compare A1Cs between male and female patients. Next, create another view to display patients with an A1C of 6.5 or higher.
Use Screencast-O-Matic (or another screencasting tool) to demonstrate the views that were created. Upload the screencast to YouTube and submit the link to the screencast along with the saved SQL statements used to create the views.
User management is a requirement to ensure appropriate access is given to any system by managing what end users are able to access and modify. Without thinking about user management for an electronic system such as a database application, think about how users were managed before the use of electronic systems. How did your place of employment (or a place you are familiar with) ensure information was accessible only by authorized personnel? If your place of employment is not currently using an electronic storage system, how are records stored, and how is access controlled?
Be sure to save each SQL script by using the ‘Save Script As’ menu option:
Once the exercises are completed, upload the saved SQL scripts to Blackboard.
This week you will secure your database by adding users, and creating a backup of your project.
Review materials from previous weeks and refer to the MySQL Reference Manual to assist with completing your assignments.
For the final part of your Diabetes Project, you will modify your database to add different types of users and create a screencast to present your diabetic registry database to a Health Board. Use the database you developed and create at least four (4) users with different access levels to the database. Of course, one of the users will be the root, or administrator, then create a user that can perform database backups, a user who can enter and modify data (but not delete data), and a user who can only access the views that were created last week.
Once the finishing touches have been completed, use Screencast-O-Matic (or another screencasting tool) to create a presentation to propose your database to a health board. Upload the presentation to YouTube and submit the link to the presentation along with a copy of the database backup.
This is the last week of class, and it is a short week, ending on Sunday.
Consider your challenges and victories in this term. If you struggled with a concept, please describe your experience and how you were able to move forward.
Which concepts did you find most interesting? How can you see applying what you’ve learned in this course to your professional life?
Peer response is not necessary this week.
Using the knowledge and skills you have obtained throughout this course, write a 3-5 page APA formatted paper discussing the importance of databases in healthcare, the importance of entering quality data, and the importance of assigning appropriate privileges in databases and the applications used to access databases.
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