Metropolitan Community College
Course Syllabus – Online Fall, 2009
COURSE IDENTIFICATION
Title: Intro to Medical Law and Ethics
Prefix/Section: HIMS 1150 WA
Credit Hours: 4.5 quarter hours
Begins/Ends/: August 29, 2009 – November 16, 2009
Last Day to Withdraw October 31, 2009
Delivery Type: Online
Course Web Address: http://angel.mccneb.edu/frames.aspx
HIMS Website: http://ctva.mccneb.edu/jchess
CONTACT INFORMATION
Instructor Name: Mary Pat Kleven
Office Location: DNA
Office Telephone: Daytime work number: (402) 343-4348
Facsimile: (402) 291-3982
Office Hours: By appointment
Cell Phone: (402) 490-6710
Email Address:
Academic Program Area: Information Technology and E-Learning
Department Dean: Thomas C. Pensabene
Dean’s Office Telephone: (402) 457-2660
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Description:
This course gives students a foundation into the federal and state laws and regulations of the medical profession and ethical issues associated with working in a healthcare setting. HIPAA regulations will be explored in detail. Course coverage will include professional, social, and interpersonal healthcare issues. Coverage will also include identification of measures to promote confidentiality as major changes in electronic health record (EHR) technology occur. Investigation of techniques to maintain the office safety, as well as the safety and confidentiality of patients and medical records, will also be included.
Course Prerequisites: None
Course Objectives:
· Compare and contrast the terms “law” and “ethics” as each relates to the medical profession.
· Explain why knowledge of law and ethics is important to healthcare practitioners.
· Distinguish among law, ethics, bioethics, etiquette and protocol.
· Name and describe important legislative acts which have influenced healthcare.
· Explain the purpose and principles associated with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance standards and how covered entities must comply with HIPAA provisions.
· Identify the seven patient rights as defined by HIPAA.
· Define professional liability and medical malpractice and identify measures to prevent litigation.
· Discuss the following as they relate to medical records: purposes, content, ownership, confidentiality, and use in litigation.
· Identify measures to promote confidentiality as major changes in technology occur.
· Describe how the laws affect the workplace as related to employment, safety of staff and patients, universal precautions, and workers’ compensation laws.
· Name and describe several bioethical issues which are currently arising and explain why they need to be addressed in a code of ethics.
· Use proven techniques to maintain the office safety of employees, patients, and medical records.
· Identify the basic tenets of health information privacy and security, including the roles of HIM professionals within the documentation domain.
· Explain the role of risk management in the healthcare setting and the correlation between documentation and risk management.
· Explain the role and function of The Joint Commission in establishing standards at the acute care provision level.
· Apply fundamental legal terms encountered in healthcare delivery, particularly as they pertain to patient privacy, safety, and security of health information.
Required & Supplemental Materials:
· Textbook: Required. Law & Ethics for Medical Careers, 5th edition
· By Karen Judson, Carlene Harrison, and Sharon Hicks; published by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2010.
Online: http://shop.efollett.com/htmlroot/storehome/metropolitancommunitycollege141.html
Course Structure:
There are three things that you as a student must accept before enrolling in an online course. If you dislike computer technology, you should not take an online course. You must be willing to learn the technology necessary to access online and web information, be willing to communicate with classmates and faculty online, and you have to be committed to doing assignments online. Because Metro's online courses use the Angel learning management system to deliver course content and learning activities and allow interaction between students and faculty, you will need to learn how to upload and download files, post to a discussion board, use the student drop box, and take online quizzes and timed tests. You will also have to be able to manage your time to produce assignments by the due date.
You will need to:
· Check your course Website at least four times a week for announcements, course information, new discussion postings, and assignments.
· Complete assignments on time and send them in at least 4 hours before the actual time due to allow your instructor adequate time to review your work and provide feedback.
· Demonstrate effective time management skills. Set up a study schedule and stick with it to help you avoid falling behind in the class.
· Contact your instructor by course email well in advance of due dates as you may need to wait 48 hours for a response to your questions.
Computer Access:
You can complete all online activities for your course at Metro's computer labs. If you prefer to work from home, we recommend the following minimum requirements for a computer:
Computer Requirements:
Your computer must be able to run one of the Angel compatible web browsers listed on the Browser Support Page: http://www.mccneb.edu/online/browsers.asp. Please review the instructions listed on this page to make sure that your computer will be able to connect to Angel and be able to perform all of the functions required to complete this course.
The instructor will not be able to assist with person computer related questions. Please refer to the “Getting Started Online” webpage at http://www.mccneb.edu/elearning/orientation.asp?Theme=5 or use the Help function provided with Angel. If you need personal assistance, please contact the Academic Resource Center at the campus closest to you. For locations and hours, check out http://www.mccneb.edu/arc/locations.asp.
Response Time: The Angel Mail tool should be used to direct questions about course content or personal communication with your instructor. Your instructor will generally respond within 48 hours to questions posed by students. You are strongly encouraged to use the Angel Discussion tool for feedback from other students about learning activities.
Technology Support:
· If you have difficulty connecting to the Internet, contact your Internet Service Provider.
· If you are having trouble connecting to the course, first refer to your Troubleshooting FAQ.
· If you are unable to solve the problem, call Metro Online Support at (402) 457-2866 or e-mail cwdavis@.mccneb.edu
COURSE ASSESSMENT
Online courses meet the same criteria for academic rigor and qualified faculty. Online courses promote active independent learning. Online courses combine the best features of on-campus instruction with the best features of online learning to promote active independent learning. Students are required to participate in all online activities in a timely manner. This does not mean there is less work in an online course than a traditional on-campus course. It means the same amount of work but most of the work is produced and submitted online. Students assume most of the responsibility for their own learning.
Methods of Assessing Student Progress:
· A module will be assigned each week, and each module contains six pages. Homework activities will be assigned each week. You will use your computer to participate in online learning activities, assignments, assessments, discussion, chat room and e-mail activities.
· Five timed objective tests will be given covering each of the chapters covered in this course (Chapters 1 - 12). The tests will cover the material from the textbook exercises, assignments, discussions, and reading materials.
· A final on-line timed medicolegal quiz
· Two PowerPoint Presentations to be prepared and emailed to the instructor - one relating to a legal case, the other an ethical issue.
Students will be evaluated on the basis of chapter assignments, concepts checks, theory exams, skills check activities, applications assessment proficiency exams and participation in discussions. All assignments are required, though not all may be graded.
Criteria for Determining Final Course Grade:
A - 90% - 100% / B - 80% - 89% / C - 70% - 79% / D - 60% - 69% / F - Below 60%Each assignment is giving a point value. Students can view their points via Angel. The final grade will be determined by a student’s performance in the following areas, each of which is weighed by the following percentage formula:
Homework Assignments / 14%Untimed Homework Quizzes / 11%
Chapter Tests, Reviews / 43%
Presentations / 12%
Mail, Discussion, and Chat Room / 20%
Total / 100%
Assessment Procedures:
Students MUST complete each timed test during the availability period. There will be no retakes of tests. Test dates are firm. Students must pay close attention to the availability periods for tests and assignments. If a student struggles with the timed tests, he/she may contact the instructor, and arrangements may be made to transfer to a traditional or blended section (if available).
Late Assignments:
Assignments must be submittedwhen due. Some assignments may be submitted up to one week late; however, the total points given on any late assignments will be reduced by at least 10%.
Maintenance of Student Records:
The instructor will make every effort to evaluate submitted assignments within a week. The timed chapter tests are graded immediately. Final grades will be entered through Metro’s on-line grading system. The instructor will keep a record of exam grades, quiz, and assignment grades for one year.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
Students will read the explanatory material contained in the textbook, participate in online course discussions, and complete all required exercises. Assignments will consist of hands-on activities using a microcomputer. All assignments must be completed in order to satisfactorily complete the requirements of this course.
· Read and study the textbook and Lecture, use supplemental resources as desired. Read and study the book for each section as well as the online Lecture. Take notes for yourself as you outline important ideas and examples.
· Keep in touch with your instructor and your classmates. You are encouraged to be touch with the instructor by telephone and Internet as deemed necessary.
· Use the discussion tool to post questions and answer questions posed by other students. Take advantage of this opportunity to interact with classmates.
· Use the mail tool to interact with your fellow students one-on-one.
· Timed Chapter Tests will be administered through the Quizzes link.
· Complete other assignments and embedded evaluations as specified by your instructor.
Course Communication:
You have three communication tools available within your course: Discussion, Mail (not a global Internet email but an email that is unique to the course), and Chat. You use the communication tools to ensure contact with:
Student (you) / Other students in the classOther students in the class / Mail / Chat or Discussion
Instructor (me) / Internet e-mail, Mail or Discussion / Chat or Discussion
Metropolitan Community College uses Microsoft products as its standard software. You must submit your assignments in Word .doc or .rtf format.
Participation Statement:
The course will be covered partially by assigned portions of the text and may be presented in a sequence different from the text. Material may also be covered that is not in the text. Reviewing all of the material in each module each week is necessary to understand the course material. Each student is expected to recognize the importance of time management and course participation.
Unsatisfactory progress will subject the student to administrative withdrawal from the course. An incomplete grade may be given in the event of a genuine emergency, and generally only if a student has completed 80 percent of all assignments.
Student Withdrawal:
It is strongly suggested that you work with the online materials and features within the first few days of the course. Online instruction is not the best method of delivery for everyone. You need to be sure that your hardware will support the course requirements and that your computer skills are adequate to handle course assignments. If you cannot complete this course, you should officially withdraw by calling Central Registration, (402) 457-5231 prior to the date listed above. Failure to officially withdraw will result in either an instructor withdraw (W) or failing (F) grade.
Academic Honesty Statement:
Nationally there have been increased incidences of cheating and plagiarism among the college and university student population. Although any case of cheating is cause for concern, it is an especially egregious violation in the medical and healthcare training fields. Patients trust their healthcare team with the most personal medical concerns and expect healthcare team members (including health information management personnel) to be competent and skilled in their area of expertise. This cannot be achieved if cheating or plagiarism is taking place during the educational process. Cheating of any kind in this field is an ethical violation and cannot be tolerated. In the healthcare community there is no room for individuals who are willing to compromise ethics for expediency.
All students are expected to abide by College policies. These policies exist so that all students may pursue their educational goals in a fair and non-threatening environment. Students are reminded that materials they may use as sources for this course may be subject to copyright protection. Additional information about copyright is provided on the library webpage at http://www.mccneb.edu/library, by your instructor, or by the College’s Copyright Officer. In response to incidents of student dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, etc.), the College imposes specific actions that may include receiving a failing grade on a test, failure in the course, suspension from the College, or dismissal from the College. The disciplinary procedures are available in Student Services.
When you use the communication tools in this course, it is vital that you respect the opinions and views of other students, refrain from slander and derogatory statements, and maintain the confidentiality of thoughts and ideas expressed by other students. You may wish to take the netiquette quiz and review the information at http://www.albion.com/netiquette/
Plagiarism:
In an instructional setting, plagiarism occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone else’s language, ideas, or other original (not common-knowledge) material without acknowledging its source. This definition applies to textual material published in print or online, to manuscripts, and to the work of other student writers. The purpose of the learning assignments in this course is to encourage students not simply to recycle information but to investigate and analyze its sources.
To promote ethical use of source materials and integrity in students’ written work, Metropolitan Community College subscribed to Turnitin.com, a service that provides document source analysis in order to detect plagiarism. Students enrolled in this course agree that all required work may be submitted by the Instructor to Turnitin.com. In an effort to assure that documents are written in an original “from scratch” format by the student, no more than 20% of a document may contain quoted material. If a student plagiarizes in excess of 20% of a document, that activity will receive a zero. A second submission in the course indicating plagiarism in excess of 20% will result in failure of the course.