Meeting & Agendas

Meeting called to order by Cynthia Colovas, Advisory Committee Chair. Members greeted and introduced themselves to other members.

Members reviewed minutes from May 4, 2012 meeting. Norma Mercado announced that in the future, HITT advisory board meetings will be held in January and June months. Motion and second for approval (Donna Carl/Sharon Moody) Unanimously accepted as written.

a). Norma Mercado reported that she had been working on curriculum changes and on January 18, she had submitted a follow up report to CAHIIM. Ellen Wuertz briefly gave an overview of the follow up items CAHIIM had requested. CAHIIM had asked that the HIT program describe activities corresponding to appropriate taxonomy levels for student learning. In addition, CAHIIM asked an Electronic Health Record course be implemented. Cynthia Colovas asked for an example of the kinds of activities students will be having. Norma Mercado briefly reviewed a few examples of the activities. Student activities were added to their corresponding syllabi and have been posted in blackboard. All program faculty/Prior to Spring 2013 semester b). Norma announced that HITT 1311, Health Information Systems, will be offered in the fall 2013 semester for the first time. The course will be a hybrid course. Students will be using the Medcin software and will also have access to the virtual lab. At the end of fall 2013, the program will evaluate the HITT 1311 course and will consider whether the course should be kept as a hybrid course or whether a change in delivery method is warranted. Norma Mercado/ End of Fall 2013 semester c). Norma Mercado reported that 13 students participated in the HIT program evaluation survey. The data was gathered through Survey Monkey. Norma Mercado reported that overall, students were satisfied with courses and course materials. Students indicated that course objectives had been met, instructors were available to assist and that at clinical they were kept busy most of the time if not all of the time. The only concern about the clinical that was mentioned by a few students was that some students felt they were not given the opportunity to know other areas at their clinical sites. After having discussion as to how to handle this concern, some of the representatives at the meeting suggested that students may need to be oriented as to the expectations at clinical sites. Summarize and email evaluation results end of semester evaluations. Norma Mercado/End of each semester d). Ellen Wuertz reported that out of the 10 students who had graduated from the AAS program, one student had passed the RHIT exam, one took the exam but did not pass, and eight showed to be working but had not taken the exam. Norma Mercado reported that most students were taking 6-9 semesters to complete the program. Norma also reported that 8 students had graduated from the Medical Coding certificate program during 2011-2012 Academic Year and 17 students were enrolled in the program during the 2012-2013 Academic Year. 34 students were enrolled in the AAS degree during 2012-2013 academic years. Eileen Klein stated that it was required that employment be tracked after the student graduates and that students be encouraged to go test for their licensures after graduating. There was discussion as to how to provide incentives for student to test after graduating. Some of the members felt cost for the exam may be the reason why students are not testing. Eileen Klein asked the Board to consider if students could seek reimbursement from the employers if licensure is required for the job. Eileen Klein stated that ACC is required to report completion progress to the State. She also added that financial aid is prorated and those students who do not complete on time usually end up losing financial aid money. e). Norma Mercado reviewed and discussed the Academic Master plan.

Norma Mercado stated that on November 4, she had met with four clinical supervisors to discuss projects for clinical sites. During fall 2013, Norma Mercado will be working with ACC marketing on a commercial to promote the HITT program. The commercial will be televised on KVUE. Eileen Klein announced that ACC was looking for a full time employee for the HITT Program. The job has been posted for more information.

Norma Mercado reported that she had two new affiliations, Capital Family Practice and Reliant Health Care. She said that she was talking to the Texas Health Department, Cancer Service, AMPM Billing, and Odee Oren Billing as potential new sites. She will know in April for sure. Norma Mercado reported that Scott&White’s, Christy Rogers, had said they are not accepting students.

Meeting adjourned. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned by Cynthia Colovas.