Changing the Face of Health Information Technology at WGTC


 
Andrea Hopper, left, and Bev Faircloth work in the health information technology department at SGMC.

November 10, 2010

Valdosta, GA—The professionals who work in the ever-evolving field of health information technology will be recognized throughout the United States and Canada during Health Information and Technology Week, Nov. 7 - 13. The theme for the 21st annual event is “Ensuring Health Information Integrity.”

Fast-paced changes in technology have accelerated demand for HIT professionals whose responsibility is to ensure that the health information used in care, research, and health management is valid, accurate, complete, trustworthy, and timely. While technology can improve data quality and efficiency in consumer healthcare, management of health information is one of the most complex challenges facing healthcare organizations today.

Health Information and Technology Week is a great opportunity to raise awareness and celebrate the progress and benefits of HIM and IT professionals working in tandem to deliver quality healthcare through quality information.

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is currently meeting the needs of the profession by training students in its health information technology associate degree program. HIT graduates will have technical skills and knowledge to function in a profession that requires processing, compiling and maintaining health information data for reimbursement, facility planning, marketing, risk management, quality management, utilization management and research.

The current coding system, ICD-9-CM, has been the U. S. standard diagnostic classification for many years while the rest of the world moved to the ICD-10 system. The U.S. will implement ICD-10 beginning in October 2013. Students currently in the program have already started preparing for the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 coding. The transition will be a major change for all healthcare facilities.

HIT is increasingly viewed as the most promising tool for improving the overall quality, safety, and efficiency of the health delivery system. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College currently offers the program on the Valdosta campus in a traditional or hybrid classroom setting, and is also offered as a complete online program.

WGTC is staying ahead of the changes in health care technology. Beginning winter quarter, WGTC will offer the Health Care Access Associate technical certificate of credit. Patient access services include the department or staff of a hospital that performs scheduling, insurance authorization and verification, registration and admissions, and serves as the point of service to patients. WGTC students will be fully trained to go to work in this field after graduation.

“The new program was born from the need to train front line employees in a medical setting,” said Susan Jackson, WGTC program coordinator. “South Georgia Medical Center and Smith Northview Hospital have seen a growing need for training in this area so Wiregrass Georgia Tech is thrilled to have the opportunity to meet their needs with this new program.”

The program at WGTC is the first of its kind in the state. It is designed to encourage professional growth in the field and prepare the student to sit for the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) exam for certification as a Certified Healthcare Access Associate.

WGTC will also add a new HIT Coding Associate program in January. This technical certificate replaces the current institutionally developed TCC, medical coding and insurance data entry specialist. Local healthcare facilities have requested that the college provide in-depth training for hospital coders and the new program will more closely relate to what local employers prefer.

Winter quarter begins Jan. 10, 2011. For more information about the health information technology program at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, contact Susan Jackson at (229) 333-2100 ext. 6495 or susan.jackson@wiregrass.edu.