Normally, we would complete on-site visits to health care and/or health care related facilities (e.g., VA Hospital or UCF Student Health Center) that would be scheduled to provide “hands-on” experiences in HIM-related activities and departments.  However, lieu of the current pandemic, there will not be a site visit.

Instead, you will need to perform independent research and complete a write-up based on the information you find on their website to answer the below questions.

Ideas for facilities to select include, but are not limited to: VA Hospital, UCF Health Center, Orlando Health, Advent Health, Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Cleveland Clinic. Feel free to select one of these or an alternative site of your own choosing that you are interested in.

1. Provide a summary of the history of the facility/organization.
2. What are the main services offered? Do they specialize in anything?
3. What is the process for requesting medical records?
4. Do they offer a patient portal? If so, what is the registration process?
5. Which electronic health record do they use?
6. In researching the specific electronic health record, what are some features that set it apart from other vendors?
7. What options do patients have for making appointments? Can they schedule online or are they required to call?
8. What services does the HIM department provide, according to the website?
9. Does the facility/organization participate in a health information exchange? How would participation help to support patient care at this facility?
10. What changes have the facility/organization put in place to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic?
11. How has HIM specifically had to change their processes as a result of the pandemic?
12. What questions do you have about health information management's role that is not clearly defined on the facility/organization's website? 

You may need to use additional websites to research the facility/organization, HIM services, pandemic responses, traditional operations, etc. Here are a few that will offer such information:

1. AHIMA - http://ahima.org
2. Journal of AHIMA - http://journal.ahima.org/
3. HealthCare Informatics - http://hcinnovationgroup.com/
4. HIMSS - http://himss.org/
5. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services - http://cms.gov/
6. Healthcare IT News - http://www.healthcareitnews.com/
7. For The Record - http://www.fortherecordmag.com/