Domain 5 RHIA Study Questions

External change agents have the advantage over internal agents regarding: a. Benchmarking the healthcare entity against other entities b. Being less objective c. Understanding the history of the entity d. Being less expensive to employ

a. Benchmarking the healthcare entity against other entities The external change agent has the advantage of providing a fresh, outside view as well as having the knowledge base to compare performance across organizations. Not having direct connections to the organization, he or she usually feels more comfortable challenging norms and culture, questioning unusual or unfair practices, and generally noting events that others may be reluctant to comment on. Being from the outside, he or she may be seen as having new skills and being more objective, or at least less biased, than an internal agent

Use of a variety of content delivery methods to accommodate different types of learners is called: a. Blended learning b. Programmed learning c. Classroom learning d. Online learning

a. Blended learning Blended learning uses several delivery methods thereby gaining the advantages and reducing the disadvantages of each method alone

Western States Medical Center consistently sends their HIM staff to AHIMA's component state association annual conference in an effort to provide continuing education and training for these employees. How does this investment in continuing education by Western States Medical Center support their commitment to quality? a. By providing a culture of competence through staff development and learning b. By allowing employees the opportunity to meet people from other organizations c. By providing employees time away from the department d. By allowing the organization to spend down its resources

a. By providing a culture of competence through staff development and learning Organizations that embrace ongoing performance improvement do so because their leaders foster a culture of competence through staff self-development and lifelong learning. The competitive advantage for healthcare organizations today lies in their intellectual capital and organizational effectiveness

What is one way in which healthcare organizations can combat the resistance to change commonly experienced by employees during a transition? a. Communicate openly with employees about all aspects of the change b. Remain silent about the change until it is ready to be implemented c. Communicate the change with high-level leaders only d. Inform employees that change is happening without explanation

a. Communicate openly with employees about all aspects of the change Left to their own thoughts and feelings and without sufficient information during this phase of organizational change, individuals may decide to escape their discomfort and confusion by leaving the organization. Resistance to change is a common threat to change. When the change process is understood, however, the transitional period can be a time of renewal and creativity

Net income is defined as the: a. Difference between revenue and expenses b. Difference between total assets and total liabilities c. Difference between revenue and total liabilities d. Difference between net assets and expenses

a. Difference between revenue and expenses The arithmetic difference between total revenue and total expenses is net income

Dr. Hansen saw a patient in his office with measles. He directed his office staff to call the local department of health to report this case of measles. The office manager called right away and completed the report as instructed. Which of the following provides the correct analysis of the actions taken by Dr. Hansen's office? a. Dr. Hansen's office followed protocol and reported this case of measles correctly. b. Dr. Hansen's office did not need to report this case to the local health department. c. Dr. Hansen's office should have mailed a letter to the local health department to report this case. d. Dr. Hansen's office should have reported the case to the local hospital and not the health department.

a. Dr. Hansen's office followed protocol and reported this case of measles correctly. All states have a health department with a division that is required to track and record communicable diseases. When a patient is diagnosed with one of the diseases from the health department's communicable disease list, the healthcare provider must notify the public health department. Measles is a condition that should be reported within 24 hours to the health department

When an effective leader provides employees with information, responsibility, authority, and trust, this is called: a. Empowerment b. Promotion c. Vision d. Delegation

a. Empowerment Empowerment is the concept of providing employees with the tools and resources to solve problems themselves. In other words, employees obtain power over their work situation by assuming responsibility. Empowered employees have the freedom to contribute ideas and perform their jobs in the best possible way

The process of conducting a thorough review of the internal and external conditions in which a healthcare entity operates is called: a. Environmental assessment b. Operations improvement planning c. Strategic management d. Employment assessment

a. Environmental assessment Knowledge of the internal and external environment is essential to vision and strategy formulation. An environmental assessment is defined as a thorough review of the internal and external conditions in which an organization operates. This data-intensive process is the continuous process of gathering and analyzing intelligence about trends that are—or may be—affecting an organization and industry. IBM did not see the market demands and change in the personal home computing environment quickly enough, so their competitors were out to market ahead of them

The leader of the coding performance improvement team wants all team members to clearly understand the coding process. What tool could help accomplish this objective? a. Flowchart b. Force-field analysis c. Pareto chart d. Scatter diagram

a. Flowchart To help all members understand the process, a team will undertake development of a flowchart. This work allows the team to thoroughly understand every step in the process and the sequence of steps. It provides a picture of each decision point and each event that must be completed. It readily points out places where there is redundancy and complex and problematic areas

Contracting for staffing to handle a complete function within the HIM department, such as the Cancer Registry function, would be considered what type of contracting arrangement? a. Full-service b. Part-time c. Project-based d. Temporary

a. Full-service When a manager is planning to contract for staffing in a transitional situation in order to meet organizational goals, various types of arrangements can be considered. Full-service contracting would be handing off a complete function to the contracted company

If parties to a contract agree to hold each other harmless for each other's actions or inactions, this is referred to as a(n): a. Indemnification b. Liability c. Offer d. Warranty

a. Indemnification The purpose of hold harmless or indemnification clauses is to either transfer or assume liability. For example, the indemnitor (party assuming liability) may agree to hold the other party harmless against claims arising from the indemnitor's own actions or failures to act. This means if actions (or inactions) result in harm to the other party, the indemnitor will seek to make that party whole, often through some sort of compensation

The Hay method is used to measure the three levels of major compensable factors: the know-how, problem-solving, and accountability requirements of each position. This system is used for: a. Job evaluation b. Interviewing applicants c. Performance measurement d. Work scheduling

a. Job evaluation The Hay Guide Chart-Profile Method of Job Evaluation is widely used as a job evaluation tool

Successful strategic managers understand that three competencies are common to all successful change and that these competencies can and must be developed. These three competencies are: a. Leadership, change management, and strategic development b. Organizational learning, visioning, and leadership c. Visioning, managing, and change management d. Improvement, visioning, and managing

a. Leadership, change management, and strategic development Every aspect of management involves a strategic management component. With organizational learning as a centerpiece, this approach unifies change management, strategy development, and leadership. In all three, people learn by observing and reflecting on the results of experiences

Which of the following would not be included in a healthcare entity's strategic profile? a. Nature of its threats and opportunities b. Nature of its customers or users c. Nature of its market segments d. Nature of its geographic markets

a. Nature of its threats and opportunities The strategic profile identifies the existing key services or products of the department or organization, the nature of its customers and users, the nature of its market segments, and the nature of its geographic markets

The leaders of a healthcare entity are expected to select an entity-wide performance improvement approach and to clearly define how all levels of the entity will monitor and address improvement issues. The Joint Commission requires ongoing data collection that might require possible improvement for which of the following areas? a. Operative and other invasive procedures, medication management, and blood and blood product use b. Blood and blood product use, medication management, and appointment to the board of directors c. Medication management, marketing strategy, and blood use d. Operative and other invasive procedures, appointments to the board of directors, and restraint and seclusion use

a. Operative and other invasive procedures, medication management, and blood and blood product use Appointments to the board of directors is important information, but the Joint Commission requires detailed information on the responsibilities and actions of the board, not necessarily its composition. The Joint Commission requires healthcare organizations to collect data on each of these areas: medication management, blood and blood product use, restraint and seclusion use, behavior management and treatment, operative and other invasive procedures, and resuscitation and its outcomes

What term is used to represent a difference between the budgeted amount and the actual amount of a line item that is not expected to reverse itself during a subsequent period? a. Permanent variance b. Fixed cost c. Temporary variance d. Flexible cost

a. Permanent variance A permanent variance is a financial term that refers to the difference between the budgeted amount and the actual amount of a line item that is not expected to reverse itself during a subsequent period

The lead coder in a health information department has been the acknowledged coding expert for a number of years. As implementation of an computer-assisted coding (CAC) system moves forward, it becomes evident this coder has an aversion to technology, is resistant to the CAC system, and is losing confidence in her coding skills. In project management terms, this creates a: a. Project risk b. Technical risk c. Failure mode d. Scope creep

a. Project risk As much as individuals differ in their responses to change, it should not be surprising that various departments, units, and professions as well as other stakeholders also can vary in their responses. The level of perceived impact on organizational and unit culture as well as effect on work styles and turf can dramatically affect responses. For example, in some departments where there is little direct impact, staff may experience minor disruption of daily work and status quo. On the other hand, those who are more affected may show a decline in productivity, have lower morale, and express more complaints. To account for the inevitable changes, the project manager should be aware of the potential risks of the project and may need to make adjustments

The performance standard to "respond to release of information requests for continuing care in one working day 95 percent of the time" is an example of a: a. Qualitative standard b. Quantitative standard c. Joint Commission standard d. Compliance standard

a. Qualitative standard Qualitative standards specify the level of service from a function such as accuracy rate, error rate, turnaround time, and response time In this case, timely response to release of information requests can indirectly impact patient care. To properly communicate performance standards, managers need to make the distinction between quantitative and qualitative standards and identify examples of each for the health information systems (HIS) functions

What is the process of finding, soliciting, and attracting new employees called? a. Recruitment b. Retention c. Orientation d. Hiring

a. Recruitment Recruitment is the process of finding, soliciting, and attracting new employees. However, the manager should be sure to understand the organization's recruitment and hiring policies and to seek the assistance of the HR department before the vacancy is publicized

Stacy is the nursing manager for the cardiology services at a local hospital. The hospital has recently emphasized a policy requiring all managers to track and report their employees' absences from work. Stacy feels that this requirement is time-consuming and unnecessary. Why would the hospital require their managers to complete this process? a. Reports of absences are tabulated and examined for a possible HAI connection. b. Reports of absences are used to determine employee satisfaction. c. Administration is concerned about the hospital's image in the community. d. Administration is attempting to micromanage their clinical services.

a. Reports of absences are tabulated and examined for a possible HAI connection. An aspect of infection surveillance involves employee health and illness tracking. Employees are a critical vector for bringing community-acquired infections into healthcare settings. Policies related to the tracking of employee absences exist for the specific purpose of preventing infection via healthcare workers. Reports of employee absences are tabulated and examined for any possible connection to cases of HAI

A transcription manager is assigned to a project team that is implementing a voice recognition system. He reports to the director of health information services for regular job functions and to the project manager for tasks related to the project. This is an example of which type of project management structure? a. Strong matrixed b. Projectized c. Functional d. Weak matrixed

a. Strong matrixed The strong matrix organization is very similar to the balanced matrix but includes a department of project managers. In these organizations, project managers are not functional staff members assuming the role of project manager but rather project manager specialists reporting to a manager of project management. The strong matrix organizations provide the project manager a moderate to high level of authority over the project and project resources

Fifty percent of an HIM department's staff have a nationally recognized credential. This is an example of what type of performance measurement: a. System b. Process c. Internal d. Outcome

a. System The foundations of care giving, which include buildings (environmental services), equipment (technical services), professional staff (human resources), and appropriate policies (administrative systems) are examples of system performance measurements. Fifty percent of an HIM department's staff having a nationally recognized credential would be an example of a performance measure in the system

Systems thinking focuses on an understanding of which of the following? a. The relationships among parts and processes of the healthcare entity and how they work together b. The operational level of strategy c. How successful leader traits develop and may be overused d. The formulation of envisioning used by the leader to develop esprit

a. The relationships among parts and processes of the healthcare entity and how they work together A critical element of systems thinking is viewing an organization as an open system of interdependencies and connectedness rather than a collection of individual parts and professional enclaves. This approach sees interrelatedness as a whole and looks for patterns rather than snapshots of organizational activities and processes

How are employee performance standards used? a. To communicate performance expectations b. To assign daily work c. To describe the elements of a job d. To prepare a job advertisement

a. To communicate performance expectations Standards that are measurable and relevant to an employee's overall performance are helpful in setting clear expectations. They also are useful in providing constructive feedback

Generally, substantial performance by one party to a contract will obligate the other party: a. To perform their contractual obligations b. Not to perform their contractual obligations c. To void the contract d. To invalidate the contract

a. To perform their contractual obligations A contract action arises when one party claims that the other party has failed to meet an obligation set forth in a valid contract. Another way to state this is that the other party has breached the contract. The resolution available is either compensation or performance of the obligation

Based on the financial data listed above, what was Triad's net income?Triad Healthcare Financial Data 12/31/201XCash$500,000A/R$250,000Building$1,000,000Land$700,000A/P$350,000Mortgage$600,000Revenue$2,500,000Expenses$2,250,000 a. $150,000 b. $250,000 c. $400,000 d. $1,500,000

b. $250,000 The net income is based only on the arithmetic difference between total revenue and total expenses of the current fiscal year. The difference between the total revenue of $2,500,000 and the total expenses of $2,250,000 is $250,000

A coding service had 400 discharged records to code in March. The service coded 200 within 3 days, 100 within 5 days, 50 within 8 days, and 50 within 10 days. The average turnaround time (TAT) for coding in March was: a. 3 days b. 5 days c. 6.5 days d. 9 days

b. 5 days The average turnaround time was calculated by dividing the total response days attributed to the volume of routine requests that were responded to within the reporting period by the volume of routine requests responded to. The calculation is: (200 × 3) + (100 × 5) + (50 × 8) + (50 × 10)/400 = 5 days

Research on emotional intelligence shows that: a. Emotions do not have much of a role in the workplace b. A combination of feelings and rationality make managers more successful c. It is a clearly defined measure that can be precisely assessed d. Effective managers and successful managers are the same

b. A combination of feelings and rationality make managers more successful Advocates of emotional intelligence believe that awareness and use of feelings complements rational intelligence and experience, and it is the combination of these that is the key to success

The financial statement that communicates the financial position of an organization at a certain point in time is called the: a. Income statement b. Balance sheet c. Statement of cash flows d. Statement of retained earnings

b. Balance sheet A balance sheet is a snapshot of the accounting equation at a point in time

Change management includes: a. Identifying problems b. Being available to listen to staff c. Redesigning processes d. Educating staff on new processes

b. Being available to listen to staff Communication is key to engaging others in the vision and change process. The communication plan must offer groups the opportunity to talk back. Listening to staff concerns through the process is an important element

The three levels of communication important to successful EHR implementation among internal stakeholders include all of the following except: a. Between executive leadership, stakeholders, and vendors b. Between stakeholders and standard-setting organizations c. From stakeholder to stakeholder d. Between executive leadership and internal stakeholders

b. Between stakeholders and standard-setting organizations Through the system implementation, stakeholders should be kept apprised of the project status. This is important to ensure the various users begin to understand the project and do not get the feeling that it is happening in a vacuum. Communication can be accomplished through formal and informal methods. Communication between stakeholders and standards setting organizations would not occur during system implementation

A director of health information services in a hospital wants to implement a computer-based patient record system over the next 2 years. She gets support from the CIO, who advocates for the project with the administrative team. The CIO has become the project's ________. a. Stakeholder b. Champion c. Manager d. Owner

b. Champion The project champion is an executive in the organization who believes in the benefits of the project and advocates for the project. Depending on the overall impact the project has on the healthcare organization, this individual may be the manager of the HIM department or the director over the business unit where the HIM department resides, or it could be the chief operations officer

Monitoring incidents of patients' falls can be used to measure effectiveness of hospital staff. This type of indicator would be considered a(n): a. Employee measure b. Clinical measure c. Human resource measure d. Process measure

b. Clinical measure There must be at least two clinical measures and two human resources indicators for each patient population, defined by internal performance improvement activities. At a minimum, the organization identifies no fewer than two inpatient care areas for which staffing effectiveness data are collected. Identified performance measures relate to processes appropriate to the care and services provided and to problem-prone areas experienced in the past (for example, infection rates or incidences of patient falls). The rationale for indicator selection is based on relevance and sensitivity to each patient area where staffing is planned

For a contract to be valid, it must include three elements. Which of the following is one of those elements? a. Assumption of risk b. Consideration c. Statute of limitations d. Notice of liability

b. Consideration The elements of a contract must be stated clearly and specifically. A contract cannot exist unless all the following elements exist: there must be an agreement between two or more persons or entities and the agreement must include a valid offer, acceptance, and exchange of consideration

All variances (as related to accounting) should be labeled as either: a. Good or bad b. Favorable or unfavorable c. Positive or negative d. Over budget or under budget

b. Favorable or unfavorable Variances are often calculated on the monthly budget report. The organization's policies and procedures manual defines unacceptable variances or variances that must be explained. In identifying variances, it is important to recognize whether the variance is favorable or unfavorable and whether it is temporary or permanent

Which of the following are alternate work scheduling techniques? a. Compressed workweek, open systems, and job sharing b. Flextime, telecommuting, and compressed workweek c. Telecommuting, open systems, and flextime d. Flextime, outsourcing, compressed workweek

b. Flextime, telecommuting, and compressed workweek Alternate work schedules are alternatives to the regular 40-hour workweek; the following are examples: compressed workweek, flextime, and job sharing

In project management, what is a work breakdown structure? a. Manages the risks of the project b. Hierarchical list of the project tasks c. Document that defines team roles and responsibilities d. List of project scope changes

b. Hierarchical list of the project tasks A project plan starts with a work breakdown structure (WBS), or task list. The WBS is a hierarchical list of steps needed to complete the project. This structure provides levels that are similar to the concept of a book outline. Each level drills down to more detail. The lowest level is the task level, which is the level to which resources are assigned and work effort estimates are made

Every year, a director of health information services sponsors a series of presentations about the confidentiality of patient information. All facility employees are required to attend a session. This method of educational delivery is called: a. Career development b. In-service education c. On-the-job training d. Orientation

b. In-service education In-service education is a continuous process that builds on the basic skills learned through new employee orientation and on-the-job training. In-service education is concerned with teaching employees specific skills and behaviors required to maintain job performance or to retrain workers whose jobs have changed

A physician who provides care in a healthcare facility, is not employed by the healthcare entity and therefore not under the direct control or supervision of another, and is personally responsible for his or her negligent acts and carries his or her own professional liability insurance is considered a(n) ________ to the healthcare entity. a. Agent b. Independent contractor c. Supervisor d. Vendor

b. Independent contractor Each provider who practices care under the auspices of a healthcare organization must do so in accordance with delineated clinical privileges. One of the requirements for these privileges is for the individual to carry his or her own professional liability insurance and therefore that provider is considered an independent contractor within the healthcare organization

Capital budgeting differs from operational budgeting in what manner? a. It is generally limited to one fiscal year. b. It involves high-dollar purchases and multiple-year projects. c. It is usually started after completing the operating budget. d. It is for purchases other than equipment.

b. It involves high-dollar purchases and multiple-year projects. The capital budget looks at long-term investments. Such investments are usually related to improvements in the facility infrastructure, expansion of services, or replacement of existing assets. Capital investments focus on either the appropriateness of an investment (given the facility's investment guidelines) or choosing among different opportunities to invest. The capital budget is the facility's plan for allocating resources over and above the operating budget

Which of the following is a true statement about business process reengineering? a. It is intended to make small incremental changes to improve a process. b. It seeks to reevaluate and redesign organizational processes to make dramatic performance improvements. c. It implies making few changes to achieve significant improvements in cost, quality, service, and speed. d. Its main focus is to reduce services.

b. It seeks to reevaluate and redesign organizational processes to make dramatic performance improvements. In reengineering, the entire manner and purpose of a work process is questioned. The goal is to achieve the desired process outcome in the most effective and efficient manner possible. The results expected from reengineering efforts include increased productivity, decreased costs, improved quality, maximized revenue, and more satisfied customers. However, it should be clearly understood that the main focus is on reducing costs

A large hospital is planning for an EHR but wants to ensure it has adequate source systems in place to support it. Each of the ancillary departments has a separate information system, and each has claimed that the product is the best on the market and that the vendor has promised the system will interface with any EHR on the market. Identify the project management mistake in this situation. a. Lack of priority b. Lack of sponsorship c. Lack of project manager software d. Lack of project management

b. Lack of sponsorship An EHR steering committee or project sponsorship may go by different names. Virtually every organization that undertakes an EHR project forms a steering committee of some type to initiate the project and gain representation from all stakeholders in product selection and implementation

The form of coaching in which an individual in the beginning stages of a career is matched with a senior person is known as: a. Cross-training b. Mentoring c. Orientation d. Motivation

b. Mentoring Mentoring is a form of coaching. A mentor is a senior employee who works with employees early in their careers, giving them advice on developing skills and career options

Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding effective communication? a. Use passive listening b. Monitor others' nonverbal behaviors for cues that they are following or confused c. Make sure all parties are distracted to better communicate your message d. Message content is more important than how it is delivered

b. Monitor others' nonverbal behaviors for cues that they are following or confused To communicate effectively, managers must pay just as much attention to how their message is received and interpreted as they do to its content. In order to enhance the accuracy and acceptance of communication, the communicator needs to monitor others' nonverbal behaviors for cues that they are following or confused. Passive listening and distracted parties would not enhance effective communication

Rob is the project manager for a large PI initiative for a large hospital corporation. As part of his duties, he is consistently reviewing the current status of the project and ensuring that activities are meeting their timeline. If Rob finds that activities are not meeting their timeline, he initiates changes to help the project to get back on track. What phase of project management is Rob performing? a. Closure b. Monitoring and controlling c. Execution d. Initiation

b. Monitoring and controlling Monitoring and controlling are distinct processes, but in project management they work together as a single activity. The monitoring activity is performed to determine the current status of the project, enabling the project to be controlled. The control activity is performed to assess project status in reference to planned activities and their timeline. If the project is off target, a project manager would take action to bring it back on track

What actions might be taken to reduce the risks of groupthink? a. High cohesion without interaction with outside groups b. Monitoring the degree of consensus and disagreement c. The leader states his or her opinion early to influence the rest of the group d. Limit organizational controls

b. Monitoring the degree of consensus and disagreement Internal procedures to reduce risk of groupthink include brainstorming, revisiting important decisions, monitoring the degree of consensus and disagreement, rotating the devil's advocate role, and actively seeking contradictory information. External procedures include discussing decisions with outside experts and nonteam members and inviting external observers to provide feedback on meetings, decisions, and team processes. Such procedures increase awareness of group processes and enhance skills at arriving at better decisions

Which tool is used to determine the most critical areas for training and education for a group of employees? a. Performance evaluation b. Needs analysis c. Orientation assessment d. Job specification

b. Needs analysis The needs analysis is critical to the design of the training plan. This approach typically focuses on three levels: the organization, the specific job tasks, and the individual employee

A strategy map can be a useful tool because it: a. Provides a record of progress toward goals b. Provides a visual framework for integrating strategies c. Enables others to better understand the vision underlying change d. Enables assignment of essential resources to executing the plan

b. Provides a visual framework for integrating strategies A strategy map is a tool that provides a visual representation of an organization's critical objectives and the relationships among them that drive organizational performance. Depicting change as a road map is a useful way to help others understand the goals and the course of change

The performance standard "Complete five birth certificates per hour" is an example of a: a. Quality standard b. Quantity standard c. Joint Commission standard d. Compliance standard

b. Quantity standard Quantity standards (also called productivity standards) and quality standards (also known as service standards) are generally used by managers to monitor individual employee performance and the performance of a functional unit or the department as a whole. To properly communicate performance standards, managers need to make the distinction between quantitative and qualitative standards and identify examples of each for the HIS functions. In the scenario, completing five birth certificates per hour is identifying the quantity of work rather than how well the work is being performed so it is a quantity standard

The performance standard "File 50 to 60 records per hour" is an example of a: a. Quality standard b. Quantity standard c. Joint Commission standard d. Compliance standard

b. Quantity standard Quantity standards (also called productivity standards) and quality standards (also known as service standards) are generally used by managers to monitor individual employee performance and the performance of a functional unit or the department as a whole. To properly communicate performance standards, managers need to make the distinction between quantitative and qualitative standards and identify examples of each for the HIS functions. In the scenario, filing 50-60 records per hour is identifying the quantity of work rather than how well the work is being performed so it is a quantity standard

The performance standard "Transcribe 1,500 lines per day" is an example of a: a. Quality standard b. Quantity standard c. Joint Commission standard d. Compliance standard

b. Quantity standard Quantity standards (also called productivity standards) and quality standards (also known as service standards) are generally used by managers to monitor individual employee performance and the performance of a functional unit or the department as a whole. To properly communicate performance standards, managers need to make the distinction between quantitative and qualitative standards and identify examples of each for the HIS functions. In the scenario, transcribing 1,500 lines per day is identifying the quantity of work rather than how well the work is being performed so it is a quantity standard

Which of the following are attributes of both projects and daily operations? a. Defined start dates b. Roles and responsibilities c. Set budgets or costs d. Defined finish dates

b. Roles and responsibilities A project differs from the day-to-day operations of an organization. Operations are concerned with the everyday jobs needed to run the business. The personnel involved in the operational aspects of the business perform the same functions on a routine basis. This work does not end. In contrast, a project has a precise, expected result produced by defined resources within a specific time frame

A director of health information services in a hospital wants to implement a computer-based patient record system over the next two years. She gets support from the CIO, who champions the project with the administrative team. The CIO has become the project's: a. Stakeholder b. Sponsor c. Manager d. Budget director

b. Sponsor Every project has an identified sponsor. The sponsor is the facility employee with the most vested interest in the project's success. It is a good practice to select someone who has responsibility for the organization's departments, divisions, and personnel that will be affected by the project

In the following figure, identify the component of the project plan labeled as B.EA1/121/131/141/151/161/191/201.1.Test ADT-Lab interfaceC2.1.1 Write test scenarioDr. SmithD3.B1.2 Load test dataJohn4.1.3 Execute lab orderMary a. Row numbers b. Task completed c. Task progress d. Dependency

b. Task completed A Gantt chart is used to illustrate project tasks, phases, and milestones and their start, end, and completion dates. It helps to illustrate where more than one task must be performed simultaneously. The column labeled as B shows a check mark indicating the task "Load test data" is completed

Strategic thinkers exhibit which of the following skills? a. Discomfort with uncertainty and risk b. The ability to gain a powerful core of healthcare entity supporters and customers c. Flexibility but lacking creativity d. An ability to implement the vision and plan and be uncomfortable with change

b. The ability to gain a powerful core of healthcare entity supporters and customers Strategic thinking is a way of introducing innovation into decision making and engaging others in the process of change. The skills that distinguish a strategic thinker include the ability to plan and strategize, flexibility and creativity, comfort with uncertainty and risk, a sense of urgency and vision of how to move change forward positively, being able to gain a powerful core of organizational supporters and customers, and the capability to communicate the vision and plans

The HIM department records copy fees as revenue. For the year the budgeted fees were $25,000 and the actual fees received are $23,000. The director may be asked to explain a(n): a. Favorable variance of $2,000 b. Unfavorable variance of $2,000 c. Favorable variance of $23,000 d. Unfavorable variance of $23,000

b. Unfavorable variance of $2,000 The difference between the budgeted fees and actual fees is an unfavorable variance of $2,000. Unfavorable variances occur when the actual results are worse than what was budgeted

What is the best description of the consulting services variance?At the end of March, the HIM department has a YTD payroll budget of $100,000. The actual YTD amount paid is $95,000 because a coder resigned in February. For the past two months, the position has been filled through outsourcing. Therefore, the actual YTD amount for consulting services is $5,000, although no money was budgeted for consulting services. The reporting threshold for variances is 4 percent. The fiscal year-end is December. a. Favorable, permanent b. Unfavorable, permanent c. Favorable, temporary d. Unfavorable, temporary

b. Unfavorable, permanent It is unfavorable and permanent because money that was not in the budget was spent on consulting services

Which of the following is a statement made by one party to induce another party to enter into a contract? a. Ultra vires b. Warranty c. Agreement d. Indemnification

b. Warranty All contracts include representations or warranties of some sort, which are statements of facts existing at the time the contract is made. These statements are made by one party to induce the other party to enter the contract. Typically, these statements relate to the quality of goods or services purchased or leased

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, employees receive protection with respect to their job duties if they are able to perform the necessary functions of a job: a. As the job exists b. With reasonable accommodations c. With changes to the work arrangements d. While sharing the job with another employee

b. With reasonable accommodations The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 protects individuals with disabilities. Employees must be able to perform the necessary functions of a job with "reasonable accommodations," which include modifications to the workplace or conditions of employment so that a disabled worker can perform the job

The Health Information Services department at Medical Center Hospital has identified problems with its work processes. Too much time is spent on unimportant tasks, there is duplication of effort, and task assignment is uneven in quality and volume among employees. The manager has each employee complete a form identifying the amount of time he or she spends each day on various tasks. What is this tool called? a. Serial work distribution tool b. Work distribution chart c. Check sheet d. Flow process chart

b. Work distribution chart Basic work distribution data can be collected in a work distribution chart, which is initially filled out by each employee and includes all responsible task content. Task content should come directly from the employee's current job description. In addition to task content, each employee tracks each task's start time, end time, and volume or productivity within a typical workweek. The results of a work distribution analysis can lead a department to redefine the job descriptions of some employees, redesign the office layout, or establish new or revised procedures for some department functions in order to gain improvements in staff productivity or service quality

Violation of the AHIMA Code of Ethics triggers: a. Automatic loss of AHIMA credentials b. Disciplinary actions and a fine c. A review by peers with potential disciplinary actions d. Nothing because a violation of ethics is not a big deal

c. A review by peers with potential disciplinary actions A formal code of ethics ensures that professionals understand and agree to uphold an ethical standard that puts the interests of the profession before their personal interests. Violation of the AHIMA Code of Ethics triggers a peer review process

Which of the following statements describes a critical skill for a strategic manager? a. Ability to change direction quickly b. Ability to deliver results on budget c. Ability to envision relationships between trends and opportunities d. Ability to design jobs and match peoples' skills to them

c. Ability to envision relationships between trends and opportunities Strategic managers develop skills reflecting the implications and opportunities afforded by trends. Whether reading a journal or discussing new ideas with others, strategic managers are always testing new ideas, identifying those that have merit, and discarding those that do not. They are creating links between the trends and the value-adding actions they can take

A technique for measuring healthcare entity performance across the four perspectives of customer, financial, internal processes, and learning and growth is called: a. Strategy map b. Process innovations c. Balanced scorecard methodology d. SWOT analysis

c. Balanced scorecard methodology Balanced scorecard methodology is a technique for measuring organization performance across the four perspectives of customer, financial, internal processes, and learning and growth

The following information was abstracted from Community Hospital's balance sheet.Total assets$25,000,000Current assets$4,000,000Total liabilities$10,000,000Current liabilities$5,000,000A vendor selling a large dollar amount of goods to this hospital on credit would: a. Not be concerned because total assets exceed total liabilities b. Not be concerned because the debt ratio is less than one half c. Be somewhat concerned because the current ratio is less than one d. Not analyze the balance sheet because the vendor would care more about the income statement

c. Be somewhat concerned because the current ratio is less than one The current ratio compares total current assets with total current liabilities: 4, 000, 000=4=0.85, 000, 0005 Total current assetsTotal current liabilities From this information, one can take the current assets (cash + accounts receivable + inventory) divided by current liabilities (accounts payable) to arrive at current ratio. The current ratio indicates that for every dollar of current liability, $0.80 of current assets could be used to discharge the liability, which is not enough because it is not at least $1

Which one of the variances will the HIM director be required to explain?At the end of March, the HIM department has a YTD payroll budget of $100,000. The actual YTD amount paid is $95,000 because a coder resigned in February. For the past two months, the position has been filled through outsourcing. Therefore, the actual YTD amount for consulting services is $5,000, although no money was budgeted for consulting services. The reporting threshold for variances is 4 percent. The fiscal year-end is December. a. Only the consulting services variance b. Only the payroll variance c. Both the payroll and consulting services variances d. Neither because the two variances cancel each other out

c. Both the payroll and consulting services variances When the operating budget has been developed and approved, it is the responsibility of the department manager to ensure the budget goals are met and to explain all variances

Employees, physicians, and other stakeholders are invited to town hall meetings, receive newsletters and e-mail, and can check social media for the status of the EHR implementation project. This is an example of good: a. Management b. Project planning c. Communication d. Marketing

c. Communication Effective communication must occur at and between all levels of the organization from top leadership all the way to the front lines as well as with the persons working behind the scenes. Communication can take many forms these days including meetings, newsletters, and even social media

Community Hospital is reviewing its job descriptions and notices that some job descriptions for clinical positions include a reference to the potential risks of exposure to blood-borne pathogens while others do not. The human resource manager insists that all job descriptions should include this language. Why is this important to include? a. It is not important, and the human resource manager is overstepping his or her role. b. Community Hospital needs to update job descriptions to meet HIPAA requirements. c. Community Hospital needs to define the level of risk for infection from blood-borne pathogens for its employees. d. Facilities are required to report incidences of HIV.

c. Community Hospital needs to define the level of risk for infection from blood-borne pathogens for its employees. Blood-borne pathogens, such as HIV and hepatitis B and C, are transported through contact with infected body fluids such as blood, semen, and vomitus. Each facility should define the employee level of risk for infection associated with their job classification and define the proper precautions needed to prevent exposure. Most healthcare facilities require employee job descriptions to carry a definition of blood-borne pathogen risk associated with the job task

Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding the relationship between levels of management and managerial skills? a. Interpersonal skills increase as one goes from lower to upper management b. Technological skills are greatest at the top level of management c. Conceptual skills are greatest at the top level of management d. Interpersonal, technical, and conceptual skills are required in equal amounts at all levels of the healthcare entity

c. Conceptual skills are greatest at the top level of management Conceptual skills, especially at the higher levels of the organization, include such competencies as visioning the organization, planning, decision making, problem solving, creativity, and conceptualizing the connections among parts of a complex organizational system or "systems thinking"

Determining costs associated with EHR hardware and software acquisition, implementation, and ongoing maintenance represents which type of analysis? a. Benefits realization study b. Goal-setting exercise c. Cost-benefit feasibility study d. Productivity improvement study

c. Cost-benefit feasibility study Cost-benefit feasibility is used to determine if an EHR initiative is appropriate for the organization at this time; it measures the costs associated with acquisition of hardware and software, installation, implementation, and ongoing maintenance

Joe is hired as a floater in a health information department to fill in wherever help is needed. He learns the jobs of several employees. This is an example of: a. Outsourcing b. Physical training c. Cross-training d. Performance evaluation

c. Cross-training In cross-training, the employee learns to perform the jobs of many team members. This method is most useful when work teams are involved

Distributing work duties to others along with the right to make decisions and take action is called: a. Accountability b. Coaching c. Delegation d. Communication

c. Delegation Delegation is the process of distributing work duties and decision making to others. To be effective, delegation should be commensurate with authority and responsibility. A manager must assign responsibility, which is an expectation that another person will perform tasks. At the same time, authority, or the right to act in ways necessary to carry out assigned tasks, must be granted

Which of the following would be considered a discriminatory practice in the employment setting? a. Denial of employment based on criminal record. b. Screening out an applicant who does not meet the minimum qualifications for the position. c. Denial of employment based on religion. d. Hiring a person based on vision of the healthcare entity.

c. Denial of employment based on religion. There are several laws that affect discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, citizenship status, and veterans status. Most organizations would like to hire someone whose vision for the organization is in line with their own vision

Which of the following best categorizes the group of adopters who comprise the backbone of the organization, are conventional and deliberate in their decisions, and form a bridge with other adopter categories? a. Innovators b. Early adopters c. Early majority d. Late majority

c. Early majority The early majority comprises about 34 percent of the organization. Although usually not leaders, the individuals in this group represent the backbone of the organization, are deliberate in thinking and acceptance of an idea, and serve as a natural bridge between early and late adopters

In order to expedite basic performance improvement team functioning, the team should: a. Use unstructured brainstorming b. Perform force field analysis c. Establish ground rules d. Use structured brainstorming

c. Establish ground rules Ground rules must be agreed upon by the team at the very beginning of the process improvement effort. All members of the team should have input into the ground rules. They should agree to abide by them for the sake of the team's success

One of the most common issues that healthcare organizations fail to do well in the strategic process is: a. Develop a vision b. Develop strategies c. Execute the implementation plan d. Communicate the plan

c. Execute the implementation plan The strategic goals and objectives need to be clearly outlined, with assignments for who will be accountable, timelines, allocation of resources, and measurements that will be used to ensure success of implementation. When a detailed implementation includes the elements laid out clearly—with timeframes and regular updates provided within the organization—the likelihood of strategic success increases significantly

Annual renewal of fire safety and disaster preparedness are topics that may be addressed best through training known as: a. Job rotation b. Customer service c. In-service education d. Pay for performance

c. In-service education In-service education is a continuous process that builds on the basic skills learned through new employee orientation and on-the-job training. It is concerned with teaching employees specific skills and behaviors required to maintain job performance

The financial statement that presents a record of operations by showing revenue and expenses over a period of time is called the: a. Balance sheet b. Statement of cash flows c. Income statement d. Statement of retained earnings

c. Income statement An income statement summarizes the organization's revenue and expense transactions during the fiscal year. The income statement can be prepared at any point in time and reflects results up to that point

An analysis of a company's liquidity attempts to measure the company's ability to: a. Meet long-term debt payments b. Pay dividends each year c. Meet current debt payments d. Make a profit

c. Meet current debt payments Liquidity refers to the ease with which assets can be turned into cash. This is important because payroll, loan payments, and other financial obligations are typically paid in cash

Sandy is coder but would like to be a privacy officer one day. Joan, the privacy officer at her hospital, has agreed to help Sandy on her career path. Joan has suggested that Sandy begin to look at master's degree programs and has taken her to a local association meeting where she can begin to network with other privacy officers. This is an example of: a. Continuing education b. Job rotation c. Mentoring d. Succession planning

c. Mentoring A mentor provides advice on developing skills and career options. In this situation Joan is mentoring Sandy towards her goal of becoming a privacy officer

A set of activities designed to familiarize new employees with their jobs, the healthcare entity, and work culture is called: a. Training b. Job analysis c. Orientation d. Job rotation

c. Orientation After employees have been recruited and selected, the first step is to introduce them to the organization and their immediate work setting and functions. New employee orientation includes a group of activities that introduce the employee to the organization's mission, policies, rules, and culture; the department or workgroup; and the specific job he or she will be performing

The time required to recoup the cost of an investment is called the: a. Accounting rate of return b. Budget cycle c. Payback period d. Depreciation

c. Payback period The payback period is the time required to recoup the cost of an investment. Mortgage refinancing analysis frequently uses the concept of payback period. Mortgage refinancing is considered when interest rates have dropped. Refinancing may require up-front interest payments and called points as well as a variety of administrative costs. In this example, the payback period is the time it takes for the savings in interest to equal the cost of the refinancing

The percent of antibiotics administered immediately prior to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgeries or the percent of deliveries accomplished by cesarean section are examples of what type of performance measure? a. Outcome measure b. Data measure c. Process measure d. System measure

c. Process measure A process measure has a scientific basis for it. In this example, the percentage of antibiotics administered before surgery has been proven through evidence-based medicine, so it is scientifically based

An HIM professional who accurately reports HIV status and the true results of an audit that indicates health problems meets the ethical standards for: a. E-health b. Integrated delivery systems c. Public health d. Managed care

c. Public health Releasing accurate information for public health purposes for patients with communicable diseases, such as AIDS or a venereal disease, and assisting with the complexities of information management in the context of bioterrorism and the threat or reality of global diseases, such as smallpox or Avian flu, are ethical responsibilities of the HIM professional

The statement "Coding of inpatient records must be completed at a 98 percent accuracy rate" is an example of a: a. Goal b. Vision statement c. Qualitative standard d. Quantitative standard

c. Qualitative standard Qualitative standards specify the level of service quality expected from a function, such as accuracy rate. For example, assignment of diagnostic and procedure codes for inpatient records is at least 98 percent accurate

Coders at Medical Center Hospital are expected to do a high volume of coding. Their department also includes a clerical support person who handles phone calls, pulls and files records to be coded, and maintains productivity logs. An abstract clerk enters coded data into the health information system. This is an example of ________ work division. a. Parallel b. Unit c. Serial d. Serial unit

c. Serial Serial work division is the consecutive handling of tasks or products by individuals who perform a specific function in sequence. Often referred to as a production line work division, serial work division tends to create task specialists

The slightly higher wage paid to an employee who works a less desirable shift is called a: a. Shift rotation b. Performance incentive c. Shift differential d. Work distribution ladder

c. Shift differential Many employers pay a slightly higher hourly wage to employees who work less desirable shifts (evening, night, weekend). This is referred to as shift differential

What kind of planning addresses long-term needs and sets comprehensive plans of action? a. Tactical b. Operational c. Strategic d. Administrative

c. Strategic Strategic management is a process a leader uses for assessing a changing environment to create a vision of the future, determining how the organization fits into the anticipated environment based on its mission, vision, and knowledge of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and then setting in motion a plan of action to position the organization accordingly

Identifying future health information needs for a healthcare entity and projecting specific initiatives required to meet those needs is part of: a. Data modeling b. Policy development c. Strategic planning d. Workflow modeling

c. Strategic planning Strategic planning is a formalized roadmap that describes how the company executes the chosen strategy. A strategic plan spells out where an organization is going over the next three to five years and how it is going to get there. HIM professionals can use strategy to shape and influence change in their department and organization

In the following figure, identify the component of the project plan labeled as D.EA1/121/131/141/151/161/191/201.1.Test ADT-Lab interfaceC2.1.1 Write test scenarioDr. SmithD3.B1.2 Load test dataJohn4.1.3 Execute lab orderMary a. Row numbers b. Task completed c. Task progress d. Dependency

c. Task progress A Gantt chart is used to illustrate project tasks, phases, and milestones and their start, end, and completion dates. It helps to show where more than one task must be performed simultaneously. The column labeled D is showing the progress of the task "1.1 Write test scenario

Which of the following is the best reason for team building? a. To quickly move from acquaintanceship to a strong team b. To identify a leader c. To help employees develop a common purpose d. To ensure that the leader's situation is favorable

c. To help employees develop a common purpose One thing that binds team members together is having a common purpose. The purpose for an ongoing work team, for example, might be to ensure cross-training, improve procedures, and monitor quality and productivity. A common purpose is necessary in order to achieve team building

A distance learning method in which groups of employees in multiple classroom locations may listen to and see the material presented at the same time via satellite or telephone is called: a. Audio conferencing b. Computer-based training c. Videoconferencing d. Online learning

c. Videoconferencing Videoconferencing permits additional flexibility in delivering courses that may be enhanced through visual as well as audio presentation, such as those that include demonstrations or simulation exercises. Videoconferencing is useful for training employees in organizations with multiple sites, such as integrated delivery networks with inpatient and outpatient facilities. The expense is justified for large organizations that do extensive training

Which work measurement tool uses random sample observations to obtain information about the performance of an entire department? a. Performance measurement b. Work distribution c. Work sampling d. Performance controls

c. Work sampling Work sampling is a technique of work measurement that involves using statistical probability (determined through random sample observations) to characterize the performance of the department and its work (functional) units

The focus of conflict management is: a. Getting personal counseling for the parties involved b. Separating the parties involved so that they do not have to work together c. Working with the parties involved to find a mutually acceptable solution d. Bringing disciplinary action against one party or the other

c. Working with the parties involved to find a mutually acceptable solution Conflict management focuses on working with the individuals involved to find a mutually acceptable solution. There are three ways to address conflict: compromise, control, and constructive confrontation

Reviewing the following PERT chart, what is the critical path for this project? a. a → c → d → f → i b. a → b → f → i c. a → d → g → h → i d. a → c → e → f → i

c. a → d → g → h → i The path with the greatest total duration time is called the critical path and represents the longest amount of time required to compete the total project. The critical path in this project is the sequence a → d → g → h → i, which will require 23 days

Based on the financial data listed, what was Triad's total net assets before posting net income for the year?Triad Healthcare Financial Data 12/31/201XCash$500,000A/R$250,000Building$1,000,000Land$700,000A/P$350,000Mortgage$600,000Revenue$2,500,000Expenses$2,250,000 a. $250,000 b. $400,000 c. $1,250,000 d. $1,500,000

d. $1,500,000 In a not-for-profit environment, the difference between assets and liabilities is referred to as net assets. These relationships can be expressed in the following equation: Assets − Liabilities = Net assets (equity) In this example, add the assets (cash $500,000 + A/R $250,000 + building $1,000,000 + land $700,000 = $2,450,000) and then subtract the liabilities (A/P $350,000 + mortgage $600,000 = $950,000) or $2,450,000 − $950,000 = $1,500,000

According to the records kept on filing unit performance over the past year, the filing unit has filed an average of 1,000 records per day. You have three full-time equivalent (FTE) record filers in the department who are productive 88 percent of each workday (that is, 12 percent unproductive or 12 percent PFD). Based on this information, what is the average number of records filed per productive hour in the file unit as a whole? a. 42 records per hour b. 48 records per hour c. 110 records per hour d. 143 records per hour

d. 143 records per hour First calculate the number of productive hours in a day: 88% × 8 hours = 7.04 hours/day. Then divide the 1,000 records/7 hours = 142.9 or 143 charts/hour for the three filers

Which of the following would be an indicator of process problems in a health information department? a. 5% decline in the number of patients who indicate satisfaction with hospital care b. 10% increase in the average length of stay c. 15% reduction in bed turnover rate d. 18% error rate on abstracting data

d. 18% error rate on abstracting data Performance measurement is the process of comparing the outcomes of an organization, work unit, or employee to pre-established performance standards. The results of performance measurement are usually expressed as percentages, rates, ratios, averages, or other quantitative assessment. It is used to assess quality and productivity in clinical and administrative services. An 18 percent error rate on abstracting data is an indicator of a process problem in the health information management (HIM) department because it is an HIM function. The other items are not under the control of the HIM department and would not indicate a process problem in HIM

At a cost of $12,000, Community Hospital is refinancing the mortgage on the building that houses its clinic. The hospital will save $500 a month in interest. What is the payback period on the refinancing? a. 15 months b. 18 months c. 1 year d. 2 years

d. 2 years The payback period is the time required to recoup the cost of an investment. Mortgage refinancing analysis frequently uses the concept of payback period. Mortgage refinancing is considered when interest rates have dropped. Refinancing may require up-front interest payments, called points, as well as a variety of administrative costs. In this example, the payback period is the time it takes for the savings in interest to equal the cost of the refinancing. For this problem, it is asking how long it will take to pay back the money spent to refinance. The hospital is spending $12,000 to refinance and will save $500 a month once they do. The payback period, or time to recoup their costs, is $12,000/$500 = 24 months or two years

According to the records kept on filing unit performance over the past year, the filing unit has filed an average of 1,000 records per day. There are three full-time equivalent (FTE) record filers in the department who are productive 88 percent of each workday (that is, 12 percent unproductive or 12 percent PFD). Based on this information, the average number of records filed per productive hour per FTE is: a. 14 records per hour b. 16 records per hour c. 37 records per hour d. 48 records per hour

d. 48 records per hour First calculate the number of productive hours in a day: 88% × 8 hours = 7.04 hours/day. Then determine the number of records filed per record filer: 1,000/3 = 333.3. Then divide 333 records/7 hours = 47.5 or 48 charts/hour per productive FTE

Which of the following is a characteristic of strategic management? a. Shifting the balance of power to the employees b. Creating a plan to avoid change within the healthcare entity c. A description of specific implementation plans d. A plan to improve the healthcare entity's fit with the external world

d. A plan to improve the healthcare entity's fit with the external world Strategic management is a process a leader uses for assessing a changing environment to create a vision of the future, determining how the organization fits into the anticipated environment based on its mission, vision, and knowledge of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and then setting in motion a plan of action to position the organization accordingly

Community Hospital is evaluating the following three investments. Which one has the highest profitability index?RadiologyInvestmentCardiologyInvestmentPharmacyInvestmentPresent value ofcash inflows$2,000,000$1,200,000$40,000Present value ofcash outflows$500,000$300,000$10,000 a. Radiology investment b. Cardiology investment c. Pharmacy investment d. All three are equally profitable

d. All three are equally profitable In this case, a profitability index helps the organization prioritize investment opportunities. For each investment, divide the present value of the cash inflows by the present value of the cash outflows. The profitability index for each investment is calculated in the figure below. Each investment is equally profitable, as all three have the same profitability index of 4

Which of the following is a conflict management method in which both parties meet with an objective third party to explore their perceptions and feelings? a. Compromise b. Collaborative confrontation c. Control d. Constructive confrontation

d. Constructive confrontation Conflict management focuses on working with the individuals involved to find a mutually acceptable solution. There are three ways to address conflict: compromise, control, and constructive confrontation. Constructive confrontation is a method in which both parties meet with an objective third party to explore their perceptions and feelings. The desired outcome is to produce a mutual understanding of the issues and to create a win-win situation

Which of the following is a common outcome of conflict in the workplace? a. Increased morale b. Increased retention c. Feeling of safety d. Decreased productivity

d. Decreased productivity Sometimes problems arise because of conflicts among employees. It is common for people to disagree, and sometimes a difference of opinion can increase creativity. However, too much conflict can also waste time, reduce productivity, and decrease morale. When taken to the extreme, it can threaten the safety of employees and cause damage to property

Work products that must be produced as a result of a project are referred to as: a. Materials b. Resources c. Sponsors d. Deliverables

d. Deliverables Deliverables are a tangible output produced by the completion of project tasks

The correct sequence of steps when evaluating an ethical problem is: a. Who are the stakeholders, what are the options, what is the decision, what justifies the choice,, determine the facts, and identify prevention options b. What are the options, what is the decision, who are the stakeholders, what justifies the choice, identify prevention options, and determine the facts c. Determine the facts, what are the options, what is the decision, what justifies the choice, who are the stakeholders, and identify prevention options d. Determine the facts, who are the stakeholders, what are the options, what is the decision, what justifies the choice, and identify prevention options

d. Determine the facts, who are the stakeholders, what are the options, what is the decision, what justifies the choice, and identify prevention options HIM professionals must factor several criteria into their decision making. Ethicists provide assistance in this process. When faced with an ethical issue, the HIM professional should evaluate the ethical problem following these steps: what are the facts; who are the stakeholders; what are the options; what is the decision; what justifies the choice, and what is the prevention. When a decision must be made about an issue and not identified following the steps, the decision most likely will be based on an individual's narrow moral perspective of right or wrong

Which discipline defines the natural laws of work and focuses on employee comfort and safety? a. Aesthetics b. Cybernetics c. Affinity grouping d. Ergonomics

d. Ergonomics The discipline of ergonomics has helped redefine the employee workspace with consideration for comfort and safety

Heather and Jim are both coders at Medical Center Hospital. The hospital allows them to set their own hours as long as one of them is in the office between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. so they are accessible to physicians. This kind of work arrangement is called: a. Telecommuting b. Compressed workweek c. Outsourcing d. Flextime

d. Flextime Flextime generally refers to the employee's ability to work by varying his or her starting and stopping hours around a core of midshift hours, such as 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Depending on their position and the institution, employees may have a certain degree of freedom in determining their hours

Which financial statement reflects the extent to which a healthcare entity's revenues exceed its expenses? a. Balance sheet b. Statement of cash flows c. Statement of retained earnings d. Income statement

d. Income statement An income statement summarizes the organization's revenue and expense transactions during the fiscal year. The income statement can be prepared at any point in time and reflects results up to that point. The income statement contains only income and expense accounts and reflects only the activity for the current fiscal year

When a computer-assisted coding product was installed at Community Memorial Hospital, coders initially found the new system overwhelming and were frustrated because their productivity decreased significantly. This experience represents the first stages of a(n): a. Incentive system b. Flex system c. In-service program d. Learning curve

d. Learning curve Adults like feedback on their performance. It is important to understand the concept of the learning curve. When a new task is learned, productivity may decrease while a great deal of material is actually being learned. Later, there is little new learning, but productivity may increase greatly. Either situation can be frustrating, so guidance and feedback are important to help employees understand what they have accomplished

Monitoring risks during the project management process is important because: a. The work breakdown structure is hierarchical, not necessarily chronological. b. After the initial planning is complete, no changes to the schedule are needed. c. The project team members need a list of tasks to perform. d. Minor changes to the scope of the project can turn into more significant changes to the original work or cost estimates.

d. Minor changes to the scope of the project can turn into more significant changes to the original work or cost estimates. If one thing can be accurately predicted about a project, it is that it will not progress as scheduled. To account for the inevitable changes, the project manager should be aware of the potential risks of the project and may need to adjust the project schedule, work effort, or cost projections to manage any anticipated risk

Employees covered by the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) are called ________ employees. a. Waged b. Salaried c. Exempt d. Nonexempt

d. Nonexempt Provisions of the FLSA, for example, cover minimum wage, overtime pay, child labor restrictions, and equal pay for equal work regardless of sex. Covered groups are referred to as nonexempt employees

What is the first step in a successful departmental training and development plan? a. Designing the curriculum b. Selecting the delivery methods c. Determining the latest hot topic d. Performing a needs analysis

d. Performing a needs analysis To develop an orientation program, it is helpful to begin with a task analysis to determine the specific skills required for the job. The job description and the job specification are excellent sources for this part of the process. A task analysis is part of the needs assessment

The advantage of using internal change agents over external change agents is that the former can usually: a. Be accepted by employees as being more objective b. More easily challenge healthcare entity norms and culture c. Benchmark the healthcare entity against others d. Provide a more detailed understanding of healthcare entity's history and issues

d. Provide a more detailed understanding of healthcare entity's history and issues Internal change agents have the clear advantage of being familiar with the organization, its history, subtle dynamics, secrets, and resources. Such people are often well respected, securely positioned, and have the strong interpersonal relationships to foster change. There is an advantage to recognizing the internal expertise of employees, maintaining confidentiality of the process, and using people who are invested in the success of the outcome

Ethical obligation to the ________ include advocating change when patterns or system problems are not in the best interest of the patients, reporting violation of practice standards to the proper authorities. a. Employer b. Self, peers, and professional associations c. AHIMA organization d. Public

d. Public Ethical obligations to the public include advocating change when patterns or system problems are not in the best interest of the patients, such as reporting violations of practice standards to the proper authorities

The performance standard to "assign the correct health record number to a returning patient with 99 percent accuracy" is an example of a: a. Compliance standard b. Quantity standard c. Joint Commission standard d. Quality standard

d. Quality standard Quantity standards (also called productivity standards) and quality standards (also known as service standards) are generally used by managers to monitor individual employee performance and the performance of a functional unit or the department as a whole. To properly communicate performance standards, managers need to make the distinction between quantitative and qualitative standards and identify examples of each for the HIS functions

Joe Smith, RHIA, works for an outsourcing company as interim health information department director in a large hospital. By the terms of the contract, the hospital pays the company for Joe's services based on a 40-hour workweek with overtime for any hours exceeding 40. Joe typically works 9 hours per day, Monday through Thursday, and 4 hours on Friday. He then flies home for the weekend. After several months, he discovers the hospital is billed for 44 to 48 hours per week almost every week. Joe confronts the company billing department because this practice conflicts with the tenet of the AHIMA Code of Ethics that states that health information management professionals: a. Respect the rights and dignity of all individuals b. Adhere to the vision, mission, and values of the association c. Promote and protect the confidentiality and security of health records and health information d. Refuse to participate in or conceal unethical practices or procedures

d. Refuse to participate in or conceal unethical practices or procedures American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) professionals must abide to the AHIMA Code of Ethics principle to refuse to participate in or conceal unethical practices or procedures

As an EHR implementation project proceeds, additional hospital departments add requirements for the system, and the project becomes more complex. This is known as: a. Unaligned parameters b. Alternative goals c. Risk assumption d. Scope creep

d. Scope creep One of the most significant changes during a project is a change to the project scope. Various stakeholders frequently wish to add new or enhanced project requirements after the initial requirements were gathered, and the schedule and budget were established based on these requirements. Over time, these small changes in scope create significant changes and require more resources and time than originally planned. These incremental changes are commonly referred to as scope creep

Which of the following is considered a viable solution to a staff recruitment problem for coding and transcription shortages? a. Delegation b. Job distribution c. Overtime d. Telecommuting

d. Telecommuting Alternative staffing structures offer flexibility in hours, location, and job responsibilities as a method to attract and retain employees and eliminate staffing shortages. Some examples are job sharing, outsourcing, flextime, and telecommuting

When implementing health information management training, determining who needs to be trained, who should do the training, how much training is required, and how the training will be accomplished is the responsibility of: a. The vendor b. Information systems c. Health information management d. The implementation team

d. The implementation team Training is essential to the successful implementation of each new system. The implementation team must define who needs to be trained, who should do the training, how much training is required, and how the training will be accomplished

At Community Health Services, each budget cycle provides the opportunity to continue or discontinue services based on available resources so that every department or activity must be justified and prioritized annually in order to effectively allocate resources. Community Health uses what type of operational budget? a. Activity-based b. Fixed c. Flexible d. Zero-based

d. Zero-based Zero-based budgets apply to organizations for which each budget cycle poses the opportunity to continue or discontinue services based on the availability of resources. Every department or activity must be justified and prioritized annually in order to effectively allocate the organization's resources. Professional associations and charitable foundations, for example, routinely use zero-based budgeting