C813 Healthcare Statistics and Research explores how statistical data and health information research support process improvement in health information management.
WGU's B.S. Health Information Management program guide lists it at three competency units in term eight, with no prerequisites. The guide describes HIM professionals using information systems to gather, analyze and present data in response to administrative and clinical needs.
The calculations are usually simple. The challenge is choosing the right formula, applying exact definitions and explaining what the result means for the department.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Western Governors University (WGU) |
| Course code | C813 |
| Level | Undergraduate, competency-based |
| Program | B.S. Health Information Management |
| Competency units | 3 (term 8); no prerequisites |
| Typical work | Health statistics calculations, data audits, research evaluation |
What C813 Covers
The program guide's competencies include:
- Research ethics: ethical guidelines within HIM research.
- Auditing statistical data: using data measurement and research to support HIM department process improvement.
- Research data for EHR leadership: evaluating data to improve standards for EHR data collection, storage and protection.
- Research data for process improvement: evaluating health information research data for use in improving HIM processes.
Key Concepts Explained
Hospital Statistics
HIM professionals calculate standard measures with precise definitions. Two of the most common are bed occupancy and average length of stay.
Example: A 100-bed hospital records 2,400 inpatient service days in a 30-day month. Inpatient bed occupancy rate = 2,400 / (100 x 30) x 100 = 80%. In the same month, 450 patients were discharged with 2,250 total discharge days (length of stay). Average length of stay = 2,250 / 450 = 5.0 days.
Rates and Ratios
Most hospital statistics are rates: the number of times something happened divided by the number of times it could have happened, multiplied by 100 or another base. Examples include mortality rates, infection rates and consultation rates. Always check whether a definition includes or excludes newborns, transfers or deaths.
Research Basics
HIM research may be descriptive (what is happening), correlational (what is related) or experimental (what causes what). Ethical research protects privacy, uses de-identified data where possible and follows institutional review board (IRB) requirements and HIPAA rules on research use of PHI.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
WGU assesses competency through performance assessments or objective assessments; check your course page for the current format. Typical work in this subject includes:
| Task type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics calculation | Correct formulas | Write the definition first |
| Data audit | Accuracy of reported data | Compare data with the source |
| Research evaluation | Using evidence | Judge method, sample and relevance |
| Improvement proposal | Data to action | Link each finding to a change |
Presenting Data for Decisions
The course description stresses presenting data in response to administrative and clinical needs. Choose the format for the audience: a table for exact values, a line or run chart for change over time, a bar chart for comparisons between units.
Every chart needs a clear title, labeled axes and a sentence stating the takeaway. For process improvement, show the baseline, the change made and the result, so managers can see whether the improvement worked.
Other Common Hospital Measures
Beyond occupancy and length of stay, these measures appear often in HIM work:
| Measure | Basic formula |
|---|---|
| Average daily census | Inpatient service days / days in period |
| Gross death rate | Deaths / discharges (including deaths) x 100 |
| Net death rate | As above, excluding deaths under 48 hours after admission |
| Infection rate | Hospital-acquired infections / discharges x 100 |
Organizations may adjust definitions, for example how newborns are counted, so always follow the definition the task or course materials give.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Loose definitions. Inpatient service days and discharge days are different; using the wrong one changes the answer.
- Forgetting the base. State whether a rate is per 100, per 1,000 or per patient days.
- Ignoring ethics. Research tasks should address privacy and IRB requirements.
- Numbers without action. Process improvement needs a recommendation.
Study Tips for C813
- Make a formula sheet of hospital statistics with exact definitions and one worked example each.
- Practice with a month of mock census data until the calculations are automatic.
- Review basic research designs and when each is appropriate.
- Write a "so what" sentence under every calculation.
How We Help with C813
Send the task instructions, rubric, data and any feedback. A health statistics tutor prepares worked calculations, explains definitions and interpretation, or reviews your analysis. For statistics support more broadly, see our statistics assignment help guide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
WGU's B.S. Health Information Management program guide lists Healthcare Statistics and Research at three competency units, in term eight.
Divide inpatient service days by the product of bed count and days in the period, then multiply by 100.
Total discharge days (length of stay for discharged patients) divided by the number of discharges in the period.
Yes. One competency covers ethical guidelines within HIM research.
The program guide says the course has no prerequisites, though WGU's standard path places Applied Healthcare Statistics earlier.
No. We are an independent tutoring and writing service, not connected with Western Governors University.