D190 introduces healthcare information technology as a discipline in its own right. It is part of WGU's BS Health Information Management (HIM) program.
WGU's program guide describes a focus on evaluating health information systems and collecting data, and on the roles and functions of the health information manager in supporting the business of healthcare. Learning resources include e-text readings, videos, case studies, LinkedIn Learning modules, knowledge checks and unit quizzes.
Students with clinical backgrounds often find the technical vocabulary new, while IT students find the healthcare rules new. The course asks for both together.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Western Governors University (WGU) |
| Course code | D190 (codes can change between catalog versions) |
| Program | BS Health Information Management |
| Competency units | 4 (per the 2025 program guide) |
| Prerequisites | None |
| Typical work | Written analyses of healthcare IT scenarios, such as privacy issues, systems and databases |
What D190 Covers
The program guide lists seven competencies. In plain language, you will:
- Evaluate privacy and security concerns in healthcare technology.
- Examine how information systems turn data into organizational knowledge.
- Examine how health information exchanges (HIEs) are implemented and integrated.
- Examine the roles of different types of healthcare information systems in HIM.
- Examine the structure and function of healthcare databases.
- Examine structure, function and security in an HIM setting.
- Recognize the impact of healthcare IT on healthcare infrastructure.
Key Concepts Explained
Types of Healthcare Information Systems
Clinical systems such as the electronic health record (EHR) support care. Administrative systems handle registration, scheduling and billing. Decision support and reporting systems turn stored data into information for managers and clinicians.
Privacy and Security Under HIPAA
In the United States, the HIPAA Privacy Rule governs use and disclosure of protected health information, and the Security Rule requires administrative, physical and technical safeguards for electronic PHI. Breach analysis asks what happened, which safeguard failed and how to prevent a repeat.
Example: An unencrypted laptop containing patient records is stolen from a clinic employee's car. Safeguards that failed: technical (no encryption) and administrative (no policy against storing PHI on laptops). Response steps: assess risk to patients, follow breach notification requirements, encrypt all portable devices and retrain staff.
Databases and Data Quality
Healthcare databases store data in related tables, linked by keys such as a medical record number. Duplicate records, where one patient has two numbers, are a common quality problem that can split a patient's history. Matching rules and regular clean-up reduce them.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Task type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy or security analysis | HIPAA and safeguards | Identify the issue, the safeguard involved and corrective steps |
| Information system evaluation | Data to knowledge | Explain inputs, processing, outputs and users |
| HIE discussion | Interoperability | Cover benefits, barriers and standards for exchange |
| Database scenario | Structure and quality | Explain tables, keys and how errors are found and fixed |
The Health Information Manager's Role
The course connects every technical topic to the health information manager. HIM professionals look after the quality, privacy, security and availability of health information across its life cycle, from capture to storage, use, release and destruction.
In healthcare IT projects, the HIM professional often bridges clinical staff, IT teams and compliance. Typical responsibilities include:
- Setting and monitoring data quality standards.
- Managing release of information and access controls.
- Supporting system selection and implementation with workflow knowledge.
- Maintaining policies for retention and secure disposal.
Interoperability Standards
Systems can exchange data only if they share standards. HL7 messaging and the newer FHIR standard define how data are structured and sent, while vocabularies such as SNOMED CT, LOINC and ICD-10 give shared meaning to the content.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Confusing privacy with security. Privacy is about who may use data; security is about protecting it.
- Vague safeguards. Name the specific administrative, physical or technical control.
- Jargon without explanation. Define terms such as HIE, interoperability and PHI.
- Missing the HIM role. Link each topic to what the health information manager does.
Where D190 Fits in the HIM Program
In the 2025 program guide's standard path, Introduction to Healthcare IT Systems appears in the same term as Foundations in Healthcare Data Management and Health Information Law and Regulations. Together they introduce the technology, data and legal sides of health information management.
Later HIM courses on data analysis, management and professional practice assume you are comfortable with the systems vocabulary introduced here, so careful notes on system types, databases and privacy will keep paying off.
Study Tips for D190
- Make a glossary of acronyms as you read.
- Read real breach summaries and practice identifying the failed safeguard.
- Sketch a simple database with patients, encounters and providers tables.
- Keep notes; later HIM courses on data management and law build on D190.
How We Help with D190
Send the task, rubric and scenario. A writer with health IT knowledge prepares a custom analysis, explains concepts, or edits your draft for accuracy and structure. Our informatics assignment guide covers related topics.
GradeEssays is independent of Western Governors University. Use our work as a reference and submit your own tasks under WGU's academic integrity rules.
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Frequently Asked Questions
WGU's program guide states there are no prerequisites.
The 2025 BS Health Information Management program guide lists 4 competency units.
A system or organization that lets healthcare providers share patient information electronically and securely.
No. It is an introductory course, though comfort with basic technology helps.
Privacy concerns appropriate use and disclosure of information; security concerns safeguards that protect it.
Yes. We explain how duplicate records arise and how they are detected and resolved.