Southern New Hampshire University

HIM-200: Introduction to Health Information Technology

A study guide to SNHU's HIM-200, which introduces the role of health IT professionals, the electronic health record and the infrastructure behind healthcare data.

Updated October 2026 · 5 min read

HIM-200 is Southern New Hampshire University's introduction to health information technology and the people who make it work.

SNHU's catalog says the course describes the use of information technology and the role of health IT professionals in developing the electronic health record, and introduces the health information infrastructure and systems along with healthcare informatics, including applications, technology, privacy and security.

It is a broad survey, so most difficulty comes from sorting many new terms and systems into a clear picture.

Course at a Glance

ItemDetails
UniversitySouthern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
Course codeHIM-200
LevelUndergraduate
Credits3
Subject areaHealth information technology
Typical workShort written assignments, discussions and applied projects

What HIM-200 Covers

AreaWhat it involves
Role of health IT professionalsWho builds, supports and manages health systems
The electronic health recordHow IT supports its development and use
Health information infrastructureThe systems and networks that carry health data
Healthcare informaticsApplications and technology that turn data into knowledge
Privacy and securityProtecting health information

Key Concepts Explained

Data, Information and Knowledge

A blood pressure reading is data. Placed in a patient's trend over a month, it is information. Combined with clinical guidance to adjust treatment, it becomes knowledge. Informatics is largely about moving up that ladder.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure means the networks, servers, devices and software that health systems rest on. When an assignment asks about infrastructure, describe layers: devices at the point of care, systems that process data, and the connections between them.

Privacy and Security Basics

Privacy is about permitted use of information; security is about safeguards. Both apply to every system you study.

Invented scenario: a clinic adopts a patient portal. Your analysis could cover who builds it (health IT staff), what data it shows (EHR content), what infrastructure it needs (secure web hosting and network), and which privacy and security controls matter (user authentication and access logs).

Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them

Assignment typeWhat it testsHow to approach it
DiscussionUnderstanding of core termsDefine, apply to an example, cite a source
Short paperA single system or conceptDescribe it, explain its benefits and risks
Applied projectConnecting ideasUse a scenario and show how the pieces fit

Where Students Get Stuck

Who Works in Health IT

Because the catalog highlights the role of health IT professionals, many assignments ask who does what. Use a simple table to keep roles straight, and confirm exact titles in your course materials.

FunctionTypical responsibility
Systems supportKeeping applications and devices running for clinicians
Data and reportingPreparing accurate information for management and quality teams
Security and privacyControlling access and responding to incidents
Clinical liaisonTranslating between clinical needs and technical solutions

When you write about a system, add one sentence about which of these functions keeps it working. It makes a general answer concrete and ties it to the catalog's emphasis on professionals.

Before You Submit

Survey courses reward clear explanation, so a last read for clarity pays off.

Explaining your answer aloud to someone outside the field is a good test of whether it is clear.

Where HIM-200 Fits in the Program

HIM-200 is an undergraduate introduction, and it gives you the vocabulary for later courses in the SNHU health information area such as HIM-215 on coding and classification and HIM-220 on healthcare data management, which the catalog lists. You do not need a technical background to start.

The best preparation is curiosity about how a hospital actually works. Visiting a hospital website or reading a patient portal's help pages can give real examples to use in discussions.

Keep your examples concrete and your claims referenced, even in short posts.

Vocabulary to Know

Write each definition in your own words after reading the text; it is the quickest check that you understand the term.

Study Tips for HIM-200

How We Help with HIM-200

Send the prompt, rubric, readings and any draft. We can explain concepts, prepare a custom response on a comparable topic for study, or review your draft for clarity and APA style.

Work you submit must be your own under SNHU's academic integrity policy. GradeEssays is independent and not affiliated with Southern New Hampshire University.

Make Sense of HIM-200

Share the assignment, rubric and feedback. We prepare a custom response you can study and compare with your own.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does HIM-200 cover?

The role of health IT professionals, the EHR, health information infrastructure, healthcare informatics, privacy and security.

How many credits is it?

SNHU's catalog lists 3.

Is it a technical course?

It is an introduction, so it explains systems and concepts rather than requiring programming.

What level is it?

It is an undergraduate course.

Is HIM-200 about HL7 and FHIR?

The catalog does not name specific standards, so follow your course materials.

Can you help me prepare for assignments?

Yes. We can explain concepts and review your draft.