Week 5 –
Final Paper

Focus of the Final Paper

“As health care becomes more complex, the interplay between the law and health
care increases. Government regulation of the health-care field continues almost
without pause while lawsuits against health-care providers appear to increase.
The interplay of these forces significantly affects the health information
manger’s ability to manage patient-specific health information. Thus, the
health information manager must possess a fundamental understanding of the law”
(McWay, 2010, p.3).

Consider the various legal and ethical aspects of health information management
that we have discussed over the past five weeks.  For your Final
Paper summarize and evaluate the most significant information related to each
of the four main components of the course.  Your paper should be eight- to
ten- pages (excluding title and reference pages) and utilize at least six
scholarly sources, all formatted according to APA guidelines as outlined in the
Ashford Writing Center.  Your Final Paper must contain the following:
 

I. Introduction

II. General Study of the Law

a. Describe the
process by which laws are created, enacted, and enforced, and discuss the role
of each branch of government in this process.

b. Discuss the principles and theories of liability as related
to health information management.

c. Review the health care relationships most common to a
lawsuit, and describe the most common challenges associated with health care
management. 

III. Overview of Ethics

a. Examine the
AHIMA Code of Ethics and its impact on ethical decision making in health
information management.

b. Discuss the current ethical challenges and theories related
to health care, health management, and supervision.

c. Assess the legal impact of bioethical issues on patients
and providers.

IV. Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Information Management

a. Analyze the
legal requirements for health record content, retention, and destruction, and
discuss how these requirements vary from state to state.

b. Describe how health records are owned and accessed in a
health care environment.

c. Discuss the critical differences between general and
specialized health records, and explain the role of increased privacy.

V. Specialized Areas of Concern in Health Information
Management

a. Identify the
current trends in risk management and evaluate the connection between risk
management and health information management.

b. Discuss the significance of compliance programs in reducing
fraud and preventing abuse.

VI. Conclusion

Writing the Final Paper

The Final Paper:

1. Must be eight-
to ten- double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as
outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

2. Must include a title page with the following:

a. Title of paper

b. Student’s name

c. Course name and number

d. Instructor’s name

e. Date submitted

3. Must begin with
an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.

4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.

5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.

6. Must use at least six scholarly sources cited according to
APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

7. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according
to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used
to evaluate your assignment.