KPJ Healthcare Berhad

Healthcare meets technology

n 1991, when KPJ University College (KPJUC) was established under the name of Puteri Nursing College, maintenance and care of health records was kept by traditional (paper-based) and electronic means.

In 1991, when KPJ University College (KPJUC) was established under the name of Puteri Nursing College, maintenance and care of health records was kept by traditional (paper-based) and electronic means. With the widespread computerisation of health records and other information sources - including hospital administration functions and health human resources information - health informatics and health information technology are being increasingly utilised in information management practices in the health care sector. As the medical world moves towards a fully electronic future, Health Information and Case Mix Management (HIM) programmes have become relevant. Acknowledging the need, students will be trained to fill the growing work force. KPJUC, as a subsidiary of KPJ Healthcare Berhad, is providing the opportunity for interested students to work in health care. Their three-year Diploma in Health Information and Case Mix Management (HIM) programmes allows students to delve into the world of health information without direct contact with patients. The entry requirements for the programme are either five credits and a pass in English in SPM (BM, Science, Mathematics and two other subjects) or a minimum of three credits in SPM and three years' working experience in a Medical Record Unit. Upon graduating, students should demonstrate the ability to act as skilled HIM professionals and ensure the organisation has the right information on hand with the highest standards of data integrity. KPJUC's course structure programmes incorporate the disciplines of medicine, management, finance, information technology, and entrepreneurship into one curriculum. This programme incorporates both theory and practical and spread over three years, divided into six semesters in total. The entire programme has been designed to enhance the students' knowledge and practical skills in performance of services related to hospital information, ICD coding and Case-Mix management in health care institutions. The unique mixture allows HIM graduates to serve as bridges in a variety of work settings across an array of healthcare environments including hospitals, outpatient clinics, government agencies and private industries. These professionals affect the quality of patient information and patient care at almost every touch point in the healthcare delivery cycle. They will be called on to improve efficiency in health care facilities by optimising efficiency in billing and improving electronic data integrity through quality management. Other than core subjects in the Medical Records programme, the curriculum also provides students with non-credit instruction in Academic English Language Program. The subjects offered will also expose students to human anatomy, physiology and related diseases as well as medical terminology and abbreviations. This is to make known to students the medical terms related to human body and familiarise them with writing medical reports. Broadening the education programmes To date, KPJUC produces almost 5,000 nurses and healthcare professionals with Diploma, Degree and Post-graduate specialised qualifications. Based on the record and following the elevation to university college status in mid-2011, KPJUC has since begun structuring new programmes to be offered in addition to existing ones. Diploma in Health Information and Case-Mix Management is among the new programmes under the education expansion plan for 2012. As the next intake is in September 2012, KPJUC expects to offer 30 new bachelor's and master's degree as well as doctorate programmes at the main Nilai campus. KPJ University College Nilai Campus is located at Lot PT 17010, Persiaran Seriemas, Kota Seriemas, 71800 Nilai, Negri Sembilan. For details, call 06-7942629 or visit www.kpjiuc.edu.my

With the widespread computerisation of health records and other information sources, health informatics is increasingly being utilised in information management practices.