Capstone Projects

Helping the privacy department update the privacy assessment action plan

Program: Health Information Management Technology Bachelor's
Host Company: Thedacare Regional Medical Center
Location: Appleton, Wisconsin (onsite)
Student: Alicia Rekoske

Project Plan

Brief description of project:  Assist Privacy Officer in updating privacy assessment and helping to put the action plan created in place.   This is accomplished through multiple projects;

  • Research information on a privacy committee for the system.
  • Help the organization update their business associate agreements throughout the organization.
  • Review the draft of the privacy program oversight policy for submission.

If there is time I will help update current policies that are outdated or work on any other projects that may come up.

Main objectives: My main objectives of this project are to learn more about HIPAA and release of information within the system. To have a better understanding of the rules and understand how it works. I also would like to have a better understanding of what a privacy officer’s role is within the organization. Through this capstone we also discussed shadowing a couple other areas of HIM to have a better understanding of the area I would like to explore upon graduation.

Major tasks and deliverable for completion of the project: The major tasks and deliverable for this project would be to stay on task and be able to complete all of the projects assigned.

  • Update Business Associate Agreements.
  • Privacy committee research.
  • Review the draft of the privacy program oversight policy for submission.
  • Time permitting:   update the current policies that are outdated and need updating
  • Other projects that may arise.

Methods/Modes of carrying out tasks: I plan to for the most part work at the hospital. I am able to work from an office with some supervision at times more or less to have someone to go to if I have questions. There are a few days that I will be working completely independently as he will not be available to be at the site. Those days I have the option to work remotely if need be. My days with Paul are going to be 9.5 hour days with the hope of being completed after March 16th.

Provisions for unexpected project changes: If my tasks/projects are completed prior to my capstone hours being completed, I have the option to help complete other tasks on the current action plan has in place. As stated above I can help to update current outdated policies. Not having a large background understanding HIPAA is also an obstacle with completing some of these tasks where more education may be needed in order for the completion of the project. If for some reason something comes up that prohibits me from completing my tasks/project by my projected end time, I will plan to work over until my tasks are complete. This is a learning experience for me and my expectations have not been set high because I don’t know what to expect therefore any changes that come along the way or problems that may arise I will adapt to and problem solve when and if that time arises.