California State University, Long Beach
Health Care Administration Program
HCA 535, Quantitative Methods for Health Administration
SYLLABUS
Fall 2007
Instructor: Grace L. Reynolds, D.P.A.
Tel (work): (562) 495-2330 ext. 125
Email (work):
Office hours: Mondays, 2-5 p.m., Wednesdays, 9-1 and 2-5 p.m., and by appointment
Office location: ETC 101
Meeting Time: Wed. 7-9:45 p.m.
Course Description
This course is designed to help students identify and apply appropriate quantitative and operations research techniques to problems in health care settings. Students will receive intensive exposure to decision theory, probability, decision trees, break-even analysis, transportation and assignment models, waiting lines and queuing theory. Acquiring and using data to make decisions in complex problems is a key component of this class. A basic proficiency in MS Excel is required as it will be used in the class assignments. Prerequisites: Statistics (3 Units) and one course in Economics. Letter grade only (A-F).
Expected Outcomes
Upon completion of this class, you will be able to:
· Understand the different methods of comparing data and which should be used in specific situations (statistics review).
· Understand the basic types of quantitative methods available to managers and administrators from an operations research perspective.
· Use quantitative methods to make managerial decisions.
· Understand which types of quantitative methods to use in specific situations.
· Use different types of data to make informed decisions.
· Have a working knowledge of MS Excel for problem solving.
· Understand software applications for quantitative analysis.
· Develop an understanding of the peer review literature and how different quantitative techniques are used and reported.
Required text and materials
Required: Quantitative Methods in Health Care Management: Techniques and Applications by Yasar A. Ozcan, Jossey-Bass/John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
ISBN: 0-7879-7164-2
Understanding Regression Analysis: An Introductory Guide by Schroeder, Sjoquist and Stephan
ISBN: 0803927584
Statistics With Microsoft Excel, by Drestzke and Heilman, Prentice-Hall
ISBN: 0139565337
Supplementary Reader of additional articles to be purchased from One Stop at 7th and Bellflower.
Calculator capable of basic functions (adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, square root).
Effective use of quantitative analysis in management decisions is essential for anyone involved in the study or practice of health services administration. For quantitative analysis to decision making in management, this text is an ideal general reference manual for healthcare professionals.
Course Requirements and Grading Criteria
Students receive a letter grade for this course based on the percentage of total points earned.
90% to 100% A
80% to 89% B
70% to 79% C
60% to 69% D
0% to 59% F
Policy on late assignments: No late assignments will be accepted. You may fax or e-mail your assignments if you are unable to come to class as long as the assignment is received by the posted due date.
Disabled students who qualify for alternative testing arrangements, please advise the instructor and make arrangements well in advance of the exams.
Student Assignments and Grading:
Because this course covers many topics, by necessity few will be covered in depth. Students who are interested in more in-depth work in quantitative analysis are encouraged to take additional statistics or methods courses. Readings, problems, discussions, and student reports will provide opportunities for the student to understand the foundations of quantitative methods. Active participation by all students is necessary.
COURSE FORMAT
Lecture/discussion; in- and out-of-class exercises.
REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION
As in any graduate class, you start with an assumed grade of B. Completion of all assignments on time and adequately will maintain that B. Provision of brilliant creative insights and impeccably presented assignments on all materials turned in may, if consistent for the entire semester, earn you an A. Poorly presented work, late assignments, and indications that you are not doing the work or do not understand it, if consistent for the entire semester, will earn you a C or F.
Grading will be based on the following:
1. Reading and class participation 10% (a total of 50 points may be earned)
2. 5-7 page paper on quantitative approach 15% (a total of 50 points may be earned)
3. Homework Problems 50% (each homework problem is worth 25 points; there are 5 homework assignments)
4. Final examination 25% (worth 100 points)
EXPLANATION OF REQUIREMENTS
1.Reading, participation, and attendance. Students are expected to attend class on time, to complete all assigned readings, and to participate in class activities. Attendance will be taken and absences will be factored into the participation grade—if you are not in class you cannot participate. In order for the class to function well as a group, your active participation is necessary. The diversity of backgrounds, knowledge levels, and experiences of students in this class brings with it a richness from which we can all benefit and learn. Active participation includes preparation (readings completed by the specified date), questions, personal insights, active listening, commenting, and full engagement in in-class activities.
2. 5-7 page paper. This paper whould be double-spaced using 12-point font and should have a minimum of 10 references, 7 of which must be peer-reviewed journal articles that you access either through the library stacks or through the electronic holdings. Three of the references may be Internet-based references, such as web pages from various governmental web pages or agencies involved in health care, quality, health services research, etc. Approved topics for the paper are: statistical process control in healthcare, Six Sigma in health care; electronic medical records, staffing/scheduling issues in health care (nurses, physicians, other personnel, or scheduling of resources, such as operating rooms). If you have a topic you would like to write a paper on that is not among those listed above, please see the instructor first for approval of the topic.
3. Exercises: There will be 5 exercises applying quantitative analysis techniques to health management issues. Each of these exercises is worth 25 points. These include:
Homework #1-Regression 10% of total grade
Homework #2-Forecasting 10% of total grade
Homework #3-Decision Analysis 10% of total grade
Homework #4-Statistical Process Control 10% of total grade
Homework #5-Staffing/Scheduling 10% of total grade
4.Final Exam. There will be one in-class final exam.
Powerpoint slides used for lectures will be available on Beachboard. It is required that you have the ability to access this material. In order to do so, you will need to establish a CSULB email account.
Schedule
Sept. 5 Overview of course
Chapter 1—Introduction to Quantitative Decision-Making Methods in Health Care Management
Statistics Review
Chapter 2—Forecasting
Regression—supplemental materials
In Lab SPA 205
Sept. 12 Regression and Forecasting
In Lab SPA 205
Zazzali, J. L., Alexander, J. A., Shortell, S. M., & Burns, L. R. (2007). Organizational culture and physician satisfaction with dimensions of group practice. Health Services Research, 42(3), pp. 1150-1176
Sept. 19 Regression and Forecasting, continued
Homework assignments 1 & 2 handed out
Sept. 26 Chapter 7 Staffing
Chapter 8 Scheduling
Fisher, D. G., Pearce, F. W., Stotz, D. J. & Wood, M. M.
(2003). Employment retention of health care providers in
frontier areas of Alaska, International Journal of
Circumpolar Health, 62(4)
Elisha, D., Levinson, D. & Grinshpoon, A. (2004). A need-Based model for determining staffing needs for the public Sector outpatient mental health service system, The Journal Of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 31(3)
Homework assignments 1 & 2 due
Oct. 3 Chapter 3 – Decision Making in Health Care Facilities
Cheadle, A., Beery, W. L., Greenwald, H. P., Nelson, G. D.,
Pearson, D., & Senter, S. (2003). Evaluating the California
Wellness Foundation’s Health Improvement Initiative: A
Logic Model Approach, Health Promotion Practice, 4(2).
Homework problem #3 assigned
Oct. 10 Chapter 6 Reengineering
Jha, A. K., Ferris, T. G., Donelan, K. DesRosches, C., Shields, A., Rosenbaum, S. & Blumenthal, D. (2007). How common are electronic health records in the United States? A summary of the evidence. Health Affairs, June 2007, 496-507
Buerhaus, P. I., Donelsan, K., Ulrich, B. T., Norman, L., DesRoches, C., & Dittus, R. (2007). Impact of the nurse shortage on hospital patient care: Comparative perspectives. Health Affairs, 26(3), 853-862
Homework exercise #3 due
Oct. 17 Chapter 4 Facility Location
Chapter 5 Facility Layout
Valenstein, M., et al. (2006). Patient and facility-level factors
Associated with diffusion of a new antipsychotic in the VA
Health system. Psychiatric Services, 57(1).
Aspinall, S. L., Berlin, J. A., Zhang, Y., & Metlay, J. P. (2005).
Facility-level variation in antibiotic prescriptions for veterans with upper respiratory infections. Clinical Therapeutics, 27(2).
Homework #4 handed out
Oct. 24 Chapter 12 Quality Control
Revere, L. (2003) Integrating Six Sigma with total quality management: A case example for measuring medication Errors. Journal of Healthcare Management, Nov/Dec 2003, 48(6), 377-392.
Chassin, M. R. (1998). Is Health Care Ready for Six Sigma? Milbank Quarterly, 76(4).
Homework Assignment #4 due
Oct. 31 Chapter 11 Supply Chain and Inventory Management
Assignment #5 handed out
Nov. 7 No class—work on Human Subjects Protection Training Module on-line
Nov. 14 Chapter 9 Productivity/Benchmarking
Chong, P., Calingo, L., Reynolds, G., & Fisher, D. (2003) Using an innovative approach to shorten coaching and assessment time when applying the Baldrige Health Care Criteria for Performance Excellence in a substance abuse treatment setting, TQM & Business Excellence, 14(8).
Certificates from on-line training module due
Nov. 21 Chapter 14 Waiting Lines and Queuing Theory
Homework #5 due
Nov. 28 Chapter 13 Project Management
Dec. 5 Chapter 10 Resource Allocation
Aiken, L. (2007) U.S. nurse labor market dynamics are key to global nurse sufficiency. Health Services Research, 42(3), 1299-1320.
Dec. 12 Chapter 15 Simulation
Dec. 19 In-class Final Exam
CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM
The following is excerpted from the California State University, Long Beach Policy Statement 85-19, dated December 13, 1985.
It is the policy of the faculty and administration to deal effectively with the student who practices cheating or plagiarism. These acts are fundamentally destructive of the process of education and the confident evaluation of a student's mastery over a subject. A University maintains respect and functions successfully within the larger community when its reputation is built on honesty. By the same token, each student benefits in helping to maintain the integrity of the University. This policy, therefore, provides for a variety of faculty actions including those which may lead to the assignment of a failing grade for a course and for administrative actions which may lead to dismissal from the University. It is the intent to support the traditional values that students are on their honor to perform their academic duties in an ethical manner.
GENERAL:
The following definitions of cheating and plagiarism shall apply to all work submitted by a student.
DEFINITION OF PLAGIARISM:
Plagiarism is defined as the act of using the ideas or work of another person or persons as if they were one's own, without giving credit to the source. Such an act is not plagiarism if it is ascertained that the ideas were arrived at through independent reasoning or logic or where the thought or idea is common knowledge.
Acknowledgement of an original author or source must be made through appropriate references, i.e., quotation marks, footnotes, or commentary. Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to, the following: the submission of a work, either in part or in whole, completed by another; failure to give credit for ideas, statements, facts or conclusions with rightfully belong to another; in written work, failure to use quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it be a paragraph, a sentence, or even a part thereof. If you are doing close and lengthy paraphrasing of another writing or paraphrasing, you should consult the instructor.
Students are cautioned that, in conducting their research, they should prepare their notes by (a) either quoting material exactly (using quotation marks) at the time they take notes from a source; or (b) departing completely from the language used in the source, putting the material into their own words. In this way, when the material is used in the paper or project, the student can avoid plagiarism resulting from verbatim use of notes. Both quoted and paraphrased materials must be given proper citations.
DEFINITION OF CHEATING:
Cheating is defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain or aiding another to obtain academic credit for work by the use of any dishonest, deceptive or fraudulent means. Examples of cheating during an examination would include, but not be limited to the following: copying, either in part or in wholes, from another test or examination; discussion of answers or ideas relating to the answers on an examination or test unless such discussion is specifically authorized by the instructor; giving or receiving copies of an exam without the permission of the instructor; using or displaying notes; "cheat sheets," or other information or devices inappropriate to the prescribed test conditions, as when the test of competence includes a test of unassisted recall of information, skill, or procedure; allowing someone other than the officially enrolled student to represent the same. Also included is plagiarism as defined and altering or interfering with the grading procedures.
It is often appropriate for students to study together or to work in teams on projects. However, such students should be careful to avoid use of unauthorized assistance, and to avoid any implication of cheating, by such means as sitting apart from one another in examinations, presenting the work in a manner which clearly indicates the effort of each individual, or such other method as is appropriate to the particular course.
ACADEMIC ACTION:
One or more of the following academic actions are available to the faculty member who finds a student has been cheating or plagiarizing.
(a) Review -- no action.
(b) An oral reprimand with emphasis on counseling toward prevention of further occurrences;
(c) A requirement that the work be repeated;
(d) Assignment of a score of zero (0) for the specific demonstration of competence, resulting in the proportional reduction of final course grade;
(e) Assignment of a failing final grade;
(f) Referral to the Office of Judicial Affairs for possible probation, suspension, or expulsion.
Although the University catalog does not cover this aspect of plagiarism, please be aware that it is NOT acceptable to submit the same paper for two courses. If you want to write a paper on the same topic area for two different courses, you must submit two different papers. If the faculty discovers that you have submitted the same paper for another course, you will receive a failing grade for your paper in this course.