Understanding Health Policy and Administration for Improved Healthcare Outcomes (HPA 101)

Capella University’s HPA 101: Introduction to Health Policy and Administration course is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the essential elements of health policy and healthcare administration. It explores the intersection of policies, laws, and regulations and their direct impact on healthcare delivery and outcomes. By focusing on the role of administration in shaping healthcare systems, students gain the knowledge needed to drive change and improve patient care and organizational efficiency.

Course Overview:

In HPA 101, students will examine the foundations of healthcare policy, including key legislation, regulatory requirements, and the broader healthcare environment. They will learn about the roles of healthcare administrators in translating policy into practice, ensuring that healthcare systems comply with regulations and meet patient care standards. Students will also explore how effective healthcare administration can positively influence healthcare outcomes, focusing on aspects such as cost control, access to care, and patient safety.

Key Learning Outcomes:

By the end of HPA 101, students will:

Understand the Foundations of Health Policy: Learn about the evolution of health policy, key regulations such as HIPAA, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act, and how they shape healthcare delivery.
Identify Key Healthcare Administration Roles: Understand the roles of healthcare administrators in developing and implementing policies that directly affect patient care and organizational outcomes.
Evaluate the Impact of Policies on Healthcare Delivery: Assess how national, state, and local policies influence healthcare access, quality, and efficiency.
Drive Improved Healthcare Outcomes: Understand how healthcare administrators can improve patient care by effectively implementing policies and managing healthcare resources.

This course lays the foundation for students to understand how health policies are created, modified, and implemented, and how healthcare administrators play a pivotal role in improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.