It s All About the Data: #HIPWeek 04 Ends by Nancy Twombly

There is a well known saying that the only constant is change . It is equally apt to say that the only constant is data . Particularly in healthcare, the data keeps on coming. And in this world of tight budgets and scarce resources, Healthcare Information Managers and Healthcare IT staff are faced with the task of managing all this data - throughout its lifecycle. And in order to do so, the traditionally separate HIM and Health IT worlds are coming together as electronic records become pervasive across health systems.

It's fitting that this years' #HIPWeek is calling 2014 the year of the data . Driven by factors such as CMS' value-based purchasing rules that will take effect in October, healthcare is evolving from claims-based reimbursement to pay-for-performance. According to AHIMA, never before has data been so closely tied to reimbursement. HIM professionals must strengthen their data analytic skills in order to handle the pay-for-performance initiatives currently developing, and the initiatives sure to come. Throughout the coming year, the HIM community will be working to leverage data to manage patient identity, patient privacy and security, and health data provenance.

As the Health IT and HIM worlds converge, there is a common need to gain a more complete view of information across the enterprise. It is necessary to inventory the information systems and applications, and identify the clinical process owners and the sources and flow of data. A more complete understanding of data is essential in moving from todays' largely siloed world to an enterprise view in the future.

It's fitting too that HIMSS is looking at effective management of data as a key enabler for providers to address strategic initiatives like Meaningful Use and ICD-10. The recent 2014 HIMSS Analytics Report The Perfect Storm, Navigating the Health IT Archiving and Data Management Challenge states the need to develop a successful strategy to manage data is essential. An increasing number of healthcare organizations are using analytics from current data and archived data to project needs of their patients and streamline their organizational business performance. An effective data management strategy can be a significant contributor to improving access to information.

So, as #HIPWeek 2014 comes to an end, the need for greater data management and governance is continuing to take off. What's more, the need for continual collaboration between HIM and Health IT managers will be essential to a successful data management strategy. If you're a HIM or Health IT professional, we'd love to hear how you are working together to make the year of the data a reality.

LINK:	http://blogs.ironmountain.com/2014/industry/healthcare-information-man...
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