In Celebration of HIP Week 06: Accurate Information, Quality Care by Nancy Twombly

It's no surprise that the theme of this years' Health Information Professionals (HIP) week is Accurate Information, Quality Care. The enormous proliferation of healthcare data, coupled with the growing needs for information availability across the provider-patient-payor landscape, mandates that information be accessible and accurate. The ramifications of inaccurate information in a healthcare setting are significant. In addition to potential diagnosis and treatment errors that compromise patient safety, there are also negative impacts on operations, interoperability, and outcomes.

As part of the recent Iron Mountain Healthcare Transformation: It's all about the Data blog series, industry authors provided their unique predictions and perspectives on the importance of health information to enhance care and address key health system goals. A follow-up #InfoTalk Twitter Chat focused on the importance of quality data. While much was covered in the blog series and hour-long chat including the importance of the Health Information Management function in achieving these goals there were several notable tweets and quotes:

John Lynn(@techguy): The present and future of healthcare is built on the back of data

Ann Meehan (@bellemeehan2) : You can't have trustworthy information without accurate data

Paulo Machado (@pmachado): Actionable Insight falls apart without accurate and timely data

Dan Rode: Healthcare organizations, especially providers, cannot ignore the need to identify, organize, analyze, and govern or control their information resource. Information is not only their bottom line, it is their survival resource

As we celebrate HIP Week 2016, it is important to recognize the important role of HIM in ensuring the accuracy of information. With their established skillset and knowledge in health data quality, security, and workflow, the HIM professional has an enormous opportunity to take the lead in driving strategic initiatives in todays' information-driven landscape. As new technologies like mobile health and telehealth gain adoption, the HIM function can provide the guidance and leadership to ensure the integrity of new types of patient information. And, with the volume and variety of health information continuing to grow, the future opportunity for HIM is extremely bright.

But for today, it is important to acknowledge the dedication of thousands of health information professionals across the country that spend each day ensuring the accuracy of information - in support of quality care. HIP HIP Hooray!

LINK:	http://blogs.ironmountain.com/2016/industry/healthcare-information-man...
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