Part I in the Big Picture Predictions and Perspectives Blog Series
Information governance (IG) makes explicit the ground rules and responsibilities of information stewardship and the mechanisms for accountability to improve the value of an organization's precious information assets. The benefits are tangible such as reducing the risk and cost of errors and rework, and closing compliance gaps. IG also benefits organizations in ways related to improved trust in information, such as improved decision-making and communications.
The good news is that healthcare providers are increasing their focus on data and information governance. Case studies and guidance materials are accelerating learning. My research identifies five characteristics of healthcare organizations that are improving the governance of their information assets:
Senior leaders understand that effective governance of information assets is essential to organizational performance and realizing value from technology. They understand that managing IT is not the same as managing the information product of the technology.
Information improvement efforts are aligned with strategic priorities. From patient care quality to care coordination and compliance, leaders understand that achieving organizational goals requires reliable and valid information.
Collaboration and cooperation trump an information ownership and silo mentality. Clinical and business process owners work together well supported by those who serve in information-centric roles including IT/IS, HIM, and informatics.
They have an aptitude for cross-functional policy and process optimization. Information policies are grounded in what is required by law and regulation but they go beyond to reflect the right and best thing to do for the organization and its stakeholders.
The results of IG are measured and continual improvements are introduced based on new learning, new methods, and technologies. It is understood that IG is not a project; it is a way of making decisions.
Still, too many healthcare leaders assume that technology will take care of governance, that it is a discretionary project that can be deferred or delegated. As stewards of clinically generated information, healthcare organizations have special ethical stewardship obligations to patients, other stakeholders and to the public.
If the upstream information is poorly governed, it impacts all the valuable downstream uses that are just now being more fully exploited. Effective upstream information governance is an imperative for a well-functioning health system and for society in general. Everything we are trying to do to improve health, wellness and healthcare depends on having trusted information. This includes expanding access, empowering people to achieve optimal levels of health and wellness, improving public health and health in communities, ensuring cost effective and evidence-based use of services, accelerating the impact of research and appropriate financing.
The expanding uses of clinically generated and other healthcare data is driving greater focus on governance. Policy and operational questions about how best to govern health big data, health information exchange and advancing the learning health system are being actively explored and new guidance is being formulated. Healthcare providers can't view IG as optional nor should they tolerate lax or sloppy governance. Vital downstream needs depend on sound IG by health care providers.
Over the coming year healthcare providers should expect to see greater accountability for:
The quality of the data and information maintained or shared
Adherence to privacy and security regulations and best industry practices that may go beyond regulatory obligations
Use of data content and transmission standards to facilitate interoperability
Access and uses for aggregate health information
De-identification of protected health information
Effective metadata and master data management
The best answers may not yet be known about how to accomplish many of the current and emerging information stewardship and management challenges. IG creates the organizational commitment and venue engaging smart people in crafting decisions that are right for their organization, for patients and the public. IG's time has come and 2015 promises to be a watershed year.
Join our Twitter Chat: Healthcare IG Predictions & Perspectives
On January 28th at 12:00 pm Eastern, @IronMtnHealth is hosting a Twitter chat using #InfoTalk to further the dialog. If you have been involved in governance-related projects, we'd love to have you join. What IG initiatives have shown success for you? How have you overcome any obstacles? What do you see as the future of IG? Keep the conversation going during our Healthcare IG Predictions & Perspectives #InfoTalk at 12pm Eastern on January 28th.
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Part I in the Big Picture Predictions and Perspectives Blog Series
