15.2 Information Governance and Data Management
2 min read•july 24, 2024
Information governance in healthcare manages data to ensure accuracy, security, and compliance. It protects patient privacy, supports clinical decisions, and facilitates efficient operations while adhering to regulations like and .
Key components include leadership, policies, technology, training, compliance, and risk management. Legal aspects cover data retention, destruction, and archiving, while data quality focuses on accuracy, integrity, and security to foster patient trust and support evidence-based medicine.
Understanding Information Governance in Healthcare
Role of information governance
Top images from around the web for Role of information governance
How the IGRM Complements ARMA’s Principles « EDRM View original
Is this image relevant?
Information Governance Reference Model (IGRM) Guide « EDRM View original
Is this image relevant?
How to use relevant data for maximal benefit with minimal risk: digital health data governance ... View original
Is this image relevant?
How the IGRM Complements ARMA’s Principles « EDRM View original
Is this image relevant?
Information Governance Reference Model (IGRM) Guide « EDRM View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Role of information governance
How the IGRM Complements ARMA’s Principles « EDRM View original
Is this image relevant?
Information Governance Reference Model (IGRM) Guide « EDRM View original
Is this image relevant?
How to use relevant data for maximal benefit with minimal risk: digital health data governance ... View original
Is this image relevant?
How the IGRM Complements ARMA’s Principles « EDRM View original
Is this image relevant?
Information Governance Reference Model (IGRM) Guide « EDRM View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- Information governance manages information assets comprehensively ensuring data accuracy, security, and regulatory compliance
- Healthcare data management protects patient privacy, supports clinical decisions, facilitates efficient operations, ensures compliance (HIPAA, HITECH)
- Key benefits improve patient care outcomes, enhance operational efficiency, reduce legal and financial risks (malpractice claims, regulatory fines)
Components of governance frameworks
- Leadership and oversight establishes executive sponsorship and governance committee structure
- Policies and procedures implement data classification, access control, data lifecycle management
- Technology infrastructure deploys data storage systems, security measures, backup and recovery solutions (cloud storage, encryption)
- Training and education develops staff awareness programs and ongoing skill development
- Compliance and auditing conducts regular assessments, monitoring, and reporting mechanisms
- Risk management identifies potential threats and develops mitigation strategies (data breaches, system failures)
Legal aspects of data management
- Data retention adheres to legal requirements (HIPAA, state laws) balancing retention needs with storage costs
- Data destruction employs secure methods for physical and electronic data disposal documenting processes (shredding, degaussing)
- Data archiving implements long-term storage solutions preserving data integrity (off-site backups, blockchain)
- Ethical considerations balance patient rights to access health information with research needs and responsible use of de-identified data
Data quality in healthcare
- Data quality ensures accuracy and completeness of health records impacting patient care and safety (medication errors, misdiagnoses)
- Data integrity maintains consistency and reliability of information protecting against unauthorized alterations (, version control)
- Data security implements encryption, , authentication measures, incident response procedures (two-factor authentication, firewalls)
- Importance in healthcare fosters patient trust, ensures regulatory compliance, supports evidence-based medicine and quality improvement initiatives
Key Terms to Review (17)
Access Controls: Access controls are security measures that determine who is allowed to view or use resources in a computing environment. They play a critical role in protecting sensitive information by ensuring that only authorized individuals can access specific data, especially in fields like healthcare where privacy and security are paramount. These measures not only help in safeguarding patient information but also comply with regulatory requirements, making them essential for the integrity and trustworthiness of telemedicine and digital health systems, information governance frameworks, and compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule.
Audit trails: Audit trails are systematic, chronological records that capture the details of activities and transactions related to data access and management within electronic systems. These records help ensure accountability, facilitate compliance with regulations, and enhance security by allowing organizations to track who accessed information, when, and what actions were taken.
Chief information officer: A chief information officer (CIO) is a senior executive responsible for managing and overseeing the information technology (IT) strategy and implementation within an organization. This role is crucial in aligning IT initiatives with the organization’s goals, ensuring data governance, and managing information as a vital asset, particularly in healthcare settings where data privacy and security are paramount.
Data breach: A data breach is an incident where unauthorized individuals gain access to confidential data, potentially exposing sensitive information such as personal identification, medical records, or financial details. This term connects deeply with information governance and data management, as it highlights the importance of securing data and managing it effectively to prevent such incidents. Organizations must implement robust policies and practices to safeguard information and ensure compliance with regulations surrounding data protection.
Data encryption: Data encryption is the process of converting information or data into a code, especially to prevent unauthorized access. This method secures sensitive information by transforming it into an unreadable format, which can only be reverted to its original form with the appropriate decryption key. It plays a crucial role in protecting patient information and maintaining confidentiality within healthcare systems.
Data governance committee: A data governance committee is a group of stakeholders responsible for overseeing and managing data governance policies, practices, and compliance within an organization. This committee plays a crucial role in establishing guidelines for data management, ensuring data quality, and facilitating the proper use of data across various departments. By creating a structured approach to data governance, this committee helps organizations safeguard their data assets and comply with regulations.
Data stewardship: Data stewardship refers to the management and oversight of an organization's data assets to ensure their quality, integrity, and security. It involves establishing policies and processes for data governance, aiming to protect sensitive information while maximizing its value for decision-making. Effective data stewardship is crucial in maintaining compliance with legal and ethical standards in information management.
De-identification: De-identification is the process of removing or modifying personal information from a dataset so that individuals cannot be readily identified. This practice is crucial for protecting patient privacy and confidentiality in healthcare, as it allows organizations to use data for research and analysis without compromising sensitive information. By stripping away identifiable elements, de-identification facilitates compliance with legal standards while enabling data sharing and improved patient outcomes.
HIPAA: HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a federal law enacted in 1996 that sets standards for protecting sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge. This law plays a crucial role in establishing the privacy and security of health data while also facilitating the flow of information for healthcare providers and patients.
HITECH: HITECH, or the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, was enacted in 2009 to promote the adoption of electronic health records (EHR) and enhance healthcare information technology. This legislation is crucial for advancing information governance and data management in healthcare by providing incentives for healthcare providers to implement EHR systems, ensuring patient data is stored securely, and improving the overall quality of care through better data management practices.
Information lifecycle management: Information lifecycle management (ILM) is a comprehensive approach to managing data and information through its entire lifecycle, from creation and storage to usage and eventual destruction. This systematic approach ensures that data is properly categorized, retained, and disposed of in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, which is crucial for effective information governance and data management strategies.
ISO 27001: ISO 27001 is an international standard that specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving an information security management system (ISMS). This standard aims to help organizations protect their information assets systematically and cost-effectively, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive data.
Malpractice liability: Malpractice liability refers to the legal responsibility that healthcare professionals and organizations have when they fail to provide the expected standard of care, resulting in harm to patients. This concept is crucial as it ensures accountability within the healthcare system, where errors or negligence can lead to significant patient harm or even death. Understanding malpractice liability is vital for navigating the complexities of patient safety, quality of care, and the ethical implications of utilizing advanced technologies and managing patient data.
Negligence: Negligence refers to a failure to take proper care in doing something, which results in damage or injury to another person. In the context of healthcare, it often involves a breach of duty that leads to harm, making it a key component in medical malpractice cases and other legal matters related to patient care.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework: The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a set of guidelines and best practices developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to help organizations manage and reduce cybersecurity risk. It provides a flexible framework for organizations to identify, protect, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber threats, ensuring that they can safeguard their information and data assets effectively.
Patient consent management: Patient consent management is the process of obtaining, documenting, and managing a patient's agreement to receive medical treatment or participate in healthcare-related activities. This involves ensuring that patients are fully informed about their treatment options and the associated risks, thereby empowering them to make decisions about their care. Effective consent management is critical for compliance with legal and ethical standards in healthcare, while also promoting patient autonomy and trust.
Risk assessment: Risk assessment is a systematic process for identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing potential risks that could negatively impact an organization. This process helps organizations to understand the vulnerabilities in their operations and develop strategies to mitigate these risks. Effective risk assessment is crucial for ensuring compliance, protecting sensitive data, and managing liability in various contexts such as healthcare operations and insurance.