Information Governance

Overview

Information governance is emerging as a priority for healthcare. Information governance (IG) is the accountability framework and decision rights to achieve enterprise information management (EIM). EIM is defined as the infrastructure and processes to ensure the information is trustworthy and actionable.

Since HIM professionals have rich understanding of complex and rapidly changing, heavily regulated healthcare information, they are uniquely qualified to lead and support IG and EIM initiatives.

Why is Information Governance Important?

Healthcare is facing the challenges of bringing improvements in care and cost-savings to the healthcare system. Information is an asset. IG and EIM are tools to effectively and efficiently manage the organization’s information. In order to succeed, healthcare organizations need to invest in ways to manage, control, and understand all of the data. They will require an information governance strategy. Studies have shown that organizations with a formal governance program have an:

  • 81% better decision making process,
  • 85% improved ability to protect sensitive data
  • 53% improved business results and;
  • improved organization learning about information management.

Value in having IG

Risk in not having an IG strategy
  • Predictive analysis
    • Staffing
    • Supply chain
    • Financial
    • Clinical
  • Integrity of information
    • Patient care
    • Security
    • Subsequent uses
  • Ability to exchange health information
  • Incomplete/incomprehensible health records
  • Inability to access and use information
  • Privacy and security breaches
  • Inability to effectively exchange information
  • Copy/paste concerns that lead to fraud and abuse allegations

Information Governance, Data Governance and Information Technology Governance

  • IG is the responsibility of executive leadership for developing and driving the IG strategy throughout the organization. IG encompasses both data governance (DG) and information technology governance (ITG).
  • Data governance (DG) is the responsibility of the business unit. It is the policies, processes and practices that address the accuracy, validity, completeness, timeliness and integrity of data (data quality).
  • Information technology governance (ITG) is led by the CIO. It is the process to ensure the effective evaluation, selection, prioritization, and funding of competing IT investments. ITG oversee the implementation and extracts (measurable) business benefits.

HIM's Role

HIM professionals are information managers, not just record mangers. Information is coming into the organization from multiple sources; need to ensure the information is accurate. No one else is looking at this.

HIM professional domains of expertise encompasses: 1) financial, 2) clinical and 3) legal/regulatory areas of knowledge needed by organizations to be able to analyze, interpret and create innovative solutions for our organizations. HIM professionals are able to navigate across all three areas which are CRITICAL for our organization’s success.

  • Educate organization C-suite
  • Work with C-Suite to create an IG committee in which HIM is a participant
  • Serve as the data steward for patient data
  • Identify areas of opportunity through using metrics to show the challenge and quantify positive impact (financial, quality, risk) of IG program
  • Current State Assessment
    • Information Asset Inventory
    • Trust Assessment
    • Governance Infrastructure Assessment
  • Gap Analysis and Risk Assessment
  • Strategic IG Planning

  • Health intelligence (using mined data for predictive/prescriptive plans)
  • Data for MU, ACOs, HIE how and what is needed
  • Comparing data sent to organization from outside to use for population management, outcomes and planning
  •  Ensuring integrity of data
  • Oversight of patient data auditing both internal and external