Why data governance in healthcare is essential to improve quality of careWhy data governance in healthcare is essential to improve quality of care

Across all medical institutions, healthcare providers work with large amounts of data on a day-to-day basis that include patient history records, medical research, clinical and financial information. Maintaining this data becomes extremely crucial as it plays a major role in better clinical decision-making and managing healthcare related costs.  

However, with the significant amount of data being generated by these organisations, the challenge lies in trying to meticulously manage this information to ensure optimal data security and accuracy.  

Data governance in healthcare must be built to address technical and organisational challenges and should be designed to include a well-defined range of policies and procedures to effectively collect, store, analyse and process the data. It facilitates the sharing and exchange of healthcare data between different systems, organisations, and healthcare professionals. It establishes guidelines for data formatting, standard terminologies, and data integration protocols, enabling seamless interoperability. Effective data governance promotes efficient care coordination, reduces medical errors, and supports the continuity of patient care across different healthcare settings. 

Related: Unlock the power of data in health research with early quality control

Additionally, besides effective data management and analytics, a solid data governance framework helps ensure that relevant and accurate data is available to support decision-making processes, performance monitoring and various quality improvement initiatives. Reliable data assists healthcare organisations in identifying trends, seamlessly measuring outcomes and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and devise solutions accordingly.  

In February, 2019, the President of the UAE issued Federal Law No 2 of 2019 (Health Data Law) which regulates the use of information technology and communications (ITC) in the healthcare sector. The law allows the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention to collect, analyse and maintain health information at state level in the UAE and applies to all entities operating in the UAE, including the free zones. A report by global consultancy, PwC outlines some of the key components of this law, a major one being that the law will prohibit transferring health data outside the UAE unless authorised by the relevant health authority in coordination with the government ministry (Article 13). Aligning with international data protection standards and best practices, the Health Data Law requires entities to also introduce technical, operational and organisational procedures to ensure the integrity and security of the data.

Related:  Data-driven future of healthcare

Overall, healthcare data is definitely a strategic asset that has its immense value but also comes with its fair share of risks. Considering its impact on the business, data definitions and standards must be developed and maintained using an organisation-wide approach. 

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