Development and implementation of information management standards to contribute to safer better care

ISSUE: Good data and information is the foundation to a high-quality healthcare. It is also important for planning and managing services, policy-making and research. DESCRIPTION: Information management includes the collection, storage, management and maintenance of information at any stage of the data and information cycle. Advances in eHealth have the potential to improve care by providing information when, and where, needed. Ongoing developments, including the establishment of a European Health Data Space, emphasise the need for good information management practices. It is imperative that organisations have the appropriate structures, systems, policies and procedures, according to evidence-based standards, to ensure data collected is of the highest quality and used to its full potential to promote safer better care, improved outcomes and overall wellbeing. RESULTS: In 2017, ‘Information Management Standards for National Health and Social Care Data Collections’ and a review programme to assess compliance against these standards was initiated by HIQA. To date, compliance with the information management standards has been reviewed in five major national data collections. A common finding was that a system-wide approach to information management was required. In 2022, HIQA began revising the standards given the learning from the review programme. The revision of the standards involves broadening the scope of the standards to include all services and organisations that process health and social care information. LESSONS: It is important that everyone working within health and social care services is aware of their responsibilities in terms of information management. Good information management is critical as eHealth plans progress and large volumes of personal data are processed in Ireland. Information management standards will be key to promoting high quality care, and enhanced planning and management of services, policy making, public health and research. KEY MESSAGES: • Good information management is critical to promote safer better care, improved outcomes and overall wellbeing. • Organisations need appropriate structures, systems, policies and procedures according to evidence-based standards to ensure data collected is of the highest quality and used to its full potential.