1. Health Information Governance Policies: Are We “Aware” Yet?
Tiffany Evans, Linda Goldberg, Timisha Johnson, Lemane Kaba, Jenny Utz
Montgomery College, Health Information Management
1. “AHIMA – Leading Information Governance for Healthcare.” AHIMA, n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2015. <http://www.ahima.org/topics/infogovernance>
2. “AHIMA: Leading Information Governance for Healthcare. Panel Discussion, CMS eHealth Summit.” AHIMA, 19 May 2014. <http://www.cms.gov/eHealth/downloads/eHealthSummit_PanelPress_051914.pdf>
3. Bowen, Rita. “Convention Q and A: Information Governance Key to Achieving Quality Goals.” Journal of AHIMA, 28 Sep. 2012. Web. Feb. 2015. <http://journal.ahima.org/2012/09/28/convention-q-and-a-information-governance-
key-to-achieving-quality-goals/>
4. Butler, Mary. “Keeping Information Clean: New Information Governance Efforts Challenge HIM to Sort Out Dirty Data.” Journal of AHIMA 84, no.11 (November–December 2013): 28-31
5. Cohasset Associates and AHIMA. “2014 Information Governance in Healthcare: Benchmarking White Paper.” AHIMA, n.d. <http://www.ahima.org/~/media/AHIMA/Files/HIM-Trends/IG_Benchmarking.ashx>
6. “Webinar: Results and Implications of the First Survey of Information Governance Practices in Healthcare. [Audio Recording with slides].” AHIMA, 2014. Web. 14 Feb. 2015. <https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/playback/Playback.do>
Selected References
The healthcare industry continues to expand its use of IT to capture clinical,
financial, and operational data. Healthcare organizations want to make sure that
data captured electronically are of the highest quality and are managed according
to best practices. Across the healthcare landscape, steps are being taken to
develop health information governance (IG) policies to address ‘dirty’ data issues.
IG is being recognized by AHIMA and by others as a “strategic imperative,” one
important to the ongoing role of the HIM professional and also important to the
organizations that collect and administer volumes of information. Data associated
with healthcare is increasingly seen as a strategic asset requiring appropriate
oversight and management through IG programs.
Last year, AHIMA conducted an IG survey, the results of which are discussed in a
benchmarking white paper5. “To build awareness” and “to educate stakeholders
on the importance” of IG programs were two of the recommended actions in that
whitepaper. Our research looks at the progress being made to build IG
awareness, roughly twelve months after the AHIMA IG survey date.
Introduction
Objective
Methodology
The goal of our applied research project is to better understand the current status
of health IG policies developed and implemented at various types of healthcare
organizations. Furthermore, we hope to characterize (1) the awareness that HIM
professionals have of their institution's health IG policies; (2) the areas of concern
that are driving the development of health IG policies; and (3) the obstacles and
barriers preventing health IG policies from “moving off” of documents and
whiteboards into everyday organization operations.
Results – Status and Awareness
13% 13%
27% 28%
18%
Not at all aware Not very aware Somewhat aware Fairly aware Very aware
Q2. How would you characterize your level of awareness of IG
programs within your organization?
40%
17% 17% 18%
8%
Not involved Would like to be
involved
Somewhat involved Fairly involved Very involved
Q3. How involved are you in your organization's information governance
program(s)?
13% 12%
22%
53%
Hadn't thought about it Somewhat important Fairly important Very important
Q4. How important is information governance to you personally?
We conducted a survey consisting of 10 questions directed at HIM professionals.
Three questions were designed to collect demographic information regarding
roles and organizations represented in our response population. Seven questions
addressed our topic and were designed to characterize the importance and
awareness of information governance. We used Survey Monkey (online software)
to collect data. We used Excel to process the data into graphics for display.
Local AHIMA members were contacted via email messages addressed directly to
DCHIMA and through the monthly eNewsletter distributed by MdHIMA. We also
leveraged Twitter messaging using the hash-tag #IGNOW, established by AHIMA
to flag conversation on the topic. 74% of our respondents work in either Maryland
or Washington, DC. (50% Maryland, 24% DC)
18%
15%
13%
12%
10%
7%
5%
5%
3%
2%
2%
2% 2% 2%2%
Areas of Concern Driving Development of
Information Governance Programs (Q6)
Data security (18%)
ICD9 to ICD10 transistion (15%)
EHR data capture and documentation (13%)
Compliance with rules and regulations (11%)
Privacy (10%)
Adherence to standards (7%)
Interoperability (5%)
Don't know (5%)
Achievement of meaningful use (3%)
Coordination of care (2%)
Financial risk (2%)
Other (2%)
Data breach risk (2%)
Dirty data risk (2%)
Management of patient identity (2%)
23%
13%
12%
11%
10%
9%
9%
7%
6%
Top Barriers to Instituting an IG Program (Q7)
Lack of awareness (23%)
Lack of consensus regarding need (13%)
Lack of support from management (12%)
Don't know (11%)
Lack of time (10%)
Lack of consensus regarding approach (9%)
Other (9%)
Lack of funding (7%)
No barriers (6%)
Conclusions
Results – Drivers of and Barriers to Development of IG Programs
The demographics of our 60 respondents covered a broad spectrum of healthcare
facility types and professional roles. Most of our respondents were HIM staff
employed in acute care hospitals in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Our
methodology and survey tool proved to be extremely effective.
IG is a “trending” topic for AHIMA. This past February marked the beginning of
AHIMA’s third Information Governance Month, an annual event. Our survey
suggests that IG is very important to individuals on a personal level (53% of
respondents), that a fair percentage of organizations have comprehensive IG
programs (22% of respondents), but fewer than half of organizations have offered
education or training on the topic (34% of respondents).
We present the following findings, which address our three stated objectives:
(1) 46% of our respondents indicated that they are fairly or very aware of IG
programs within their organizations.
(2) Data security, ICD9 to ICD10 transition, EHR data capture, and compliance
with rules and regulations are the top areas of concern driving IG policies.
(3) Lack of awareness was identified as the #1 obstacle preventing IG policies
from being implemented.
Are we “aware” yet? The trend is positive, however, continued education and effort
is needed to build adequate awareness and to promote the value of Information
Governance within the HIM community and beyond.
38%
20%
15%
12%
5%
3%
3% 3%
Demographics – Role at Work (Q9)
HIM Staff (38%)
Other (20%)
Manager (15%)
Director (12%)
Consultant/Contractor
(5%)
Executive or C-Level (3%)
Supervisor (3%)
IT Staff (3%)
52%
12%
10%
8%
7%
5%
3%
3%
Demographics – Organization (Q8)
Acute care hospital (52%)
Long-term care (12%)
Non-provider setting such as
government or vendor (10%)
Other (8%)
Consulting or outsourced
services (7%)
Educational institution (5%)
Behavioral or mental health
(3%)
Clinic or physician practice (3%)
33%
2%
17%
27%
22%
Don't have a
program
Recently initiated Under development Established for
some areas
Comprehensive
Q1. How would you characterize the status of IG programs at
your organization?