AHIMA17: Healthcare organizations recognize need for information governance

Implementation of information governance practices—or at least a need to implement them in the future—is growing, according to a survey released at the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) conference in Los Angeles.

Out of the more 1,500 healthcare professionals surveyed:

• 53 percent said they have information governance practices “in place” or recognize the need to adopt such practices.
• 14 percent have started an information governance program throughout their organization.
• 18 percent have related projects underway.
• 85 percent said they’re familiar with the principles of information governance.

“Our goal with this survey was to collect details on successes, obstacles and opportunities from healthcare professionals who are utilizing (information governance) programs,” said AHIMA interim CEO Pamela Lane, MS. “Our analysis shows that we have made progress in this arena and will continue to offer services for even more growth.”

Lane added that adopting governance gives providers “a competitive edge,” offering benefits like “risk reduction, cost avoidance and streamlined operations.”

For organizations without such a program, AHIMA has recommended starting with a data governance program, moving onto gathering support from the C-suite for a “more robust” information governance initiative. It also recommended developing an organization-wide strategic plan with a clear goal set for a return on their investment.

“It is important for organizations to remember information governance is not a project; it is an ongoing program and a continuous, repeated practice,” Lane said.