The following is a guest article Jolie Ritzo, Vice President of Strategy and Network Engagement, Civitas Networks for Health
Healthcare data management in 2024 will be complex and complex. From integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into medical and health data platforms, to establishing robust data standards beyond the clinical setting, to managing patient consent and increasing patient access, to healthcare data exchange and data management. It is no exaggeration to say that it contains many valuable complexities. Please use extreme caution. The scope of health data sharing and use extends far beyond the introduction of electronic health records in healthcare settings to include demographic, health behavior, social determinants of health (SDOH), and public health datasets. expanded to cover.
This expansion not only increases the amount of data, but also requires great care to ensure quality, privacy, and trust are maintained across the medical and community care continuum. Here are some of the most exciting and challenging aspects of both the exchange and use of comprehensive health data this year and in the future.
Community and data governance: Driving action
It's been said before that “data exchange and community action happens at the speed of trust,” and this couldn't be more true. Both community and data governance are essential to continue meaningful health improvements. Actively involving multiple stakeholders in decision-making requires collaboration and public-private partnerships. Importantly, communities most affected by poor health need a seat at the table to inform interventions and initiatives. Nonprofit health data collaboratives (HIEs, CIEs, APCDs, community health improvement collaboratives, community care hubs, and quality improvement organizations) not only move and use data, but also serve as neutral community conveners. By doing so, it acts as a critical infrastructure.
At the macro level, Civitas Network for Health We bring together more than 170 member organizations from across the country, each working to transform health care through data-driven insights and improved health for multiple stakeholders. Our collective efforts are based on the principle of empowering communities by providing them with the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions. Through strong community engagement and data governance, her Civitas members across the country ensure diverse voices are heard and local needs are met. Fostering an ecosystem where data acts as a catalyst for community health improvement and multi-stakeholder collaboration increases the inclusivity of important community voices and lays the foundation for more sustainable solutions. Masu.
Standardizing SDOH data: pioneering whole-person care
In 2023, gravity project, Partnered with Civitas with generous support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Implementing Gravity’s unified data standard for SDOH in communities across the country. This initiative recognizes that health outcomes are influenced by many factors beyond traditional clinical data, and is a testament to our efforts towards more holistic health and social care. Standardizing SDOH data creates an opportunity to better understand patient needs and communicate these needs with other health care providers who support the care of individuals in different community settings. The ability to make referrals and close the loop across care settings is critical to treating the whole person.
Leverage AI with trusted infrastructure monitoring
The potential of AI to revolutionize healthcare and health data management is enormous. However, the implementation of AI in healthcare requires careful oversight to prevent bias and ensure data integrity. By leveraging its established health information exchange (HIE) infrastructure, Civitas health data utility (HDU) model can be used to develop a robust framework for AI governance in healthcare data management. This approach not only strengthens data management capabilities, but also ensures that AI applications are developed and utilized in an ethical, fair, and patient-centered manner. By accelerating responsible AI innovation, we aim to harness its power to improve health outcomes while protecting patient rights and data privacy.
Consent management: Improving privacy and accuracy
Central to patient trust and data integrity is the critical issue of consent management. Patient consent is the gateway to accurate patient data that can provide better care. Patients recognize that they may consent to some of their data being shared with some health care providers over a period of time, and parties obtaining consent and parties exchanging health data , must be equipped with the most effective methods and tools. As an example, some of her HIEs and other organizations that exchange health data may Segmenting data for privacy (DS4P) Standard for Protecting Sensitive Health Information.
This technological approach enables accurate tagging and management of medical data and provides assurance to patients that their choices and privacy are respected and maintained. Streamline the consent process and share only the necessary information at the right time and with the right entity. This accuracy not only enhances patient privacy, but also gives individuals more control over their health information, fostering a more trusting healthcare environment.
Moving Forward: The Present and Future of Healthcare Data Management
As we look to the future, it is clear that the interaction of emerging technologies and new models of care will continue to redefine healthcare data management. Embracing a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, prioritizing patient-centered strategies, and promoting inclusive governance are critical.
As health improvement and health data management proliferate with new technologies, private investment, and for-profit solutions, the importance of nonprofit, multi-stakeholder data collaboration focused on governance cannot be overlooked. With this kind of infrastructure, you can drive innovative solutions that are resilient to the ups and downs of the healthcare environment.
Receive the latest healthcare and IT articles every day
Join thousands of Healthcare and HealthIT colleagues who subscribe to our daily newsletter.