Data management systems and architecture

¶ … Management Systems

Why is agreement on data naming and coding important?

The consistency between data naming and coding is critical for the taxonomy of data management systems to stay consistent and provide for a scalable, secure and reliable data structures so the full value of information can be used. The consistency of data naming and coding is critical for making an it system usable and relevant to business objectives and strategies (Hickman, Smaltz, 2008). The reliance on consistency of data structures is what anchors enterprise-wide information systems strategies and also allows for more effective strategic it governance as well (Tan, Payton, 2010).

Data naming and coding must be consistent and completely in synchronization with one another to ensure an accuracy and fidelity of analysis, business intelligence (BI) and use of advanced reporting applications. To accomplish this high level of synchronization across databases, data naming and coding must also be defined to a common architecture and series of guidelines (Tan, Payton, 2010). Often healthcare organizations create their own unique guidelines, taxonomies and requirements for data naming and coding to ensure a very high level of consistency across data sets and structures (Hickman, Smaltz, 2008). This is seen as an investment in cross-database compatibility, and also as an investment in greater levels of integration across databases at present and in the future (Tan, Payton, 2010). For any healthcare provider to attain its strategic objectives, it must continually seek out this level of consistency and stay focused on data naming and coding to ensure stability, security and portability of data.

2. In the article on public health preparedness, how does the information presented in this document tie into concepts presented in Chapter 13?

The article on public health preparedness tied into the concepts of governance and the disruptive nature of technological change occurring globally in healthcare today (Tan, Payton, 2010). The article attempts to show how through good governance a healthcare provider can create a foundation of belter public health preparedness, including integration of the latest technologies including TeleCare, Telemedicine, Tele-Health and E-Health to their overall preparedness strategies. The most prevalent connections are on how to transform governance into more effective healthcare over the long-term. The article also shows that for the immediate, intermediate and long-term needs of healthcare preparedness to be met, there must be strong support from a governance standpoint for data accuracy and integrity across an entire healthcare system (Hickman, Smaltz, 2008). The continued focus on how to make public health preparedness a core part of the overall functioning of a healthcare provider is also defined from the standpoint of patient care roles and responsibilities. One of the most effective uses of governance in any healthcare provider is to align information assets and systems to the specific needs of a given group of practitioners (Tan, Payton, 2010). Unifying all of these factors together needs to also be a suitable framework for minimizing risk and increasing overall patient responsiveness and support. The article and chapter seek to show how both can be combined effectively and serve as the foundation for minimizing costs and increasing the value of healthcare delivered.