Question

Chapter 2: Health Care Data

2-A) Discuss the difference between data and information. Explain how data and information are used by healthcare organizations (HCOs) and how is data and information are related to quality.

Answer 1

Ans) 2) A) Data is raw, unorganized facts that need to be processed. Data can be something simple and seemingly random and useless until it is organized. When data is processed, organized, structured or presented in a given context so as to make it useful it is called information. Over time "data" has become the plural of datum.

- The definition of information is news or knowledge received or given. An example of information is what's given to someone who asks for background about something.

- Healthcare data management is the process of storing, protecting, and analyzing data pulled from diverse sources. Managing the wealth of available healthcare data allows health systems to create holistic views of patients, personalize treatments, improve communication, and enhance health outcomes.

- HCOs should collect information on patients' race, ethnicity, and language so that they can understand the needs of the population they serve, measure disparities in care within their institution, initiate programs to improve quality of care, and provide patient-centered care.