Question

Propose how the function of Data Stewardship and how this function can be provided within a typical healthcare department (clinical, administrative). Can data stewardship be performed by an individual or group? What interaction (if any) would be needed between the departments of the hospital? Please explain your reasoning. Also, what external factors would a data steward (individual or group) need to consider ensuring legal and regulatory compliance for the security of healthcare data?

Answer 1

Answer: Data Stewardship is a business technique for managing an organisation's data that is easily accessible. It is used particularly for maintaining data quality. Data Stewardship is essential in the healthcare department for proper management and improving the working standard.   

Yes, data stewardship can be performed by an individual or group. The individual or group would be responsible for the proper management and quality of the data stored in a hospital.  

Useful data storage and their sharing within the department will help in proper coordination between the departments. This will lead to collaborative work and applications. Data and information sharing should be done between the departments that will make many important things open for consultation.

There should be proper security policy for the healthcare data. Data steward should maintain the privacy code. The data and information in health is always sensitive and therefore need proper security. The data should never be shared to the public domain or other organisation unless and until there is a need and that should be approved by the head of the institution.