Functions
Health Information Overview | Current projects | Workshop
Please click on the links below to find out more about each project.
What it a Data Dictionary?
A data dictionary is defined as a descriptive list of names, definitions, and attributes of data elements to be collected in an information system or database.
Why introduce a data dictionary?
The purpose of the data dictionary is to standardise definitions and therefore have consistency in the collection of data. A data dictionary is critical to ensuring the quality and comparability of data.
What is being done?
The Authority recognises the need for establishing a national data dictionary as outlined in our business plan for 2009. The Authority has reviewed international best practices and is in the process of designing the data dictionary.
If you would like to find out more about this project please email info@hiqa.ie
Development of National Standards for Health Information Sources in Ireland
What is the background to this project?
Under the Health Act (2007), the Health Information and Quality Authority (the Authority) has been tasked with evaluating available information in health and social care services and making recommendations to the Minister for Health and Children about deficiencies in this information.
What is the purpose of this project?
The purpose of the first phase of this project is to produce a detailed national inventory of all the major health and social care information sources in Ireland, followed by mapping of these sources in terms of the uses of the information collected and high level information flows. This will ensure a ‘one stop shop’ on national health information sources which will inform and increase awareness amongst stakeholders on the existence, purpose and usefulness of health information sources.
During the second phase of the project, it is planned to develop National Standards to further improve the overall quality of the national health information sources. National standards will be developed in consultation with an Expert Advisory Group which will be convened to support this phase of the project. Existing systems will then be assessed against these standards.
What is being done?
A national inventory of health and social care information sources is currently being completed. The next phase of the project shall involve mapping of the information sources in more detail.
If you would like to find out more about this project please email info@hiqa.ie
Health Information Technical Standards
What is it?
One of the functions of the Health Information and Quality Authority as set out in the Health Act 2007 is:
Section 8 (1) (k) to set standards as the Authority considers appropriate for the Executive and service providers respecting data and information in relation to services and the health and welfare of the population;
Thus health information standards include data definitions, clinical concepts and terminologies, coding and classifications, messaging, the Electronic Health Record, security, audit, safety, and quality. Health information standards must cover both the syntax and semantics of the data in order to support interoperability between systems and meaningful sharing of data. Health information standards are therefore intended to remove ambiguity and ensure that there can be mutual understanding. Common data definitions are required in order to support the collection of nationally consistent and comparable data on the health status of the community, health determinants and health services (including performance).
Why introduce Health Information Technical Standards
Health Information is defined as information, recorded in any form or medium, which is created or communicated by an organisation or individual relating to the past, present or future, physical or mental health or social care of an individual or cohort.
The ability to share health information is a fundamental pre-requisite to the development of a timely, comprehensive, coordinated and above all safe healthcare system. Best practice internationally is to adopt a standards-based approach which insofar as is possible uses international standards with limited national customisation. This applies equally to standards for key performance indicators and minimum data sets as well as for messaging and electronic healthcare records standards. It is important to ensure coherence across all the different standards and to promote information re-use i.e. create once use many times.
What is being done?
A General Practice Messaging Working Group has been established. The interchange of agreed structured clinical information between healthcare providers is referred to as health messaging. The Authority is developing a specification for messages, based on the HL7 v2.4 messaging standards, to be used in communications from and to general practices. The scope of this messaging standard will include messages in the Order and Results domain covering both Laboratories and Radiology departments, Discharge Summaries, Out of hours summaries and Admission Discharge and Transfer Messages (ADT).
The next area where the Authority will focus its efforts is in the area of coding of laboratory and radiology tests. Existing international standards will be identified and assessed for suitability.
National Standards for Health Information Governance
What is Health Information Governance?
Health information governance relates to the ethical and legal considerations that should be given to health information to ensure that it is kept confidential and secure. A framework for health information governance is essential to enable the ethical use of information for the benefit of the individual to whom they relate and for the public good.
Why are National Standards for Health Information Governance important?
A framework for health information governance is becoming increasingly essential owing to more widespread use of information and communications technology, a growing number of information systems and increased expectations for healthcare providers to share information. Also there has been an increased awareness from the public on consent and privacy issues.
National Standards for Health Information Governance are required to bring together all the legal requirements, standards and best practice that apply to the handling and sharing of health information. They will provide a single reference point for all users of health information in order to manage this information in a manner that is in-keeping with best practice.
What is being done?
The Authority has documented both national and international practice in the area of health information governance. The Authority will develop National Standards for Health Information Governance based on the Health Information Bill, which is due to be enacted in 2010.
“As Is” Analysis of Information Governance in Health and Social Care Settings in Ireland
International Review of Information Governance Structures
If you would like to find out more about this project please email info@hiqa.ie
What are Key Performance Indicators?
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are measurable elements of practice that can be used to assess the quality of healthcare. KPIs facilitate the capture of healthcare trends and provide evidence of the quality of care being provided. They act as alerts to identify opportunities for improvement and indicate aspects of practice that may require further scrutiny.
Why are guidelines for the development of Key Performance Indicators important?
Monitoring the performance of our healthcare system assists organisations to identify areas of high quality and areas in which there is room for improvement. These guidelines will assist individuals and organisations to develop KPIs systematically and consistently, so that decision-makers and members of the public will have access to high quality information on the performance of healthcare organisations.
What is being done?
The Health Information and Quality Authority(The Authority) is currently developing a set of guidelines for the development of Key Performance Indicators based on an extensive review of evidence-based literature.
If you would like to find out more about this project please email info@hiqa.ie
Unique Health Identifier for Individuals
What is a UHI?
A Unique Health Identifer for individuals (UHI) is a unique, non-transferable lifetime number assigned to all individuals accessing health and social care in Ireland. Its purpose is to identify the individual enabling health and social care to be delivered to the right patient, in the right place and at the right time.
Why introduce a UHI?
With technological advances and the increase in patient expectations the delivery of healthcare is undergoing change. It is becoming more patient centered with greater emphasis on continuity of care. Currently in Ireland there is no UHI for individuals accessing health and social care services. Hospitals, general practitioners (GPs) and social care facilities have their own method of identifying patients. Having one method to identify an individual uniquely is essential for patient safety in the provision and management of high quality health and social care.
What is being done?
The Authority recognised the need for a UHI for individuals in Ireland. In March 2009, the Authority published “Recommendations for a Unique Health Identifier for Indivuidals in Ireland”. The Authority is currently advancing the recommendations made in this report and has completed an “International Review of Unique Health Identifiers for Individuals”. The Authority is also a member of a group set up by the Department of Health and Children to scope the UHI for individuals in Ireland for the forthcoming Health Information Bill.
If you would like to find out more about this project please email info@hiqa.ie
Unique Health Identifier for Healthcare Practitioners
What is it?
A unique health identifer for healthcare practitioners(UHI-P) is a unique, non-transferable lifetime number assigned to a healthcare practitioner. Its purpose is to identify the individual as one and the same person and to allow the “attaching” of other information, for instance their educational status, clinical practice development and what organisation(s) they currently work in.
Why introduce a UHI-P?
A UHI-P will identify each healthcare practitioner and ensure that they have the appropriate certification and authentication to practice, thereby improving patient safety, security and quality of care. It will provide a clear, concise national overview of service and specialty and distribution, furnishing our policy makers with more comprehensive, complete data.
What is being done?
The Authority recognises the need for a unique health identifier for healthcare practitioners as outlined in their business plan.
The Authority is currently reviewing what practices are in place to identify healthcare practitioners both nationally and internationally and it is also reviewing the international standards that guide best practice.
If you would like to find out more about this project please email info@hiqa.ie
Unique Health Identifiers for Healthcare Organisations
What is it?
A unique health identifer for healthcare Organisations (UHI-O) is a unique, non-transferable number assigned to a health and social care related organisation. Its purpose is to identify an organisation and verify that it is registered and authorised to provide health and social care services.
A UHI-O can be assigned to hospitals, GP practices, pharmacies, dental practices, residential care services for older people, residential care for people with disabilities, physiotherapy centres and many more.
Why introduce a UHI-O?
A UHI-O will identify every health and social care organisation in Ireland. It will identify the services and location of all healthcare facilities that are available nationally. The anticipated benefits include significant improvements in the ability to monitor quality and safety of patient care, it will enable flow of information and more comprehensive, complete data will be available to better inform strategic planning at a national level.
What is being done?
The Authority recognises the need for a Unique health identifier for healthcare organisations as outlined in our business plan.
The Authority is currently reviewing what practices are in place to identify healthcare organisations both nationally and internationally and it is also reviewing the international standards that guide best practice.
If you would like to find out more about this project please email info@hiqa.ie