How to Overcome Informatics Challenges in Healthcare https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/what-challenges-using-informatics-...

Last updated on Nov 17, 2023

All / Engineering / Computer Science

What are the challenges of using

informatics to improve healthcare
outcomes?
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1 Data Quality

2 Data Security

3 Data Integration

4 Data Analysis
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5 Data Utilization
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6 Data Governance
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7 Here’s what else to consider

Informatics is the science of collecting, processing, and analyzing data to generate insights and
support decision-making. In healthcare, informatics can help improve the quality, safety, and
efficiency of care delivery, as well as promote patient engagement and empowerment. However,
using informatics to improve healthcare outcomes also poses some challenges that need to be
addressed. In this article, you will learn about some of these challenges and how they can be
overcome.

1 of 7 2/8/2024, 4:34 PM
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Olga Kochar
Division Director, Laboratory and Transfusion Services at The George Washington University
Hospital
View contribution · 3

Rodrigo G. M. Silvestre
Especialista em estratégia, política, ciência, tecnologia e inovação

View contribution · 1

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1 Data Quality
One of the main challenges of using informatics to improve healthcare outcomes is ensuring the
quality of the data that is collected, stored, and analyzed. Data quality refers to the accuracy,
completeness, timeliness, consistency, and relevance of the data. Poor data quality can lead to
errors, misinterpretations, and missed opportunities for improvement. To ensure data quality,
healthcare organizations need to adopt standards and protocols for data collection, validation,
cleaning, and integration. They also need to train and educate their staff on how to use data
effectively and ethically.

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Rodrigo G. M. Silvestre
Especialista em estratégia, política, ciência, tecnologia e inovação

2 of 7 2/8/2024, 4:34 PM
How to Overcome Informatics Challenges in Healthcare https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/what-challenges-using-informatics-...

In my experience, the occurrence of artificial intelligence hallucinations is a growing problem and

has harmful potential in the health sector.
This occurs when the model presents data as if it were true, but was only generated to fill space
in the narrative.
It is necessary to invest time and money to develop mechanisms to prevent this type of…see proble…
more

· 1

2 Data Security
Another challenge of using informatics to improve healthcare outcomes is protecting the data
from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. Data security refers to the measures and policies
that are implemented to prevent data breaches, cyberattacks, or misuse. Data security is
especially important for healthcare data, which often contains sensitive and personal information
about patients and providers. To ensure data security, healthcare organizations need to comply
with relevant laws and regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPAA). They also need to use encryption, authentication, and authorization techniques to
safeguard their data.

Add your perspective

Rodrigo G. M. Silvestre
Especialista em estratégia, política, ciência, tecnologia e inovação

It is necessary to think about a public data anonymizer, or an open anonymization system based
on free software.
The first wave of health improvements arising from the use of data can be obtained from fully
anonymized data.
The second wave, of health personalization, needs identified data, in this case, the bases
…see
andmore
us…

3 Data Integration

3 of 7 2/8/2024, 4:34 PM
How to Overcome Informatics Challenges in Healthcare https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/what-challenges-using-informatics-...

A third challenge of using informatics to improve healthcare outcomes is integrating the data
from different sources, systems, and platforms. Data integration refers to the process of
combining and harmonizing data from disparate sources to create a unified and comprehensive
view of the data. Data integration is essential for healthcare informatics, as it enables the analysis
of data across different dimensions, such as clinical, administrative, financial, and social. To
achieve data integration, healthcare organizations need to use interoperable standards and
formats, such as the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR). They also need to use data
integration tools and techniques, such as data warehouses, data lakes, and data pipelines.

Add your perspective

Olga Kochar
Division Director, Laboratory and Transfusion Services at The George Washington University Hospital

I believe we need to continue to focus on the ability of different systems to talk to each other.
There had to be a universal standard and it is possible that it will take a regulatory standard to
get us there. At the moment, especially in the Laboratory Medicine, each vendor mostly wants to
connect to “their own” devices and not thinking of the patient, who will suffer because of such
incompatibilities. …see more

4 Data Analysis
A fourth challenge of using informatics to improve healthcare outcomes is analyzing the data to
generate meaningful and actionable insights. Data analysis refers to the process of applying
statistical, computational, and visual methods to explore, interpret, and communicate the data.
Data analysis is crucial for healthcare informatics, as it enables the discovery of patterns, trends,
and associations that can inform and improve care delivery and outcomes. To perform data
analysis, healthcare organizations need to use appropriate data analysis tools and techniques,
such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data visualization. They also need to use data
analysis frameworks and models, such as the Healthcare Analytics Adoption Model (HAAM).

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4 of 7 2/8/2024, 4:34 PM
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5 Data Utilization
A fifth challenge of using informatics to improve healthcare outcomes is utilizing the data to
support decision-making and action. Data utilization refers to the process of applying the insights
derived from data analysis to inform and improve practice, policy, and research. Data utilization is
the ultimate goal of healthcare informatics, as it enables the transformation of data into
knowledge and wisdom that can enhance the quality, safety, and efficiency of care delivery and
outcomes. To achieve data utilization, healthcare organizations need to use data utilization tools
and techniques, such as dashboards, alerts, and feedback. They also need to use data utilization
strategies and models, such as the Data-to-Action Framework (D2A).

Add your perspective

6 Data Governance
A sixth challenge of using informatics to improve healthcare outcomes is governing the data
throughout its lifecycle. Data governance refers to the set of rules, roles, and responsibilities that
define and regulate how data is collected, processed, analyzed, utilized, and disposed. Data
governance is vital for healthcare informatics, as it ensures the alignment of data with the
organization's vision, mission, values, and goals. To implement data governance, healthcare
organizations need to use data governance tools and techniques, such as data governance
committees, data stewards, and data audits. They also need to use data governance frameworks
and models, such as the Data Governance Framework (DGF).

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous
sections. What else would you like to add?

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5 of 7 2/8/2024, 4:34 PM
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Olga Kochar
Division Director, Laboratory and Transfusion Services at The George Washington University Hospital

I think there is also a common opinion that AI and overall computerized protocols may decrease
the ability of clinician to care for their patients effectively. When we rely so heavily on the IT
solutions, they can certainly help with efficiency and patient safety. But on another hand, they
also may decrease the desire, or over a period of time even ability, of individual clinicians to think
independently and to evaluate patients focusing on subtle symptoms and changes, which …seenon-
more
…

· 3

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