Oversight

Objective

To ensure that data quality has its own forum to implement the strategy, define policy, promote and support the adoption of best practice, monitor compliance, identify emerging patterns in data quality related incidents in order to inform training and influence staff behaviour.

Benefit

Having a dedicated group within the organisation’s governance structure to define and oversee the implementation of the Data Quality Strategy and associated Data Quality Policies provides the focus to set and drive the data quality agenda.

Best Practice

To support the Data Quality Strategy and Policy (or in some instances to create the policy in the first instance) there should be a formal group established to review and monitor compliance with the policy.  This may take the form of a Data Quality Steering Group or a sub-group within the established IT governance structure such as an Information Governance Group. The group should have in place a formal Terms of Reference that sets out its responsibilities and place within the overall governance structure.  Responsibilities should include the establishment and maintenance of the Data Quality Policy, oversight of staff training and review of data quality related incidents. Membership should be taken from across clinical, operational and administrative functions and include staff with the expertise and authority to drive the organisation’s data quality agenda.

The Data Quality Policy can be a standalone document or part of a wider IT governance policy.  The policy should also be referenced from other related polices such as that for Information Governance or Health Records Management. The policy should detail data quality related responsibilities and expected behaviours of all staff directly involved in the collection and input of clinical and non-clinical data.