People

Objective

To ensure data quality training is available and mandated for all staff covering each individual role’s responsibilities in the capture, accuracy, completeness and maintenance of data in line with the organisation’s Data Quality Policy and incidents reporting procedures.

Benefits

Regular training and educational activities around data quality helps to embed the practice into everyday activities. This highlights the importance that data quality plays in the delivery of care and related administrative tasks. Conformity of data quality across the organisation ensures better flow of patient care, reducing risks and swifter decision making. Training also adds an understanding of data quality and the reason for it along the pathway of care, thereby contributing to better outcomes in both the short and long term.

Best practice

All staff should receive appropriate data quality training and awareness to ensure understanding of the importance of collecting and recording complete and accurate information in minimising risks to service users and the organisation itself. The use of examples and scenarios may be particularly useful in ensuring a basic level of competence has been achieved before access to the systems is allowed.

Staff assigned to roles that require predominant data input activities i.e. clinical coding, discharge and admissions should have regular feedback. Some staff within the organisation may be required to have higher levels of data quality competence to carry out their duties. Where this is the case, appropriate additional training should be provided according to job roles, level of access to person identifiable information and responsibilities for processing and managing records.