Imagine a hospital with a strict policy on patient data. They have a system to ensure all patient information is secure, only accessible by authorized personnel, and properly documented. This includes clear guidelines on who can access the data, what kind of access they have, and how long the data should be retained. This entire framework is an example of information governance.
Here are some key aspects of information governance in action:
- Data Retention Policy: The hospital might have a policy stating patient records must be kept for 10 years after the last visit.
- Access Control: Only authorized healthcare professionals can access patient data, and each user has different levels of access based on their role.
- Data Security Measures: The hospital uses encryption and strong passwords to protect patient information from unauthorized access.
- Compliance with Regulations: The hospital ensures its data practices comply with HIPAA regulations to safeguard patient privacy.
This example shows how information governance structures and controls data to achieve specific goals, such as privacy, security, and compliance.
