HIQA launches online learning module to promote high-quality data in health and social care services

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today launched an updated online learning module on data quality for all staff working in health and social care services and organisations.

The module, on an Introduction to Data Quality, is the first part of an online learning course on how to improve data quality for health and social care services.

The module highlights the importance of high-quality data and explains how everyone working in health and social care has a role to play in driving improvements in the quality of data in their service.

It also emphasises how data can impact the quality and safety of care of people who use health and social care services, and as such good quality, data must be assured.

Rachel Flynn, HIQA’s Director of Health Information and Standards, said: “High-quality data is the cornerstone of good planning and decision-making in health and social care services and is something that all those who work in these areas can contribute to in their day-to-day work.

“HIQA has developed this online learning course to help improve knowledge and skills among people working in health and social care services and to support them to improve the quality of data in their service.

“We hope that these online learning modules will assist staff and organisations to produce accurate, relevant and timely data which in turn will drive improvements in decision-making, disease monitoring, service planning, policy-making, research, and planning for future health and social care needs, both at local and national level.”

The second module in this course is on Developing a data quality framework and will be launched in the coming weeks.

HIQA has also developed a video animation about the importance of high-quality data in health and social care services.

The module and the animation are available online here under Data Quality tab.