Competency B

Evaluate, manage, and develop electronic records programs and applications in a specific organizational setting. 

Introduction

Every organization must have a Digital Asset Management (DAM) program and Records Information Management (RIM) system in place to protect confidentiality, establish an efficient and consistent organizational framework, and realize the total value of its assets. In today's digital age, increased security, accessibility, and control of digital records are paramount. Understanding the importance of electronic records and digital assets is foundational to any organization, especially in healthcare and in the field of informatics overall.  Health records management (HRM) and Records Information management (RIM)  are vital aspects of healthcare services that ensure patient health information is created, stored, accessed, and disposed of in accordance with established principles and regulations, strengthening the privacy, accuracy, and completeness of health data.  Moreover, INFM 207 professor John Horodyski notes ever-increasing data, stating that "Data will only continue to grow," emphasizing the essential need for a robust DAM system in any organization (Horodyski, 2016). 

In the context of digital strategy and records, the importance of DAM is a top priority, and any content created and owned by an organization can potentially transform a business.  While participating in INFM 206, I learned and researched the importance of an effective data and electronic records management program within the major healthcare organization, Sinai Chicago. I also analyzed, developed, and promoted the organization's comprehensive data governance and management program, as shown in the evidence presented below. Data and electronic records management are essential skills that I believe will only increase in importance as data and knowledge expand simultaneously.

Conversely, ineffective practices and applications of DAM and HRM can hinder security, reduce productivity, and lead to poor organizational decision-making. Effectively harnessing their power is a huge asset for any company through compelling data use and effective records management. Within the healthcare sector, patient outcomes heavily depend on the quality of data and electronic health records (EHR). Understanding the foundational components - accuracy, completeness, timeliness, consistency, validity, and integrity -  that make up a robust and effective ERM program is one of the highest priorities for Informatics professionals (LakeFS, 2024). 

My professional background in taxonomy development and portrait photography inspired me to create an image-based Digital Asset management system (DAM). I demonstrated the steps needed to generate and refine a valuable DAM for stock photography during the INFM 207 Digital Assets Management course. Taxonomy development is critical in search engine software components. By diving deeper into the need for high-quality metadata and controlled vocabularies in the DAM, this analysis of how computers and people interact and work together lays the groundwork for a successful system. The DAM for my fictitious stock photography, ‘DAM Good Images,’ provides a solid overview of understanding the user, standardizing workflows, and illustrating how metadata is crucial to a robust and accessible digital collection. The following fundamental steps to building a DAM remain the same, whether for images, audio, or any other electronic record: the user’s needs must be researched and known; the DAM provides structure and standardization of assets to increase productivity, security, and usability; an archival policy implemented; and the DAM needs to evolve with changing technology and needs. My evidence demonstrates the procedures necessary for creating a modern DAM, along with a recommendation for a suitable image-based DAM that addresses specific security and access requirements. 

I have chosen my final presentation and discussion posts from INFM 206 as evidence to demonstrate my proficiency in this area. My selected organization, Sinai Chicago, is the focus of the presentation, which aims to educate on implementing a comprehensive data management and governance program. Electronic records management (ERM) and data governance are crucial aspects of informatics in the healthcare sector. Understanding the legal considerations is essential for implementing and maintaining effective health records management systems that prioritize patient privacy, data security, and high-quality data delivery. Furthermore, my discussion posts underscore the significance of data and records management in the healthcare industry, explaining how to successfully deploy a system to improve workflow, data integrity, standardization, security, compliance, and interoperability. ERM provides the foundational framework for practical healthcare informatics by securely and efficiently managing electronic health records, empowering healthcare professionals, facilitating data-driven decision-making, and enhancing the quality of care.