What is the intent of health data integrity?

The intent of health data integrity is centered around maintaining the accuracy and reliability of health information. This is crucial because high-quality health data ensures that medical professionals can make informed decisions regarding patient care, treatment plans, and outcomes. When health data is accurate and reliable, it helps to promote safe and effective patient interactions and fosters trust between patients and healthcare providers.

Inaccurate or unreliable data can lead to misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatments, and ultimately, compromised patient safety. Therefore, the core focus of health data integrity is on ensuring that the information collected, stored, and shared across healthcare systems reflects true and correct patient health statuses and histories, which is essential for effective healthcare delivery and operational efficiencies.

While other options may reflect important aspects of the healthcare ecosystem—such as sharing health records, improving access to care, or protecting against billing fraud—none directly address the fundamental goal of ensuring the integrity of health data itself, which is critical for achieving quality care and patient safety.