ICORP GROUP · INSIGHTS
Digital & AI in HA Standards 6th Edition: Hospital Governance Planning
HA Standards 6th Edition reflects the direction that Digital and AI are not allowed to play a role in the quality of health services. The important thing is that hospitals should not consider AI as just an optimization tool but should be considered as a system that requires governance, risk management and proper tracking results.
Starting from Use Case Not Starting from Technology
Before the new system comes into use, it should be answered what problem is to solve. Who is the user, what the expected results are and if the system is wrong, who will be affected. Starting from Use Case allows the organization to evaluate both Benefit and Risk more clearly, starting from the ability of technology alone.
Data Quality is the basis
AI and Digital Workflow depend on the quality of data. If the data is incomplete, not standard or is entered differently between agencies, the system results may be unreliable. The hospital should therefore have data owners, identify data and how to verify the quality of the important data.
Clinical Responsibility
Technology may help to guide, filt or summarize data, but it should be determined who the final decision is and which situations users need to review or override the system. A clear accounting setting reduces the risk of system separation without asking questions.
Change Management is Key enough with the system
A well-designed system may fail if the user does not understand the new Workflow, training, communication, receiving feedback and tracking real post-use problems. So it should be placed as part of the project from the beginning.
Cybersecurity and Downtime should be taken together.
As the digital service is increasing, the risk of system-injury, unaccess or data is attacked, it is increasing. The hospital should have both Preventive Control and Downtime Process that allow patient care to run when the main system is not available.
What should the manager do?
- Who approves the use of AI or Digital Tool in key processes?
- Is there a way to assess Clinical Risk and Data Risk before Application?
- The system results are traced with what indicators.
- Do users know the system limits?
- Is there a plan when the system is disabled or unfunctional?
A good approach is to make Digital and AI part of the Quality Management System, not IT projects, apart from quality agencies and Clinical Governance.
Note: This article referred to the directions that HAI announced on HA Standards 6th Edition and is an administrative extension. It is not used to replace the official requirements or guidelines.