Data matters

Data underlie all service development and quality improvement initiatives in healthcare. This article describes the myriad potential benefits for improving current disjointed data systems through the creation of truly comprehensive electronic records. These will allow both real-time recording of the patient–doctor interaction and the ongoing process of care, as well as compatibility across healthcare settings and international boundaries.An important step is to implement a common clinical terminology to allow capture and sharing of clinical information with sufficient precision. SNOMED CT is the only system currently available with the potential to be healthcare data's universal language. As with all data systems, the technology infrastructure is simply a means to improve health information delivery for clinicians, commissioners and policymakers. Its ultimate value to patients will depend on how healthcare professionals collect and use the information. It is a professional responsibility to ensure accurate and timely data collection through a thorough knowledge of health informatics as it applies at the doctor–patient interface.