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Leading healthcare organizations that have implemented IG programs share some common characteristics:

• Value information as an asset – understand the value and risks of information and strive to link information value to organizational objectives;
• Collaborative culture – recognize that interdisciplinary cooperation is key, and that clinical and business process owners must have strong support from IT, Legal, HIM/RIM, privacy/security;
• Strong executive sponsorship – executives understand the linkage between quality information and quality patient care, and understand that minimizing information risks protects patient trust, brand equity, and shareholder value;
• Operational efficiency focus – organizational competence in policy-making, business process design, and process improvement;
• Continuous improvement ethos – a cultural commitment to be a learning organization where continual improvement is valued and reinforced.

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