Transforming information: data management support of health care reorganization

Health care delivery systems and organizations around the world are undergoing reorganization and reengineering. Rational decision making about such activities must be based on information. Much of the presently available data is inadequate for this task, and therefore needs to be transformed. One such experience in the province of Alberta, Canada, is discussed. The development of a comprehensive information strategy, the need to apply information management principles, the organizational implications of information management, and a conceptual model for achieving added value from health data are described.