Define the term 'data governance' in health information management.

Data governance in health information management refers to the framework established to manage critical data aspects within health systems, such as data availability, usability, integrity, and security. This framework ensures that health data is accurate, accessible to authorized users, complies with regulations, and is protected against unauthorized access or data breaches.

The effective governance of data promotes high-quality data management practices, which are essential for making informed healthcare decisions, ensuring patient safety, and improving overall health outcomes. A well-structured data governance program includes defining roles and responsibilities, establishing data stewardship, developing policies and procedures, and implementing tools and processes for monitoring compliance.

In contrast, the other options present narrower concepts. For instance, algorithms are more about technical processes and do not encompass the broader strategic and regulatory oversight that data governance provides. Policies for patient data sharing focus solely on the sharing aspect, not on the comprehensive management of data integrity, availability, and security that governance entails. Similarly, the hiring process for data management staff is an operational task that does not constitute the structural framework essential to data governance itself.