The Joint Commission recognizes Inova as the first in the nation to achieve Responsible Use of Health Data Certification

To commemorate this achievement, the two organizations hosted a discussion with thought leaders and policymakers on protecting patient data privacy

(OAKBROOK TERRACE, Illinois and FAIRFAX, Virginia, December 2, 2024) – Inova has become the first in the nation to achieve The Joint Commission’s Responsible Use of Health Data™ (RUHD) Certification – a groundbreaking new recognition for the responsible use of secondary data or data used for purposes beyond clinical care.

Developed using a framework established by the Health Evolution Forum’s convening group, RUHD is a voluntary certification, available to hospitals and health systems. The certification process provides guidance and guardrails to assist and help protect healthcare organizations navigating the complexities and risks of the secondary use of patient data.

RUHD Certification provides a framework for organizations to use and transfer patient data in ways that protect patient privacy, promote transparency and safeguard against misuse. It validates that robust policies and procedures are in place to help protect, govern and accountably use secondary data necessary for learning, safety, quality and operations improvement.

To achieve RUHD Certification, Inova demonstrated strong stewardship capabilities over health data, including:

• de-identification of health data
• access and security controls
• defining and authorizing permitted use of data
• validating the safety, effectiveness, privacy and fairness of algorithms
• providing transparency in data uses for patients
• establishing robust governance structures to oversee compliance with regulations

“Certification strengthens trust with our patients who can be confident that Inova has appropriate safeguards on the responsible use of health data, while providing data-driven insights to doctors and nurses so we can continue to provide world-class care to the communities we serve,” said Matt Kull, Chief Information and Digital Strategy Officer for Inova.

In recognition of this achievement, the two organizations hosted a discussion on Dec. 2 at the Inova Center for Personalized Health with thought leaders and policymakers, including Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) on the critical importance of protecting patient data privacy in today’s healthcare landscape.

“We are honored to be the first health system in the nation to achieve The Joint Commission’s Responsible Use of Health Data Certification,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, FACS, President and CEO of Inova. “As healthcare evolves, protecting patient privacy and using patient data responsibly is essential to improving care, driving innovation, and maintaining the trust of the communities we serve. This certification affirms our commitment to setting the standard for ethical data practices in healthcare.”

“The responsible use of secondary data for learning and improving care provides a foundation for the responsible use of artificial intelligence, which will allow unprecedented advances in patient safety and quality of care for all,” says Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD, president and chief executive officer, The Joint Commission and Joint Commission International. “We commend Inova for achieving The Joint Commission’s Responsible Use of Health Data Certification to use its healthcare data for the greater good.”

To learn more about RUHD Certification, visit https://www.jointcommission.org/our-priorities/responsible-use-of-health-data/.

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About The Joint Commission

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve healthcare for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating healthcare organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 23,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

About Inova                                                                

We are Inova, Northern Virginia and the Washington, DC, metropolitan area’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. With expertise and compassion, we partner with our patients to help them stay healthy. We treat illness, heal injury and look at a patient’s whole health to help them flourish. Through our expansive network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, and outpatient services, Inova provides care for more than 1 million unique patients every year. Total patient visits exceed 4 million annually, demonstrating our ability to deliver the best clinical care and ensuring a seamless experience for all who rely on us for their healthcare needs. Consistently ranked and recognized as a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience, Inova’s world-class care is made possible by the strength and breadth of our network, our 24,000 team members, our technology and our innovation. Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and– regardless of ability to pay – every day of their life. More information about Inova can be found at Inova.org.

Media Contacts

Maureen Lyons
The Joint Commission
(630) 792-5171
press@jointcommission.org

Tracy Connell
Inova
(703) 674-9357
Tracy.connell@inova.org