METADATA IS THE foundation on which information management systems are built. It is required to support the various uses of data, to manage the information and record lifecycle, to verify data integrity, authenticity, and reliability, and to evaluate the relative importance of data and information for each contemplated use. Without metadata, information cannot be utilized effectively. Metadata provides the context for the information. Because of this, organizations must determine when and how metadata is preserved and retained, and whether or not it is a part of the official health record. Defining Metadata One definition commonly applied to the concept of metadata is the simple phrase "data about data." This simplistic definition, however, belies the significance and complexity of the nature of metadata.
展开▼
