Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

What type of controls ensure information processing is complete and correct?

1. Input controls

2. Output controls

3. Procedural controls

4. Storage controls

The correct answer is: Output controls

Output controls are critical in ensuring that the information that has been processed is both complete and correct. These controls are implemented to verify the accuracy and integrity of the results produced after data has been processed. They often include techniques such as reconciliation, where the output is compared against expected results, and automated checks that validate the correctness of the data that is produced. In the context of health information management, output controls play a significant role. For example, after patient data has been processed to generate reports or summary statistics, output controls would ensure that the final outputs align with the original data inputs and any relevant standards or regulations. This is essential for maintaining data integrity, supporting clinical decisions, and ensuring compliance with health regulations. While input controls, procedural controls, and storage controls have their distinct functions in the overall information management system, they do not specifically ensure the completeness and correctness of processed information in the way that output controls do. Input controls focus on the accuracy of data entered into the system, procedural controls govern the processes by which data is handled, and storage controls are concerned with the security and integrity of data stored in databases.