What does the term "data normalization" refer to in health data management?

Data normalization in health data management refers to the process of organizing data to reduce redundancy and improve integrity. This involves structuring the data in a way that minimizes duplication and ensures that data relationships are clear and logical. By organizing data into tables and establishing appropriate relationships between those tables, normalization helps maintain data accuracy and consistency across the healthcare system.

This practice is crucial for ensuring that health records are reliable and can be efficiently accessed and utilized. It facilitates better data management practices, enhances query performance, and supports data analysis, which is essential in making informed healthcare decisions.

Normalization also assists in reducing anomalies that can occur during data operations, thereby preserving the overall quality of health data. This is particularly important in healthcare settings, where data reliability directly impacts patient care and administrative processes.