17 Sep HIT Consultant: Why Clean Data Is the Foundation for AI in Healthcare

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to dominate headlines as a transformative force in healthcare. From predicting patient deterioration to streamlining prior authorizations, the potential is undeniable. Yet for many organizations, AI pilots stall before they deliver real value.

This is because the data fueling AI is often fragmented, inconsistent, or incomplete.

In his recent guest article for HIT Consultant, Mark Coetzer, VP of Business Development at IMAT Solutions, explains why the real key to unlocking AI’s potential lies in building a clean, connected, and intelligence-ready data foundation.

The Data Dilemma Behind AI Disappointment

Healthcare generates enormous amounts of information across EHRs, labs, imaging, claims, and unstructured notes. But without integration, normalization, and validation, that data cannot effectively power AI. As Mark highlights, even the most sophisticated algorithms are only as strong as the inputs they rely on. Flawed data leads to flawed outcomes.

The Path to AI-Ready Data

Mark’s article emphasizes that success with AI begins with five core data practices:

• Multi-source integration across EHRs, labs, claims, and unstructured notes.
• Automated normalization and enrichment to ensure consistency and completeness.
• Human oversight to validate accuracy and compliance.
• Strong governance and security to meet HIPAA, HITRUST, and other standards.
• Real-time orchestration that makes insights actionable within workflows.

Together, these steps create a reliable foundation that allows AI to scale beyond pilots into daily use across healthcare operations.

How IMAT Supports the Shift

At IMAT, we have long recognized that AI success depends on data that is clean, current, and complete. Our IMAT Intelligence platform helps organizations unify disparate sources, apply automated normalization and enrichment, and deliver insights into real-time workflows. This is how we help care systems create AI-ready data that truly drives better decisions, proactive interventions, and improved patient outcomes.

Read the Full Article
To dive deeper into why clean data creates real impact, read Mark’s full guest article in HIT Consultant: Clean Data, Real Impact: Why Healthcare Needs a Better Data Foundation for AI.