Western Governors University (WGU) HIM2104 C810 Foundations in Healthcare Data Management Practice Exam

The principle of data stewardship exemplified when a format check ensures the data field for "Present on Admission" is completed is establishing controls. Establishing controls involves implementing measures to ensure the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data as it is entered and maintained within a system. In this case, a format check acts as a control mechanism that verifies whether the required data entry for the "Present on Admission" field is completed correctly. This ensures that only valid and complete data is recorded, which is crucial for patient care, billing, and reporting.

Effective controls also mitigate the risk of errors and improve overall data integrity, which is fundamental in healthcare settings where accurate data can impact clinical decisions and organizational compliance with regulations. Therefore, in this context, the choice of establishing controls accurately reflects the function of the format check in maintaining high standards of data stewardship.