Eight tips for adopting data analytics in healthcare
Healthcare organizations across the country are increasingly applying data science to drive better patient care and outcomes, improved efficiency, and margin improvement. Lisa Miller, the CEO of VIE Healthcare Consulting, shares eight tips for healthcare leaders who are considering adopting data analytics.
1) Measure: At VIE Healthcare Consulting, we work on the principle of “what can be measured can be improved.” Olympians and elite athletes consistently measure their performances to ensure they perform at their highest level. Any healthcare institution should follow this example.
2) Ask for and capture the right data: A recent survey found that only 12% of healthcare organizations are effectively using big data to reduce costs and improve healthcare quality. Eliminate unnecessary or lower-impact data and focus on what is important, ensuring that the right data is available to make informed decisions.
3) Ensure data accuracy: Validate sources by “measuring small” and then expanding the focus. You will be surprised at what you see or, more importantly, what you don’t see.
4) Invest in data knowledge: Hospital staff are often asked to accomplish more with fewer tools available to help them achieve their goals. Educational workshops not only enhance your team’s performance but strengthen morale and can boost employee retention and engagement.
5) Coach employees: Technology is evolving at an increasingly rapid pace. Even your most skilled employees need help to analyze and understand the vast amounts of data generated on a daily basis. Ensure your employees understand what the data means, how it affects your organization and how to draw actionable insights from that data.
6) Evaluate the data infrastructure: Make sure that the systems used to capture, store and analyze data are up to the challenge, and integrated effectively. Answering these questions is critical to the success of data governance and management.
7) Eliminate manual data entry: How much of your current process relies on manual or paper-based systems? Research suggests that nearly 90% of spreadsheets contain errors. Over-reliance on a manual process increases the chance of human error or inaccurate data.
8) Push for real-time data: You must be able to see trends on a monthly basis, rather than relying on historical data which can be 12 months old in many cases. This will reveal opportunities for significant savings for your organization.
