Real-life examples of healthcare organizations using big data for good

FierceHealth IT referenced an article in CIO magazine that highlights ways organizations can realize the power of big data.

Some of the real-life examples they highlighted are:

• Partners Healthcare system in Boston, connects its financial, operational, and clinical documentation system using a “Queriable Patient Inference Dossier.” It enables real-time queries, analytics, and reports at the time of care.
• Intermountain Healthcare is mining its 90 million+ patient records for outcomes analysis.
• Researchers from Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center and the analytics firm Farsite reduced readmissions by analyzing habits of heart patients and setting up systems to improve their continued

New Johns Hopkins study illustrates an increased efficiency as result of EHRs

Results from a recent Johns Hopkins study reveal the impact of electronic health applications on the future of physician services. The study suggests that when EHRs and other systems are fully implemented doctors will meet the demands of about 4 to 9 percent more patients. This is a result of increased efficiency and implies that a physician shortage will not be as detrimental as many think.

Being “compliant” is no longer sufficient for data security

Threats to data security are increasing and maintaining a “compliance” mindset is no longer a sufficient approach to protecting PHI, according to a Healthcare Informatics article. The article discusses a recommended approach to data security and suggests creating a mindset of security instead of approaching it from a compliance standpoint, where the provider is simply trying to follow a checklist of requirements. Healthcare Informatics goes on to provide some solutions for increasing security organization-wide.

An improved understanding of the benefits of ICD-10 may motivate providers

There has been an emphasis on payment with regards to ICD-10. This has overshadowed the real impact of ICD-10, which is improved data. An EHR Intelligence piece makes the case for a shift in how providers view the new code set. Without quality data, healthcare organizations and providers cannot advance the way they delivery. If data is not improved, the patient population may feel that impact. It’s implied in the article that an improved understanding of the power of ICD-10 data might motivate healthcare organizations in their transition.