Improve Decision Making in Healthcare Industry

Question: Discuss about the Improve Decision Making in Healthcare Industry. Answer: Introduction In most of the business organizations, it is commonly analyzed that 5% of data is of poor quality and the average perceived cost of poor data quality is as high as 10% of organizations revenue. Therefore, poor quality of data is one of the main reasons for bad decision making in case of healthcare industry or in other industry. The main focus of this report is on improvement of decision making in healthcare industry, firstly we will discuss about poor quality of data that is used in this industry for making critical decisions and its impacts. According to analysis, lack of data quality in healthcare sector has a far-reaching effects. Whole planning process and delivery of services are mostly rely upon data that is collected from sources such as clinical, administrative and management (Guindo L, Wagner M, Baltussen, 2016). The higher quality of data will result in better outcome from patients. The quality of data should be with regard to timeliness and accuracy, because this data is u sed for administrative purposes such as cost management and for making other essential decisions. There are various difficulties exist in data requirements and decisions making and this results in complex and demanding relationships. Information systems also play an important role in data quality and in health sector information system is used as information-driven service (Cai LZhu Y, 2016). Most of the hospital records are stored into databases and in other electronic repositories. These repositories are easy to access, reliable and secured which is very much necessary to make quick decisions about well-being of patients, the wider population and for the management of healthcare organizations. In this way, a proper management or quality of data provide positive effects on decision making process and reduce level of uncertainty and it will become easy to get more timely and accurate decision outcomes (Huitfeldt BMiddleton M, 2001). Background Study According to background study about improvement in decision making in healthcare industry, in earlier days, this was not so much concerning matter for healthcare organizations and most of the healthcare decisions are taken on the behalf of this poor quality information and that is why there was lack of effectiveness and accuracy was found. But today, various efforts are done to obtain high quality information that can be used further for decision making. Problem Statement Now the main problem is that how improvement can be done in decision making in healthcare organization. This is main concerning topic of this report to discuss. Study Objectives The main objectives of this whole study is to find out ways that can help to improve decision making in healthcare industry and to aware people that how an accurate and good quality information can be collected from different sources. Besides this, it is also essential to discuss that how advanced technologies will be helpful in this process of improvement. Scope of Study The research about improvement process of decision making in healthcare industry describes importance of accurate and high quality data for business industries which shows broad scope of this study. Justification/Importance of Research Study The study about improvement in decision making in healthcare industry will help staff members of hospital and healthcare institution to make right decisions on the behalf of right information that has taken from different sources of information. This will help to control conflicts that can occur due to wrong decisions. Research Questions and/or Hypothesis According to research about improvement in decision making in healthcare industry, we got to know that hypothesis of this study are reframing the problem, rebrand the solution, reshape the doctor-patient relationship and need to tools that can inform patients about evidence and outcomes and those can inform doctors about patients desires. Literature Review As we have discussed in above segment of this report about lack of data quality in healthcare sector and how it is affecting. After this discussion, it is resulted that improvement is required in decision making in healthcare sector and use of latest techniques such as Information management systems and other ways to maintain quality of data will be helpful in this process of improvement (Ortiz D, 2016). One thing is cleared after analysis about decision making in healthcare organization that appropriate collection of data from good sources, its maintenance long term maintenance and on-time availability of data are important ways to improve decision making in healthcare industry, otherwise, both patients and healthcare organizations will be in loss due to improper treatment of patients and lack of accurate records (Ballou DPazer H, 2016). Now in this segment, we would emphasize on reviews of researchers that have analyzed healthcare organizations for their improper decision making pr ocess and asked for improvement. According to reviews of literature, in healthcare industry, data throws light on aspects such as requirements of patient, trends of disease, and outcomes of treatment and high risks of individuals. So if there is any deficiency is found in quality of data then it is necessary to improve that deficiency (Farner S, 2016). Here are some important aspects that are required to consider in improvement of healthcare delivery (Chu Y, Yang S, Yang C, 2001). Provide Proper Staff Training Standardization of Collection of Data Use of Electronic Health Records Use of Patient Registries Patients Feedback Provide Proper Staff Training For maintaining quality of data in healthcare organizations, it is better to train staff for collecting and utilizing data. Staff members should have alternatives to collect and maintain information of patients if they are not able contact them face to face. Telephonic conversation and availability of patients records in hospitals online databases are better options. Besides this, staff members must also have good communication skills to interact with patients and others. Standardization of Collection of Data This is another essential factor that can be used to improve quality of data. The standardization consists of some essential points that are listed as below: Information should be collected directly from patient. No assumption should be there. Upon admission of any patient into hospital, it is necessary to ensure that collected information about that patient is relevant or not. And that information should be used when treatment of patient will start. The storage of data should be in standardized format. If patient has any concern with his/her information then that concern must be considered rather than ignored. Use of Electronic Health Record Electronic health record is documentation of individuals health information that is stored electronically and this electronic information is used for clinical care settings. These records are basically used to improve the quality of care both in hospitals and clinics. Following information must be included in electronic health records: Patients information that is stored in electronic health record should be up-to-date and accurate because it is used as history of patient. This a comprehensive view of patients data and it is a better way to make future decisions regarding treatment of a patient. If information will be in accurate and organized form about patient then it is easier for doctors to provide them better treatment and it will also increase chances of quick improvements in patient. If important information will be available in an accurate and appropriate format then it will also begin easy to diagnose actual problem of patients and better treatment can be provided to them accordingly. Electronic Health Records provide a comprehensive view about patients and their problems. In enhancement of patients safety is also possible with the help of electronic health records. It can be achieved by detecting dangerous drug interactions, verifying the medications and dosages. Problem and alerts for doctors are automatically checked by EHRs. Use of Patient Registries Patient registries are commonly used to capture clinical data that is based on physicians or patients. This data is collected from various important sources and these sources are required to meet with healthcare needs. These important sources are listed as below: Proper tracking of patients those are suffering with certain chronic disease conditions and its proactive management allows staff of hospitals to collect information. Demographic details are also considered a good source of information. On the behalf of demographic details prevention services can be provided to patients in case of certain risky health conditions. A well-organized registries of patients facilitate regular communication with patient and also provide help for better treatment of patients. Patients Feedback Data surveys is another effective source of information which is directly based on feedback of people. In case of healthcare industry, data can also be collected from patients feedback and can be easily used for decision making. Data survey includes patients experience survey, population survey, and forums of patients, focus groups and personnel interviews and this information provides help to observe health status, needs and outcomes of care plan. With the help of this collected information it will become easy to implement strategies that are required to overcome the major concerns of patients and improve healthcare delivery. According to researchers, these above listed steps will help healthcare organizations to improve their decision making process and it will be helpful for successive growth of healthcare organizations. Research Methodology and Design Different research methodologies and design are used by researchers and most commonly used research methodologies are qualitative and quantitative. In qualitative research methodologies, detailed research is done on a particular topic and less statistical figures are used in this research. On other side, in quantitative research, statistical information is highly used as evidence. This study about improvement of decision making in healthcare industry is qualitative approach and here we have discussed some important facts about this concept in detail. If we talk about design or framework of this research then we would like to discuss about data quality framework which is a tool for evaluating quality of data within an organization (Aronsky D, 2016). This type of framework evaluates areas where processes are of poor quality and due to inefficiencies performance of organization is reducing. Following are some activities that are included in development research design of data quality (M oskowitz H, 2016). Applicability of dimensions of data quality, characteristics and criteria that are required for evaluation of collection, are required to use (Aladwani APalvia P, 2016). Appropriate language should be selected for framework. Time length should be decided to complete evaluation of framework. Through this qualitative research methodology we have also found data quality dimensions that must be considered to enhance quality of data as whole, so that critical decision making can be done. These dimensions consists of accuracy, relevancy, timelines, usability, security and privacy. If healthcare and business organizations will follow these dimensions of data quality then it will become easy to make critical decisions without issues (Kogure M, 1992). Results and Discussions On the behalf of increasing demand of data quality in different corporations, it has become essential to make decision of improvement of quality of data. Above discussed solutions are latest and increase chances of quick improvement. Data quality frameworks and strategic approaches significantly contribute in overall data quality management and improvement programs (Chengalur-Smith I, Ballou D, Pazer H, 1999). Besides this, contextual metadata will improve the intelligence density of improvement of data quality. Advanced information management systems and artificial intelligence software and TDQM programs are helpful approaches for healthcare organizations to improve its data quality process. On the behalf of above research, it is also observed that there is lack of awareness in users regarding usage of data for handling various business activities (O'Leary D, 1991). This approach of data quality improvement is helpful for both large and small business organizations and management of these organizations must concentrate on this approach. It is also discussed among researchers that strategic approach of data quality improvement can derive and impose standards that will help to facilitate data and information transfer securely. Besides this, identification and disseminate are also best practices to reduce the development time that is required for improvement of data quality. In strategic approach of data quality, accountabilities of users and mechanism that must be followed by them, are discussed. Therefore, strategic approach, frameworks and tools can provide better outcomes for improving data quality (Dowling D, 2016). Conclusion and Recommendations After this whole discussion, we can say that for healthcare industry, data quality should be first priority and they should follow above discussed tools and techniques to achieve goal of quality of data. It is right to say that organized form of data is used at workplaces, but still some deficiencies are found. Therefore improvement has become important. There are some recommendations regarding improvement of data quality (Shah N, Irani Z, Sharif A, 2016): Healthcare organizations should be update their management of data and their decision making. This can be done by taking feedback of people who are directly impacted with these processes. Latest tools and techniques that will help to improve decision making should be used by data users and this report contains information about these tools and techniques. The management of healthcare organizations is highly responsible for any right or wrong decision making and they should admit this thing and if any issue occur in their decisions then they should support improvements. The policies of healthcare organizations regarding process of collecting and management of data should be strict and must be followed by staff members. These policies must be regarding maintenance of quality of data that is required for decision making. It is necessary for healthcare staff members to be update about new techniques that can be used for collecting accurate data from different sources. References Guindo L, Wagner M, Baltussen R, Rindress D, van Til J, Kind P et al. From efficacy to equity: Literature review of decision criteria for resource allocation and healthcare decisionmaking. 2016. Improving healthcare delivery with data- A literature review - Transforming Healthcare with IT [Internet]. Transforming Healthcare with IT. 2016 [cited 25 November 2016]. 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