Week 7: Research Paper

(Week 7: Research Paper)

Introduction

Big data includes large volumes of information generated through digital technologies that collect patient data to help manage and improve hospital performance. Technologies and tools used to collect patient records include patient portals, research studies, electronic health records, wearable devices, generic databases, and search engines. Big data is applied in healthcare to enhance patient predictions, medical imaging, real-time alerting, predictive analytics, telemedicine, personnel management, risk and disease management, prescription process, and prevent human error. The application of big data in healthcare depends on recognizing patterns and transforming large volumes of information into actionable and meaningful knowledge to help make correct decisions. Big data facilitates solutions to improve patient care and generate value in the healthcare system. This paper discusses how big data is helping healthcare organizations improve patient outcomes. (Week 7: Research Paper)

Week 7: Research Paper

Ways Big Data enhance Patient Outcomes

Healthcare organizations are moving towards a patient-centered, value-based approach to care delivery. The healthcare industry, just like other industries, collects data to learn more about its customers or patients and tailor healthcare services accordingly. Big data sources like hospital records, testing machines, medical records, health researchers, and medical exam results provide the information necessary to understand patients’ needs to enhance patient experience and outcomes (Dash et al., 2019). The data collected allows healthcare providers to make more informed decisions regarding service delivery and patient treatment. For instance, physicians draw information from samples to identify warning signs of various illnesses. Treating illnesses before significant progress increases the chance for recovery and costs the patient and the healthcare industry less. This implies that bid data improves patient outcomes.

Healthcare organizations engage in continuous improvement with the help of data collected from various sources. Organizations adopt key performance indicators and data analytics to make the data useful for better decision-making. For instance, health records and Google maps can provide the information necessary to develop critical health maps that indicate underserved populations. Healthcare providers can use this information to decide where to focus healthcare delivery approaches like mobile health clinics and telemedicine (Tulane University, 2021). Hospitals also capture data to gain insights into the bigger picture of the patient experience. Big data allows healthcare teams to integrate data from various facilities like clinics, hospitals, and special offices that would otherwise be used separately in the specific facilities, remaining underutilized. Integrating or consolidating data enables rapid and precise communication between providers and their clients, drawing from an individual’s whole health history.

The current healthcare system includes technologies that gather data electronically, enhancing readability. Through these technologies, providers develop data-driven healthcare interventions or solutions to enhance patient outcomes in multiple ways (Dash et al., 2019). Big data is used to empower patients by enhancing patients understanding of their health through the increased ease of access to patient and medical records (Tulane University, 2021). Big data also provides healthcare providers with information to monitor a patient’s status, inform assessment, and improve treatment or enhance responsiveness. Big data improves access to quality health care through administrative processes streamlining and helping hospital management make better decisions regarding funding and other resource allocation within the institutions. Predictive analysis through big data allows providers to address problems early before they occur.

Wearable technologies have emerged as essential tools and sources of big data. Wearable technologies help improve patient engagement, which is critical to improving patient outcomes. For instance, smart devices like watches can record an individual’s activity level, blood pressure, heart rate, other biometrics, and even sleeping habits (Tulane University, 2021). This information is used alongside a patient’s vitals to help healthcare providers make more precise medical decisions about a patient. Wearable devices also enhance communication between providers and their clients, reducing unnecessary hospital visits.

Big data gets people on the same page. Big data provides standardized information that can help provide a holistic view to the patient and the provider regarding the patient’s health status. Big data provides information about a patient, for instance, blood pressure, without the need for traditional questioning, which is vital in managing diseases like heart disease (Tulane University, 2021). It is possible with smart interactive questionnaires that facilitate real-time biometric technology for providers to collect information faster and in a more standardized manner, fastening responses and treatment processes. Big data, including smart devices, increase primary and preventive care access, improving patient outcomes. (Week 7: Research Paper)

Conclusion

Big data helps improve patient outcomes in multiple ways. Collecting patient information allows providers to increase their understanding of patient needs to offer patient-centered and value-based care. Big data allows organizations to implement continuous improvement initiatives using data collected in real-time or daily through various technologies and EHRs, patient portals, and wearable devices. Additionally, big data through wearable devices enhance patient engagement. It fastens communication between providers and patients. It also increases access to quality, safe, and preventive care. (Week 7: Research Paper)

References

Dash, S., Shakyawar, S. K., Sharma, M., & Kaushik, S. (2019). Big data in healthcare: management, analysis and future prospects. Journal of Big Data, 6(1), 1-25. https://journalofbigdata.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40537-019-0217-0

Tulane University. (2021, July 7). How Big Data in Health Care Influences Patient Outcomes. https://publichealth.tulane.edu/blog/big-data-in-healthcare/

Week 7: Research Paper