How Big Data is helping Healthcare Systems to reduce
readmissions within 30 days.
Big Data is a very big term now a days. We need to
understand first what big data is. This is basically a concept where large
piles of data which is structured or unstructured in nature is acquired,
collected and then processed using different techniques available and then
lastly results in taking crucial predictive decisions. In Health care, predictive
decisions are very important as it can save precious lives and money of course,
which can be used further for other important areas.
we have mountains of data available in Healthcare Systems,
be it clinical, environmental, historical, sensors, demographic or financial.
This data is collated, aligned and standardised under Big Data Platform and
using Data mining algorithms are run on data warehouses which in turn leads to forecasting
and predictive analysis.
Readmissions are not at all a good quality measure. It
demoralizes the patients and leave them feeling very much lost and confused.
Big data phenomenon has proven a boon here.
Some Key Trends –
1.
Seton- the nation’s largest Catholic and largest
non-profit health system. This non profit status made IBM’s interest into it
and IBM implemented Big data analytics in Seton to avoid readmissions. The
results were amazing- its not always that things inside are the reasons of a
problem, its very much things outside. Two important areas were discovered
which was leading to readmissions. One is lack of emotional support at home
after discharge from hospitals and other is lack of transportation by which
they cant reach hospital on time for further tests and diagnosis after
discharge.
This leads to take preventive actions like
maintaining a complete support system at home after discharge, may be appointing
APN(Advance Practise Nurses) before discharge and ensuring care coordination
and integration is well set.
Seton’s Big Data Analytics team is in
conversation with Insurance companies too to pay back $20 or $30 taxi fare to
patients. No doubt, it would be worth paying back this small amount if it can
save thousands in costs of another hospitalization plus reduce attendant pain.
2.
Kaiser Permanente has fully implemented a new computer system, HealthConnect, to ensure data
exchange across all medical facilities and promote the use of electronic
health records. The integrated system has improved outcomes in
cardiovascular disease and achieved an estimated $1 billion in savings from
reduced office visits and lab tests.
3.
Blue Shield of California, in partnership with NantHealth, is improving health-care delivery and
patient outcomes by developing an integrated technology system that will
allow doctors, hospitals, and health plans to deliver evidence-based care that
is more coordinated and personalized. This will help improve performance in
a number of areas, including prevention and care coordination.
4.
AstraZeneca
established a four-year partnership with WellPoint’s data and analytics
subsidiary, HealthCore, to conduct real-world studies to determine the
most effective and economical treatments for some chronic illnesses and common
diseases. AstraZeneca will use HealthCore data, together with its own
clinical-trial data, to guide R&D investment decisions. The company
is also in talks with payors about providing coverage for drugs already on the
market, again using HealthCore data as evidence.
5.
jStart helped UNC Healthcare- jStart’s Big data
and text analytics expertise, the team worked with UNC Hospitals to deploy a
solution built around IBM Content Analytics. They work on the major barrier of
hospital readmission and reduced that by ensuring follow up of the patients
with their healthcare providers in a timely manner. These follow up
appointments and tests are often documented as free-text in patients’ hospital
discharge summaries. The IBM text
analytics technology enabled UNC Healthcare to automatically extract discharge
instructions from patients discharge summaries and use the structured data to
generate alerts and reports to care mangers who then ensure that patients
follow-up appointments and tests are completed.
6.
Carolinas HealthCare System- in 2012, Carolinas
HealthCare System has created its own advanced analytics in-house data arm,
called Dickson Advanced Analytics Group. The Dickson system uses a 10-terabyte
enterprise data warehouse to see trends. This is where the ability to analyze
data sets becomes very valuable. It helps to cut costs and keep population
healthy. It is able to risk stratify patients. It helps to focus on those
patients who are at the highest risk of coming back to hospitals.
Boston University Medical Center under its Project
RED(Re-engineered Discharge) has worked heavily only on discharge process.
Their Nine Survey Questions (Yes or No) is remarkable. The patient before
discharge has to fill this survey form-
I was taught about my diagnosis during my hospital stay.
I have received a written discharge plan that is easy to read and understand.
I have follow-up appointments with my physicians.
I have received a written discharge plan that has the information I need to take care of myself at home.
I have been told about test results or studies that have not been completed before I go home.
I have a written list of my discharge medications and know which medications are new or changed.
If I need home health care, medical equipment, or other help or services after I go home, it has been arranged.
When the nurses were teaching me, they asked me to explain what I had learned in my own words.
I understand what to do and who to call if a problem arises after I am home.
I was taught about my diagnosis during my hospital stay.
I have received a written discharge plan that is easy to read and understand.
I have follow-up appointments with my physicians.
I have received a written discharge plan that has the information I need to take care of myself at home.
I have been told about test results or studies that have not been completed before I go home.
I have a written list of my discharge medications and know which medications are new or changed.
If I need home health care, medical equipment, or other help or services after I go home, it has been arranged.
When the nurses were teaching me, they asked me to explain what I had learned in my own words.
I understand what to do and who to call if a problem arises after I am home.
Big Data has helped in a big prospective in healthcare and
this is only a drop in the ocean yet. The power of Big data is tremendous and more
contributions will be seen shortly. Undoubtedly, BigData is a Game Changer and
gave wonderful predictions to avoid readmissions which when worked upon has
reduced it tremendously and gave much relief to Healthcare Systems.
Healthcare Systems are investing huge in Big data and no
doubt will come up with more distinct decisions to save God’s beautiful
creation called Precious Human Life.
