BigData in Healthcare readmissions

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.

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.