Applications of business analytics in healthcare

Abstract

The American healthcare system is at a crossroads, and analytics, as an organizational skill, figures to play a pivotal role in its future. As more healthcare systems capture information electronically and as they begin to collect more novel forms of data, such as human DNA, how will we leverage these resources and use them to improve human health at a manageable cost? In this article, we argue that analytics will play a fundamental role in the transformation of the American healthcare system. However, there are numerous challenges to the application and use of analytics, namely the lack of data standards, barriers to the collection of high-quality data, and a shortage of qualified personnel to conduct such analyses. There are also multiple managerial issues, such as how to get end users of electronic data to employ it consistently for improving healthcare delivery, and how to manage the public reporting and sharing of data. In this article, we explore applications of analytics in healthcare, barriers and facilitators to its widespread adoption, and how analytics can help us achieve the goals of the modern healthcare system: high-quality, responsive, affordable, and efficient care.

A Business Analytics Software Tool for Monitoring and Predicting Radiology Throughput Performance

“…Analytic applications are increasingly being implemented across the healthcare sector and have the potential to fundamentally shape the future of medicine and care delivery [18]. In order for radiology managers to make accurate, timely and fact-based decisions, it is important that they have access to relevant data at any point in time.…”

“…The latter example had already occurred at a major healthcare organisation in 2010 [19], and it was noted the prototype tool could highlight and alert these anomalies very quickly thus averting a potential crisis. Further, disaster planning, in the case where demand far exceeds supply, may be a key area where the application could be utilised [18]. In the case of lengthy periods of device downtime, the visualisation of the impact on backlog would offer a support tool for planning.…”

Deployment of Analytics into the Healthcare Safety Net: Lessons Learned

“…In addition, 95.5% report using clinical decision support applications, and 64.1% exchange clinical information electronically with other key providers, health care settings or subspecialty clinicians. 3 In addition, 88.9% participate in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) EHR Incentive Program commonly known as "Meaningful Use." These statistics reflect a commitment to the adoption of new technologies to support the provision of high-quality clinical care and streamline operations.…”

A business analytics maturity perspective on the gap between business schools and presumed industry needs

“…However, providing the industry with the qualities it desires seems to be challenging or at least lagging because the BA savviness of the current workforce is not always satisfactory (Ward, Marsolo, & Froehle, 2014). The demand for employees in the analytics discipline surpasses the supply in all business sectors (Solomon, 2014).…”