News Feature | March 5, 2015

Data Analytics An HIT Leadership Priority

Christine Kern

By Christine Kern, contributing writer

Data Analytics

Almost 70 percent of healthcare decision makers prioritize data analytics, study shows.

As the influx of data from EHRs and HIEs converge, the healthcare industry is poised to leverage data analytics to further its institutions and make real gains. A recent Analytics in Healthcare report, developed by CDW Healthcare in conjunction with O’Keefe and Company, found more than two-thirds of healthcare decision makers reported data analytics as one of their organization’s top three priorities, though implementation levels varied by organization size.

CDW Healthcare’s Analytics in Healthcare Report surveyed 150 healthcare decision makers in August, 2014 to determine where organizations stand in the analytics implementation process, what benefits and challenges exist, and how they can plan for the future of analytics. According to the data, the top motivational factors for adopting data analytics programs were the rising cost of healthcare (59 percent), Medicare/Medicaid EHR incentive programs (44 percent), and the rise of accountable care organizations and other payment model reforms (41 percent).

Organization size plays a determining role in implementation and return on data analytics, the study found, with 67 percent of respondents reporting their organizations were planning for or implementing analytics, and smaller organizations lagging behind.

According to the Journal of AHIMA, the first steps towards implementation of data analytics generally include improving electronic data capture, storage, and processing—all areas directly within HIM professional’s area of expertise.

And, so far, the experiment is paying off for some healthcare organizations. An infographic pointed out more than 80 percent of respondents reported improvements to patient care due to their organization’s use of data analytics, 63 percent reported reduced readmission rates, and 62 percent reported improved overall health outcomes. Meanwhile 54 percent have seen improved financial reporting capabilities.

The report found that 65 percent of healthcare decision makers surveyed reported that their analytics spending will increase this year, and organizations will spend an average of $1.9 million on analytics spending in 2015.