News Feature | May 14, 2014

Few Providers Use Predictive Analytics

Katie Wike

By Katie Wike, contributing writer

Will EHRs Be The Bridge To Integrated Care?

A recent health IT survey revealed some surprising feelings regarding analytics, including few providers using predictive programs despite the growth of technology.

Only 25 percent of providers surveyed by TCS Healthcare Technologies reported using predictive modeling applications. With the North American HIT market expected to grow more than 7 percent this year, it’s surprising that the number is so low - especially since 35 percent of those surveyed said they used some type of predictive modeling only two years ago.

“With the growth of population health management programs, data analytics and interactive reporting is key to creating actionable information to optimize clinical outcomes,” says Rob Pock, founder and president of TCS Healthcare Technologies.  “While this trend report highlights how information technology is changing the way healthcare professionals view, analyze, and manage data, it also showcases the progress that is needed to optimize data analytic functions.”

Health IT Analytics reports 39 percent of the providers surveyed are still using basic Excel spreadsheets to track and report clinical and financial analytics. Twenty percent use Crystal Reports and another 17 percent use Access.

“Technology that supports the exchange of information in healthcare is changing very rapidly,” says Cheri Lattimer, RN, BSN, executive director of the Case Management Society of America, which co-sponsored the poll. “We have seen enormous change since this survey series launched in 2008. Data integration will continue to be a top priority as we place emphasis on transitions of care. Collaboration and interoperability will need to be fundamental elements for achieving success in technology growth and creating a seamless experience for the patient.”

Forty-six percent of those surveyed reported a positive ROI on their IT investments while only 14 percent reported a negative ROI. Dashboard and visualization tools ranked at the top of providers’ needs for application functions. Providers reported functions including ability to manipulate reports and data as well as access to information on tablets and smartphones as some of their top desires.