Healthcare organizations should seize control over their data.
In the rapidly evolving world of healthcare, modern data platforms are playing a pivotal role in decision-making, with 85% of healthcare executives having an AI strategy, as revealed by a 2021 Optum survey. These platforms are not just a buzzword but a significant tool that is reshaping the landscape of patient care and operational efficiencies.
One of the key benefits of modern data platforms is the enhanced patient experience. By integrating patient records from various sources, such as Electronic Health Records (EHRs), wearable devices, and lab systems, healthcare providers can gain a comprehensive view of a patient's history and current health status. This holistic approach enables tailored care plans and early identification of at-risk patients.
Moreover, these platforms empower preventive care. By leveraging real-time data, healthcare providers can offer preventive screenings and adjust treatment plans based on lifestyle data or remote monitoring trends.
In terms of diagnostic accuracy and personalized treatment, AI-powered business intelligence can enhance diagnostic accuracy by analysing large datasets, leading to more personalized treatment plans for patients. Predictive analytics can help in identifying health trends and managing at-risk populations more effectively.
Operational efficiencies are also significantly improved. Modern data platforms enable automation in billing, scheduling, and record management, freeing staff for higher-value activities. Automating data collection and processing minimises errors, ensuring consistent and validated data.
Real-time insights provided by these platforms support quicker and more informed decision-making for both patient care and administrative tasks. Predictive analytics can forecast patient volumes, optimize resource allocation, and predict potential cost-saving opportunities by forecasting readmissions and detecting fraud.
Breaking data silos is another significant advantage. By integrating data from multiple sources, healthcare providers can view a patient's full medical history in one place, enhancing coordination and clinical decision-making across departments. Integrated platforms ensure compliance and security while connecting different systems (EHRs, billing platforms, CRMs, etc.), reducing manual data entry and communication inefficiencies.
However, mergers and acquisitions in healthcare present challenges in terms of data integration. Partners with industry-specific expertise can be engaged to aid in the adoption of modern data platforms. Successful peers in the field can serve as examples for healthcare organizations embarking on their data transformation journeys.
AI-powered tools are also being used by healthcare organizations to address workforce challenges. Nearly 48% of healthcare organizations are currently using such solutions, according to a 2023 survey by the Health Management Academy.
The shift towards value-based care, which benefits from enhanced data and analytics, is another factor driving the adoption of modern data platforms in healthcare. Organizations like UNC Health are democratising data for easier and quicker access to insights.
Industry-specific compliance and security are crucial considerations for healthcare organizations, particularly regarding sensitive patient health information. Kim Swafford, a health industry executive at Microsoft, believes AI-powered tools like ChatGPT can improve telehealth delivery by helping with triage, improving patient digital access, and aiding clinicians with administrative tasks.
In conclusion, modern data platforms in healthcare improve patient outcomes by providing a holistic view of patient care and enhancing operational efficiency through automation and data-driven decision-making. These platforms are essential for a healthcare organization's long-term success, according to experts like Bakul Patel, senior director of global digital health strategy and regulatory at Google, who views AI as an "augmenting technology as opposed to a replacing technology" when paired with human practitioners. California's Community Medical Centers and UNC Health are prime examples of healthcare organizations that have successfully evolved towards a more cohesive data analytics approach.
- The integration of science, particularly AI-powered business intelligence, into modern data platforms is enhancing diagnostic accuracy and personalized treatment plans in healthcare, leading to more effective patient care.
- Data-and-cloud-computing technologies, such as modern data platforms, are revolutionizing health-and-wellness, improving operational efficiencies with automation in billing, scheduling, and record management, while ensuring data security and compliance in handling sensitive patient information.
