Meaningful Use Stage 2 is driving a lot of technological advancements in the healthcare industry and its creating massive amounts of data. Much of this data comes from tools that are designed to improve patient engagement like EHRs, mHealth apps and patient portals.
Big data is having an increasingly powerful impact on population health management efforts as technology improves and more systems are integrated together in real-time. Perhaps the fate of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) rests solely on the big data they can collect and analyze.
From predictive modeling to real-time data visualizations, the data can benefit ACOs in many ways, including:
- Identifying patients at risk of becoming high cost especially those suffering from one or more chronic illnesses
- Encouraging preventative measures and interventions in real-time while patients are outside the providers office
- Reducing hospital readmissions by closely monitoring transitional care and engaging social and community support services
- Shared decision making among a patients health providers (like the PCMH model)
- Reducing socioeconomic disparities in the healthcare industry
- Reducing cost anomalies and unnecessary procedures among providers
For example, a recent study of big data at an ACO in New York found that some providers were over utilizing services. Some dermatologists were conducting biopsies on every patient they saw, even when it wasnt necessary driving up overall costs and staff utilization.
Analyzing all this big data will lead to the discovery of big trends in the health of our population and that can only help overall health outcomes and streamline the entire industry.
Were particularly excited because Smart Clinic fits so well with the future of healthcare its focused on patients, improves their relationship with providers, and it also streamlines administrative workflow.
Interested in learning more about what Smart Clinic has to offer? Schedule a live demo today!
