Whether DeMarco, Deming or Drucker coined the phrase ”you can’t manage what you don’t measure,” or something similar is still being debated, it’s obvious to anyone responsible for obtaining a specific desired outcome that it is difficult to guide performance in the face of lacking evidence or information.
Management gurus have utilized data analysis for improved performance in manufacturing for ages. Although health care relies heavily on scientific evidence to mold practice standards and new technology, health care has fallen short in business management because of the lack and ability to aggregate data.
It’s important to gather information and component facts that align to determine what direction to take next to guide performance both clinically and financially. Today’s practice of benchmarking, dashboards and scorecards have proven great value and will hardly be left behind as a fad.
Health care, by enlarge is built on scientific evidence and is finally leaning toward business models in all areas of change management. Aggregation, trending patterns, and outcomes provide enhanced abilities in predictive modeling, reducing harm and improving outcomes. Quality measurement in health care has led to significant changes in process and vigilance and has been attributed to saving millions of lives.
As a provider of clinical services and healthcare reform, managing data and sharing outcomes have become more prevalent during the past 10 years with quality reporting that was initiated in 2002 through Hospital Quality Initiatives. Therapy outcomes have been the second seat to mandated medical outcomes, but therapy practice does not have to wait for mandated reform.
Where there is data, there is opportunity for measuring and managing outcomes; regardless of who said, “you can’t manage what you don’t measure.” Collecting and sharing data means healthcare reform will rely on information and change processes through data driven outcomes. Are you ready for data driven clinical reform? The hardest leap is accepting and leading the change!
