Abstract
The ability to collect, analyze, and derive insight from data is a vital component of a successful performance improvement process. Most healthcare organizations claim to be undertaking quality improvement (QI) initiatives, but only a few can demonstrate proof of sustainable success. Part of the problem lies in the failure to effectively manage data and information. The critical failure factors in the use of data and information are as follows:
Lack of access to the right data
Lack of in-house data analytics skills
Analysis limited to the data available rather than the data needed
Inability to convert the data into information
Analysis that provides insufficient insight
Inexperience with data collection tools and methodology
A culture that relies excessively on “gut feel,” hunches, and wild, arbitrary guesses
Lack of accountability
Insufficient use of technology to harness the right data