In the fast-evolving landscape of healthcare, true, quantitative data has emerged as an indispensable asset to drive critical decisions and positive change. While this applies throughout the healthcare ecosystem, it is especially true for the perioperative suite.
Below are five ways that data can help healthcare organizations not just collect data but use it to create operational and financial improvements.
- Data-driven decision-making: Hospitals often face challenges such as compensation pressures, shifts in payor models, or the need to introduce new service lines for revenue generation. The strongest way to make a compelling case for such changes within a facility or system is to have, understand, and apply high-quality data. Data is the most powerful tool to convince stakeholders of the necessity for specific operational adjustments, especially if this may require upfront investments.
- Benchmarking: The ability to compare data from your institution with that of others—either within the same health system, the same local market, or across the industry—is invaluable. It provides a clear picture of where a healthcare facility stands and uncovers pathways to elevate clinical care and financial wellness in a transparent way.
- Operating room (OR) utilization: Low or ineffective OR utilization creates a significant barrier to realizing the true potential of a perioperative suite. It not only impacts revenue, but it also affects the ability to request higher compensation, additional resources, newer equipment, and more. Understanding the actual baseline of OR usage is necessary to take active steps toward efficiency and improvement without compromising on quality and services.
- Resource allocation: In today’s healthcare environment, there is a finite pool of resources. To successfully overcome this challenge, healthcare institutions must aim to achieve the same or improved outcomes with equal or fewer resources. Data eliminates the emotions and guesswork to successfully allocate resources and allow organizations to apply them where it makes sense, when it makes sense. This empowers organizations to remain competitive under even the most difficult of circumstances.
- Recruitment and staffing: Healthcare recruitment is a complex process, which has become even more challenged by the current shortage of qualified personnel. Leveraging data can help healthcare organizations make smarter recruitment decisions and better apply their efforts overall. By analyzing historical recruitment data, on-site needs, and market trends, the perioperative suite can optimize existing staffing to align the goals of clinicians with those of the organization. Empowering organizations to identify the most promising avenues for acquiring new talent while retaining existing employees creates more dependable services for the community in the face of unavoidable constraints.
Data is an essential tool for healthcare organizations that are determined to drive improvement in the perioperative suite. From making informed decisions and better leveraging resources to improving OR utilization and recruitment efforts, data-driven insights provide a compass that guides healthcare institutions toward clinical, operational, and financial success.
How does NAPA help its clients lead OR efficiencies? Hear from Dr. Ekbatani.