Developing a Data-Driven Approach in Order to Improve the Safety and Quality of Patient Care.

Fidelia Cascini,Federico Santaroni,Riccardo Lanzetti,Walter Ricciardi,Andrea Gentili,Giovanna Failla

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.667819

Abstract

Objective: To improve the safety and quality of patient care in hospitals by shaping clinical pathways throughout the patient journey.Study Setting: A risk model designed for healthcare organizations in the context of the challenges arising from comorbidity and other treatment-related complexities.Study Design: The core of the model is the patient and his intra-hospital journey, which is analyzed using a data-driven approach. The structure of a predictive model to support organizational and clinical decision-making activities is explained. Data relating to each step of the intra-hospital journey (from hospital admission to discharge) are extracted from clinical records.Principal Findings: The proposed approach is feasible and can be used effectively to improve safety and quality. It enables the evaluation of clinical risks at each step of the patient journey.Conclusion: Based on data from real cases, the model can record and calculate, over time, variables and behaviors that affect the safety and quality of healthcare organizations. This provides a greater understanding of healthcare processes and their complexity which can, in turn, advance research relating to clinical pathways and improve strategies adopted by organizations.

Highlights

Healthcare firms have long identified the need to improve healthcare services, increasing quality and safety
Case Study Description - 1 As a first example, we report the case of M.R., 40 years old, who was transported to the Emergency Room (ER) for a road traffic injury
Previous research has been performed regarding this line of work and has enhanced the importance of clinical pathways to be based on real data, using information extracted from Electronic Patient Records where possible [20]

Summary

Objective

To improve the safety and quality of patient care in hospitals by shaping clinical pathways throughout the patient journey. Study Setting: A risk model designed for healthcare organizations in the context of the challenges arising from comorbidity and other treatment-related complexities. Study Design: The core of the model is the patient and his intra-hospital journey, which is analyzed using a data-driven approach. Data relating to each step of the intra-hospital journey (from hospital admission to discharge) are extracted from clinical records. Principal Findings: The proposed approach is feasible and can be used effectively to improve safety and quality. It enables the evaluation of clinical risks at each step of the patient journey

Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

DISCUSSION

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT