How Data-Enabled Collaboration Works in Health Care
In health care, it is not uncommon to visit multiple providers to diagnose issues or connect with specialists for specific concerns. One problem with this is that patient data can get lost in the shuffle and vital information could be missed during patient care.
Data-enabled collaboration aims to decrease these issues by safely sharing patient data across joint data systems to provide more comprehensive patient care. Let’s look at what data-enabled collaboration is, how it is helpful, what information can be collected, and how to use the data moving forward.
What Is Data-Enabled Collaboration
As the name implies, data-enabled collaboration ensures that all of your employees have access to the same data — including data systems — to help keep everyone on the same page.
Data-enabled collaboration looks like:
- Employees accessing and engaging with data in any form while working together
- Clear key roles (data owner, data consumer) assigned for all data
- Employees continuously learning new functions and tools within data platforms
In health care specifically, this data collaboration allows for better care across the care continuum as more information is easily shared between providers.
How Is Data-Enabled Collaboration Helpful?
Data-enabled collaboration is shown in electronic health records, claims, wearable medical devices, and through patients themselves. This helps detect patterns in information, deliver actionable insights, and enable self-learning systems that make patient care more efficient.
As health care providers are able to streamline and share data across multiple platforms, it improves the quality of care, health care costs, and overall health outcomes.
Types of Data That Can Be Collected
In health care, data that can be collected and shared includes:
- Population
- Health management
- Risk management
- Clinical effectiveness
- Cost analysis
- Patient information
With this type of data gathered and shared via data-enabled collaboration, health care organizations are better able to adapt to industry changes, implement newer technology, and streamline and improve patient care across the care continuum.
How to Leverage Collected Data
Any data that is collected in health care settings can be used in different ways. The following information shows how data-enabled collaboration works throughout the health care industry.
Continuity of Care Document (CCD)
Continuity of Care (CCD) documents have become a standard way to share clinical information and documentation between providers. Also known as Summary of Care or Summarization of Episode Note, CCDs are used to exchange information when changing providers or returning to a primary provider after seeing specialists or a hospital stay.
Admission, Discharge, and Transfer System (ADT)
The ADT system documents and tracks patients through admission, discharge, or transfers at hospitals. This helps track where patients are, the care they receive, and coordination with primary providers.
Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC)
Comprehensive primary care focuses on collaboration between primary care and preventative services. Additionally, if patients visit emergency departments, CPC information and systems can alert primary care providers (similar to ADT) to coordinate follow-up care, which can improve overall patient care.
Accountable Care Organizations (ACO)
Gathering data surrounding the cost of health care presents the need for affordable solutions. Accountable care organizations (ACOs) use this data to focus on shifting from fee-for-service care to value-based care, which promotes the quality of care instead of the quantity.
With these programs available, it makes data-enabled collaboration easier, simpler, and more effective for patients and providers alike.