November 02, 2015 12:00 AM

Improving Performance amid the Deluge of Data

Measurement is the name of the game in improving healthcare operations these days. A Q&A with Truven Health's Kathy Vanenkevort.

Christina Galoozis, Modern Healthcare Custom Media

What does “balanced performance” mean and why should hospitals seek it?

It's a strategic practice used to monitor success. No one metric can create a balanced story, which is why conventional performance management systems are insufficient—often measuring only financial, operational or quality results. These measures alone, though essential and important, fail to tell the complete story of the business realities hospitals now face. Optimal accomplishment only happens when all are aligned on the same goals and marching forward in tandem, each recognizing their contribution to the 'dot' mapped on ascorecard.

Why is balanced performance important in today's healthcare environment?

We have to examine cause and effect relationships more today than ever. The business of healthcare and the provisioning of healthcare now have interconnected strategic aims. As we move from fee-for-service to value-based care, seeing all the components of the value equation creates a tipping point between the fragmented practices of today to fluid continuums tomorrow.

Keep asking “why?” and always demand that the initiative solves multiple challenges—that's the essence of intelligent information vs. just information. For example, wanting to improve length of stay is a big task as there are many components— Did they stay longer due to complications? Was it a weekend stay? Were there delays in the diagnostics or the treatment modalities? Were there patient preferences? It's a symptom of something closer to the tip of the spear. We know that patients experiencing sepsis stay longer, have increased mortality and morbidity, and cost more. Whatever you are solving for should have a 'triple ripple effect'. Prioritize that one.

The metrics of the 100 Top Hospitals® balanced scorecard are placed to demonstrate interdependencies, that none are mutually exclusive and can be monitored to analyze the movement between them. We have consultants specialized in the art of identifying this exact thing—finding the non-obvious, which sometimes turns out to be the obvious. Our Road to 100 Top Hospitals® consulting engagement helps hospitals and health systems make improvements in operational and quality performance—including clinical outcomes—so that they can join the ranks of the top hospitals in the nation by optimizing balanced performance.

Learn More About Truven's 100 Top Hospitals

The renowned Truven Health Analytics annual 100 Top Hospitals® study uses objective research and independent public data to recognize the best hospitals in the nation. Hospitals do not apply, and winners do not pay to market this honor. Study results and winner lists are highly anticipated each year and have been for two decades. Identified from nearly 3,000 U.S. hospitals, our award winners demonstrate that high-quality patient outcomes can be achieved — while improving efficiency.

Learn More

How often should you "benchmark"?

The majority of organizations benchmark monthly simply because at that point you have a cohort of data that has enough power to show statistically significant improvement. Timelines should allow suf cient time for change. Remember, we are aiming for palpable results. Something you can feel.

What are some proven best practices that Truven Health sees when it helps organizations begin their performance improvement journeys?

Begin is the operative word. Most organizations don't get far on their journey not because they aren't measuring the right metrics, but because the culture isn't aligned. So to begin one must give special attention to the following:

Transparency on KPIs—measuring what actually matters

Alignment of leaders and staff

Consistent adoption in a systematic way across

the organization

Efficient and effective attainment of results

ABOUT TRUVEN HEALTH

We're dedicated to delivering the answers our clients need to improve healthcare quality and access, and reduce costs. Our unmatched data assets, technology, analytic expertise, and market-wide perspective have served the healthcare industry for more than 30 years. For more information, please visit truvenhealth.com.

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Improving Performance amid the Deluge of Data

Measurement is the name of the game in improving healthcare operations these days. A Q&A with Truven Health's Kathy Vanenkevort.

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