DATA INTEGRATION IN HEALTHCARE: BRIDGING GAPS FOR IMPROVED PATIENT OUTCOMES
Keywords:
Healthcare Data Integration, Clinical Decision Support, Interoperability Challenges, Patient Care Optimization, Healthcare Digital TransformationAbstract
Healthcare data integration represents a transformative force in modern medical care delivery, fundamentally reshaping how healthcare organizations manage and utilize patient information. This comprehensive article explores the evolution of healthcare data systems, examining current challenges, implementation strategies, and measured outcomes across diverse healthcare settings. The article investigates the impact of integrated data systems on clinical decision-making, patient safety, operational efficiency, and overall care quality. Through detailed case studies of both metropolitan and rural healthcare networks, the research demonstrates the substantial benefits of comprehensive data integration while highlighting critical success factors and best practices for implementation. The article encompasses technical considerations, organizational approaches, and performance metrics, providing valuable insights for healthcare organizations pursuing integration initiatives. Special attention is given to stakeholder engagement, change management protocols, and continuous improvement frameworks that support successful integration outcomes.
References
World Health Organization, "Global strategy on digital health 2020-2025," WHO Digital Health Strategy. [Online]. Available: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/documents/gs4dhdaa2a9f352b0445bafbc79ca799dce4d.pdf
Sascha Kraus, Francesco Schiavone, Anna Pluzhnikova, Anna Chiara Invernizzi, "Digital transformation in healthcare: Analyzing the current state-of-research," Journal of Business Research, Volume 123, February 2021, Pages 557-567. [Online]. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296320306913
Quisitive, "Risky Business: The Cost of Data Silos in Healthcare," July 25, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://quisitive.com/the-cost-of-data-silos-in-healthcare/
Margaret Lindquist, "Interoperability in Healthcare Explained," Oracle, June 24, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.oracle.com/health/interoperability-healthcare/
Ki-Hoon Kim, Wona Choi, Soo-Jeong Ko, Dong-Jin Chang, Yeon-Woog Chung, Se-Hyun Chang, Jae-Kwon Kim, Dai-Jin Kim, and In-Young Choi, "Multi-Center Healthcare Data Quality Measurement Model and Assessment Using OMOP CDM," Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(19), 9188, 2 October 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/19/9188
A. T. M. Wasylewicz and A. M. J. W. Scheepers-Hoeks, "Clinical Decision Support Systems," in Fundamentals of Clinical Data Science, December 22, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK543516/
Joanne Enticott, Alison Johnson, Helena Teede, "Learning health systems using data to drive healthcare improvement and impact: a systematic review," BMC Health Serv Res. 2021 Mar 5;21:200. [Online]. Available: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7932903/
Ashok Panagariya, "The Challenges and innovative solutions to rural health dilemma," Ann Neurosci. 2014 Oct;21(4):125–127. [Online]. Available: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4248476/
Shirin Alsadat Hadian, Reza Rezayatmand, Nasrin Shaarbafchizadeh, Saeedeh Ketabi & Ahmad Reza Pourghaderi, "Hospital performance evaluation indicators: a scoping review," BMC Health Services Research volume 24, Article number: 561 (2024), 01 May 2024. [Online]. Available: https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-024-10940-1
Ann E M Liljas, Fanny Brattström, Bo Burström, Pär Schön, Janne Agerholm, "Impact of Integrated Care on Patient-Related Outcomes Among Older People – A Systematic Review," Int J Integr Care. 2019 Jul 24;19(3):6. [Online]. Available: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6659761/
KMS Staff, "Data Integration in Healthcare: Guide and Best Practices," KMS Healthcare, January 10, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://kms-healthcare.com/blog/data-integration-in-healthcare/#:~:text=Data%20integration%20in%20healthcare%20refers,devices%2C%20and%20other%20healthcare%20applications
M. A. Roberts and S. K. Thompson, "Clinical Data Integration Strategies for Multicenter Studies," in Technological Innovation for Connected Cyber Physical Spaces, pp 175–190, 25 June 2023. [Online]. Available: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-36007-7_13
