efficiency gains attributable to care coordination

Prepare a spreadsheet of cost savings data showing efficiency gains attributable to care coordination, and report your key findings in an executive summary, 3–4 pages in length.

The use of health information technology (HIT) has been upheld as having remarkable promise in improving the efficiency, quality, cost-effectiveness, and safety of medical care delivery in our nation’s health care system.

This assessment provides an opportunity for you to examine how utilizing HIT can positively affect the financial health of an organization, improve patient health, and create better health outcomes.

CONTEXT

Information plays a fundamental role in health care. Providers such as physicians and hospitals create and process information as they deliver care to patients. However, managing that information and using it productively poses an ongoing challenge, particularly in light of the complexity of the U.S. health care sector, with its many diverse settings for care and types of providers and services. HIT has the potential to considerably increase the productivity of the health sector by assisting providers in managing information. Furthermore, HIT can improve the quality of health care and, ultimately, the outcomes of that care for patients.

Questions to Consider

As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or broaden your viewpoint. You are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community. Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or submitted as part of your assessment.

· What is the main focus of information-gathering in health care?

· How can care coordination efforts enhance the collection of evidence-based data and improve quality?

· What governmental entities are leading care coordination practices?

· What influence does data analysis have on the development and advancement of health care policy?

Preparation

As the senior care coordinator in your organization, your manager has asked you to examine and report on how care coordination can generate cost savings, improve outcomes, enhance the collection of evidence-based data, and improve health care quality. She would like you to compile cost savings data in a well-organized spreadsheet and present your key findings in an executive summary.