Project Report: Influence of Secondary Data on Population Healthcare

This report critically analyses the ways in which secondary health data can be used to influence healthcare at the population level. It evaluates the importance of secondary data in healthcare, focusing on areas such as cost-effectiveness and epidemiological applications. The report discusses the concept of healthcare at the population level, emphasizing the shift from individual focus to a broader range of factors impacting the health of the entire population. It explores the secondary uses of healthcare data, including healthcare management, public health monitoring, and health system planning. Accessibility of data, cost-effectiveness of data extraction, and the importance of data quality are also examined, highlighting the need for efficient data extraction procedures and stringent regulations to protect sensitive health data. The report concludes that better approaches to data extraction and management can transform patient care and improve healthcare planning at the population level.

Critically Analyse

Contents
PROJECT 1.....................................................................................................................................1
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
Project 2.........................................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................28

PROJECT 1
Abstract: this project had focused upon critical analysis of ways in which secondary health data
can be used for influencing health care at a population level. This project had critically evaluated
importance of secondary data in healthcare sector. Areas that can get affected or influenced by
this data such as cost effectiveness, epidemiological applications etc.
For bringing improvement in the services, there is a constant need to identify the areas
where modifications need to be made (1). Secondary health data plays a vital role in providing
valuable information to the health organizations thus enabling them to work for the betterment of
the services (2). Various sources such as consensus, organizational records and information
gathered by departments of government are important sources of secondary health data (3). The
purpose of the present essay is to critically analyse the ways in which secondary health data can
be used to influence healthcare at the population level. Information about various factors such as
cost effectiveness of data extraction, its epidemiological application and accessibility of data
have been discussed.
Healthcare at population level and Secondary health data
The concept involving healthcare at population level comprises shifting the focus from
individual level to the whole population (4). In this, a broader range of factors are addressed
which impact the health of the whole population (4). Improving healthcare at the population
level not only includes the health information but also other factors that impact it (5). This may
include the surrounding environment, housing, disease management, primary care etc. (5).
However, it can be critically analysed that healthcare at population level requires the healthcare
professionals and agencies to work collaboratively with the government departments to achieve
the health related goals of the nation (6).
Various health agencies are involved in the collection of data that pertains to health of the
population (7). The use of this data is referred to as secondary health data (8). This aspect is
related to using the personal health information (PHI) of people for purposes which are other
than the direct delivery of healthcare (9). However, the data that has been collected in electronic
medical records can also be put to secondary use (10). This has the potential to result in greater
quality of health care service as well as cost savings (10).
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Secondary uses of healthcare data
Large volumes of data are generated in clinical care which is important for continuity of
care as well as for providing referrals to the patients (11). But it is not always true and it can be
said that along with catering to the needs of the patients, this data also finds its use in generating
alerts to initiate improvement in practice as well as to undertake care activities (11). There are
various secondary purposes for which health data is used (12). These include aspects such as
healthcare management and public health monitoring (12). But, it has been found that Health
system planning is also an important aspect which requires secondary use of health data (13).
Further, another secondary use of health information is in program evaluation (14). So, it can be
concluded that use of personal health information for secondary uses continues to be a debatable
topic. But, for planning and implementation health care at the population level, government
health authorities and other public bodies need to use the data.
Accessibility of data
In today’s times, secondary health data is readily available on internet as well as other
sources such as print materials (15). In order to use the secondary health data for the purpose of
identifying areas for improvement, accessibility is an important factor (16). Convenient
accessibility of the health data aids in accomplishing the research tasks on time. It also increases
its usability for a variety of organizations (17). But I refuse to accept that this easily available
information on internet is accurate source of secondary data. Secondary use of health data can be
ensured by improving its access to the users so it is suppose to be accurate (17). Health data
about the diseases, their prevalence and impact can be accessed on government websites (18).
Various health departments also serve as a source of information which can be put to secondary
use (19). Organizational records can also be accessed for obtaining secondary data and using it
for improving healthcare (20). It can be analysed that secondary health data can thus be used for
influencing healthcare at population level. Accessibility of the data provides convenience to the
healthcare agencies and systems to obtain the relevant data (17, 18). Based on this, the
formulation of health care plans and strategies can be done which improves the delivery of health
care to the population (21). In this way, the secondary health data can be accessed and used (16).
So it can be concluded that this data can only be used for influencing healthcare at population
level, if it can be accessed by the required professional at the required time.
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Further, data about the population is available on the website and records of government
departments (22). This pertains to the health outcomes of specific groups of people, their health
status, causes of deaths, socio- economic parameters regarding health and wellness etc. (22).
However, it has been found that these can be accessed after obtaining the permission from the
respective authority (22). It can be critically analysed that obtaining permission requires further
processes that may consume time and impact the use of health information. But, timely use of the
data is essential for bringing improvements at the larger level (23). However, the process of
accessing data after obtaining permission may lead to delay in accessing the data and using it for
the required purposes, thus decreasing its effectiveness (23).
Cost effectiveness of extracting data
Data extraction is described as the process through which data is obtained from a
database. With the help of this process, subset of the data can be better explored (24). Data
extraction makes the explorations load in a faster manner (25). It can be analysed that data
extraction provides the benefit of allowing the health policies to utilize the information which
could lead to adoption of best methods and enhancement of care (26). This would eventually lead
to decrease in the expenses (27). However, it can be critically analysed that there is lack of
efficient data extraction procedures in the healthcare industry (28). This would negatively
influence the health care at the population level as the process of data extraction will not be cost
effective.
Data extraction may be carried out by instantly extracting the data from the target device.
This is referred to as online extraction (29). However I refuse to accept it and infect on contrary,
offline extraction comprises of extracting data that has been stored somewhere outside (30).
Approved users like doctors can easily obtain data of patients through data extraction (31).
Moreover, the process of data extraction also ensures that the information is kept secure and
contained (32). However, it can be critically analysed that the cost effectiveness of the secondary
use of health data can be increased if there are better ways to extract it. It has been found that
healthcare professionals face a continuous challenge of extracting healthcare data (33). The
reason behind this is the lack of technology integration (33). With the increase in productivity
and demands of workflow, there is a situation where the valuable data remains unseen (33). This
occurs due to lack of data integration and accessibility (34). So, it can be concluded that health
data exists which can be put to secondary use but inability to properly extract it makes it
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inconsequential. It can be analysed that this may negatively influence the health at population
level as the data could not be used for the required purpose.
For the health data to be put to effective use, it is essential for it to move among hospitals,
clinics, devices, electronic health records and other channels which form the basis of modern
health care ecosystem (35). On contrary to view point of this author it can be said that that with
the movement of data, there is a danger of theft and unauthorized access (36). This makes the
healthcare professionals trapped between the concepts of risk and potential (37). In this regard, it
can be evaluated that there is a need to reimagine a way of approaching health data and
extracting it so that now solutions can be forged out (38). It can be analysed that with these
solutions, health care data can be extracted in a better way thus increasing its use for developing
plans regarding healthcare at a population level. So it can be concluded that the cost of extracting
data tends to be equivalent to its utility owing to the lack of appropriate methods of data
extraction. This can be overcome by adopting better processes for data extraction so that it is
convenient and saves time.
Better approaches to data extraction has the potential to radically transform the ways in
advancement of patient care is done (39). This clearly indicates the tremendous influence of
secondary health data on the health at population level (39). Rethinking the approaches to data
extraction and its management will lead to a transformation in the method of conducting clinical
trials as well as improving the quality of care that is received by the service users (40). This will
provide novel solutions for the health at the population level which will benefit larger sections of
people.
Importance of data quality
Data quality is an important aspect particularly in the health care sector (41). The nature
of this data is sensitive and indicates that stringent rules and regulations protect and govern it
(42). Ensuring quality of health data contains a number of benefits which increases its vitality
(42). Data quality provides acceleration to the methods of working of the health care sector
which further boosts its efficiency and accuracy (43). It also leads to improvement in the learning
so that better decision making can be undertaken and new policies and procedures can be
implemented at the population level (43). Furthermore, quality of health data is essential for
enhancing patient safety, when it is to be put to secondary use at the population level (44). High
quality of data and its accuracy will ensure that patient safety is maintained (44). This will not
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only lead to better patient outcomes but also formulation of effective plans at the population
level.
Another reason for the importance of quality of health data is that it is required for
identifying relevant trends and patterns (45). But as compared to other researchers studies it can
be said that when data is to be used for health at population level, it is of crucial importance to
determine the trends and patterns of diseases, their causal factors and prevalence. High quality of
data ensures that all the above aspects are considered (28). When considering the health at the
level of the population, it is required that services are regularly monitored and evaluated (46).
This is needed to highlight the weaknesses prevailing in the various areas of healthcare services
(46). Monitoring and evaluation is also required for building on the strengths of the health care
system of the nation. Therefore, it can be analysed that data quality of health data positively
influences the health at the population level. Furthermore, data quality ensures that better plans
are made for the future. In order to ensure the healthcare services are improved, there is need to
make holistic plans which cater to the needs of the population these plans also need to take care
of the prevailing health patterns and trends (47). So it can be concluded that high quality of data
ensures that health plans are made with a better vision and objective (28). It can be analysed that
in this way, secondary health data can be used to influence healthcare at population level.
Data quality of secondary health data can be ensured by adopting a structured process
(48). All the data that enters the healthcare system through manual entry needs to go through a
process which is appropriately structured. This will ensure that the data can be validated. A clear
structure ensures that risk of inaccurate and poor quality data is checked (49). Another way
through which data quality can be ensured is through formatting and validation (50). When the
data is properly formatted and the structures as well as the processes used are tried and tested, it
helps in preventing errors (49). Thirdly, effective quality of data can be maintained through
security, collaboration and cohesion (51). Proper access and evaluation of data encompasses the
ability to work together. For this, it is required that the various health care professionals,
agencies and health departments collaborate securely and work in a cohesive manner (52).
Continuous monitoring of data and its scalability is another measure to ensure the data quality
(53). This involves monitoring the data on a continuous basis.
Impact of clinical audit in NHS
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It is important to regular audit in health care sector it can be ensured that data and info is
properly stored and managed (54). However other researchers further explains that, audit also
enables in finding out areas where improvement is required. In UK, NHS is public funded
system which offer variety of health care services to people free of cost. The organization is
funded by government. Clinical audit is process to find out whether health care services are
being provided as per set standards or not. Apart from it, conducting of audit also helps in
identifying where service offered to patients is well and where not. Thus, on basis of that weak
areas are identified and then improvement is made. The audit are conducted on regular basis to
ensure that standards and criteria are followed in health care services. Thus, when improvement
is made within process it changes the entire way of giving health care services (55). So it can be
said that, when improvements are made this automatically result in creating a positive impact on
NHS. It is because the process are enhanced and this led to improving quality of health care
services as well. For doing audit in NHS there is a programme which is organized. The NCAPOP
do audit on behalf of NHS. In this total 30 national audits are included. In that, the data is
collected and gathered by local clinicians (56). Thus, it gives a brief overview of how care
standards which are being followed in particular condition.. hence, on local level NHS prepare
report on basis of certain benchmarks and analyse performance. In clinical audit feedback of
patient is also taken by which it becomes easy to identify improvement areas. There are 4 major
program in NCAPOP which help to assess quality of health care. The main thing is to collect
data and ensure that set standards are followed. It is stated that there is positive impact of clinical
audit on NHS. This can be said that in audit standards are checked. So, if they are not being
followed in offering care services then changes are made into it (57). Besides that, some
alternative ways are determined on basis of which improvement can be done. For instance- for
training of staff new process can be applied which brings efficiency in working of staff. So, it
impacts on their productivity in positive way as goals are achieved in less time. When
improvement is made then it results in improving quality of health care services. So, this brings
positive changes in outcomes. Therefore, when outcomes are enhanced then new objectives are
set. The problems or issues are also determined in NHS which are solved. There is auditing of
resources are done to ensure that they are utilised in effective way (58). Hence, this impact on
utilisation of resources in efficient way. In addition to it, clinical audit inspects that how data and
info is stored and maintained. So, if there is any mismanagement in data and info than changes
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are made to keep data secure and private. Therefore, audit impact in positive way on NHS as the
process of sharing data and info is checked. Alongside, there are certain principles as well on
basis of which audit is done. Clinical audit has direct impact on patients where they are mainly
involved in the entire process and it supports a lot in meeting with their expectations (59).
Another impact of audit is that it helps in raising standards and in turn high standards are set for
delivering best healthcare services to the patients. So it can be concluded that clinical audit
assists a lot in enhancing the efficiency as the main aim of the audit is to enhance the quality and
the healthcare firm is able to manage cost in every possible manner. Clinical audit leads to
efficient utilization of the available resources.
But on contrary there is negative impact of clinical audit on NHS as well (60). Here,
when there is require to make improvement in process or service quality then it is highly
complex procedure. This is because it requires overall plan on how change is to be made. Also,
staff resist changes and do not adopt it thus this impact on their performance in negative way. It
is also stated that sometimes changes made are compatible to one area but it does not fit in
another way. Therefore, this also impact on maintaining of quality of health care standards in
negative way. It is also said that there is lack of expertise staff due to which they are not able to
adopt changes and to train them consumes a lot of time. This impact on NHS efficiency in
negative way. Patient expects many things from the new standards and practices in health care
but this creates problems while implementing the plan of auditing (61). This impact on NHS way
of delivering care services.
Principles and techniques of service improvement
The main purpose of service improvement is to bring relevant outcomes. Furthermore, as
per other authors it can be said that it helps in understanding that it enables in finding out weak
areas and improving it. There is continuous efforts made for improving service to make it better
(9). With that it becomes easy to reduce cost as well. So, there are certain principles which is
applied in service improvement. They are explained as below :
Result oriented not process oriented – this is a principle followed which state that task performed
by people is known as specialized task. In this it must be ensured that the improvement made
must be result oriented not process one (6). The changes must emphasis on attaining of outcomes
rather than process. For that it is essential to find out customer requirements.
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Involve people who is in process- this principle state that work must be done by individual to
obtain outcome. Here, all those who are involve in service improvement must be included in it so
that improvement is made (62). Thus, outcome is analyzed and on basis of that improvement is
made into service.
Integrate data collection and process- the principle state that data must be handle and manage by
same person. This is because it will enable in reducing errors in interpreting of data. Hence, the
data gathered is precise by which it can be stated how improvement is made into it.
Share database with interconnect department- this principle state that database must be shared
department which is interconnected. (18) This is because shared database helps in processing of
data and info in proper way. Alongside, there is flexibility in processing of data between
department. Besides, real time access of data is there by quick decisions are taken.
Bridge gap in process- here, the principle state that activities which runs on same process should
be integrated. Thus, common activities are combined together and then process is executed. For
that communication network is made strong. Moreover, coordination between department is
improved and effective process is followed. It results in reducing cost of process as well.
Decision making is part of work- There is need to make effective decisions in service
improvement (41). The principle state that decision making must be a part of work. This means
that it should not be excluded from work and person who is engaged in work must make
decision. Besides, process is enhanced by giving authority to person to make decision. This
enhance speed of work process.
Gather data at origin points- The data must be gathered at point of origin as it eliminates
transmitting info. This also saves times as data has not be gathered at different points.
furthermore, on basis of data real time decision is taken and then it enhances flow of process
(25).
Hence, these all are some principles of service improvement which is followed. It allows
in ensuring that during improvement the standards are applied that makes easy to make changes.
This determine that what changes are to be done and where.
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But on contrary it is stated that principles are not applied in all situations. It is because the
changes in service improvement is not done on principle basis (45). Even if they are applied then
it results in failure of changes by which effective outcomes are not attained. There also occur
error and delay in executing change within service. for example- if decision making principle is
applied then the person decision taken may not be effective. There is also risk of data breach and
quality of data is not maintained. Therefore, this also impact on maintaining of quality of health
care standards in negative way (28). It is also said that there is lack of expertise staff due to
which they are not able to adopt changes and to train them consumes a lot of time.
For services improvement there are certain techniques and principles which are applied.
The use of techniques depends on what type of improvement is to be made. But the principles
followed in it are same. The principles ensure that a specific process or standards are followed in
it by which service improvement is done (35). There are certain features of services which are
there such as intangibility, perishability, variability, etc. Along with that, there are 4 techniques
of it which are defined as follows :
Developing process manual- It is a technique in which there are set of instructions which is to be
carried out day to day. Usually, it is cost effective technique to achieve a standard process. There
is no involvement of human in it. Also, the technique prevents service providers from digressing
from prescribed process steps while delivering services. Moreover, it increases service outcome
as service provider refer to same manual of process. Through this guide exception are managed
in effective way (24).
Automate processes- this technique involve intensive tasks and there is high probability that
variation is infused in process during service delivery. By automating process, it becomes easy to
work in effective way as time taken to deliver is less (40). Besides that, there is less involvement
of people in delivering service. Alongside, productivity of process increases through automation.
This technique eliminates the mistakes which occurs during service delivery.
Reduce failure demand- In this technique the waste within service process is identified. Thus, the
technique is used to find out proportion of failure demand as compare with total demand
received. Apart from it, root cause analysis in order to find out failure of demand and then
relevant actions for that. This technique enables in reducing failure demand of service by which
it becomes easy to fulfil demand on time (35). By finding out main problem it becomes easy to
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eliminate it and also in future it is ensured that the same mistake does not occur again. It is most
common technique that is used in service improvement.
Conduct service blueprint exercise- It is a customer focus approach where service improvement
is done. In this entire map of service journey is developed. Then, the key target customer
segment as well as process which contain service is designed. In addition, user action sequence is
evaluated and touch points or interface which enable service relationship is formed (11). There
are different types of steps which is followed in this technique such as choose of service, identify
goal, stakeholders, conduct blueprint exercise, etc. through that, it present customer role and
value, assist in finding failure points, opportunity for service improvement, etc.
If it is critically analysed than if techniques of service improvement is not effective as it
is not properly applied in that (44). Moreover, the technique is not feasible in all types of service
improvement. There is require to have experience of all types of techniques and how it is
applied. This has resulted in failure of changes in service and obtaining ineffective outcomes
which impact on service delivery as well.
From the above project it has been concluded that secondary health data plays a vital role
in providing valuable information to the health organizations thus enabling them to work for the
betterment of the services. It can directly help in bringing improvement within types of services
of healthcare organization.
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