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Workflow Process Improvement through Data Analytics -
Because "what gets measured gets managed!"

Any serious process improvement effort requires a deep knowledge and understanding of process data, often beyond that which is typically gathered and reported. Recent incursions of process improvement concepts such as Six Sigma and Lean have brought with them the realization that process data is critical to improvement. As IT and manual collection systems generate increasingly more data, the ability to rapidly analyze, understand, and synthesize the data escalates.

However, data does not always yield useful information and insights. Data must be converted into usable information that will assist management initiatives and improvement efforts. This transformation may require multiple toolsets and technologies, which must be sophisticated enough to be valuable, yet simple enough to be used by line management and other non-IT staff. Additionally, better decisioning at the line-manager and upper-management levels requires an understanding of what information is needed and in what format, such that outputs yield the most insight.

Furthermore, the transformation from data to information requires an understanding of the best means for presentation of information, such that management can quickly assess the reported information without struggle and difficulty of interpretation or extrapolation.

Additionally, historical data, even the best of data, can only tell us what has already happened. The ability to use data to predict the future is also needed. Without effective tools for assessing and understanding change and potential future states of performance, historical data alone has limited value in predicting future performance. Thus simulation tools are needed to not only analyze and understand current systems but also future potential performance to maximize the value of collected data.

These two issues require a “strategic” approach to data gathering and analysis to ensure efficient and effective conversion of data into knowledge and insights. As leaders in Healthcare simulation, ProModel has developed detailed data requirements, analytical tools, and standardized gathering methodologies that assist our clients in understanding their data needs and deficiencies, assessing current operations, analyzing alternative operational models, and performing true continuous process improvement. Since simulations require detailed datasets, and since our clients often need assistance in analyzing their data to support decision making, ProModel’s expertise in Data Analytics has been a natural evolution. Even if no simulations are initially involved or envisioned, ProModel’s Data Analytics offers tremendous insights into process and operational issues and opportunities by turning data into powerful, useable information.

Thus, Data Analytics has become an invaluable “first step” towards both the initial understanding of current data and metrics and eventually the simulation and optimization of operations and processes.

• Evaluate the quality and quantity of existing data as it relates to process analysis, simulation, and ongoing improvement efforts,
• Pinpoint any data “gaps” and the requirements and necessary procurement methodologies for filling those gaps,
• Develop proper robust data sets for initial and future analysis,
• Develop ongoing data streams for continuous process improvement efforts, and data-feeds for simulation models, and
• Develop effective and insightful reporting functionality and capabilities to ensure efficient management assessment and effective management decisioning.

Even if management is satisfied with its current data reporting, ProModel’s Data Analytics can fine-tune data feeds for future assessments of specific metrics and use in simulation models. This is rarely achievable without assistance and intervention, since knowledge of simulation as well as clinical applications is required.

The Model below is an example of how to use simulation to compare three alternative methods for the same medical procedure to determine the most effective one.

Capacity Planning of an Outpatient Clinic Using Simulation

Northwest Hospital - Patient Transfer Solution

Carilion Clinic engages ProModel in the design and utilization of
medical office building.  

10 Year Journey of Implementing Simulation into a customers culture

William Johnson
Miami Valley Hospital
ED Improvement Initiative