Improving Outcomes with Data

How access to whole person insights can enhance care and streamline the patient experience 

Patients engage with their care in a range of settings across the healthcare ecosystem – during a telemedicine visit, at a pharmacy, in a provider’s office. At every touchpoint, data plays a crucial role in maximizing outcomes. Beyond the medical record, consumer data can provide additional insights. When all datapoints along the patient’s journey are effectively integrated, the possibility of a truly holistic patient profile emerges. 

While more data exists than ever before, leveraging it remains a challenge. Legacy systems tend to be siloed, and lack of integration results in duplicate and outdated records. Further, commonly used linking technologies are inadequate for the volume and complexity of data available. 

Many organizations rely on probabilistic algorithms within their electronic medical record and master data management systems. The problem with probabilistic linking is that it is imprecise. It may incorrectly link records for different individuals, or it may fail to link different records for the same individual. Either instance may adversely impact a patient’s care and outcomes.  

The next generation of data linking technology promises to overcome these challenges. Referential data linking correctly matches patient data from disparate legacy and third-party sources to create a more comprehensive view of each patient. Greater linking precision allows healthcare organizations to derive deeper insights from an enriched dataset, supporting both individual outcomes and population health initiatives.