HIMSS Analytics study identifies barriers to BI

CHICAGO – Resistance by end-users, poor data quality and trouble integrating data from disparate sources are among the top factors preventing healthcare organizations from adopting business intelligence (BI) and analytics, according to a new study conducted by HIMSS Analytics on behalf of Qlik, a leader in visual analytics.

The study, which surveyed 400 respondents, including C-suite, vice president and director level contacts, confirms implementation of and utilization of BI and analytics platforms result in better decision-making across all segments of a healthcare organization.

With four key areas explored – level of maturity across a variety of use cases, value that has been realized from current initiatives, challenges experienced from current deployments, and future investment plans in healthcare analytics – the survey revealed that BI and analytics platforms provide better understanding of clinical and operational efficiencies, which can lead to reduction in the average length of stay and higher patient satisfaction.

According to the study, 56 percent of healthcare organizations that are the early adopters of business intelligence platforms improve overall patient care, significantly reduce healthcare costs, while meeting reporting requirements and driving new opportunities to enhance population health.

In addition, 48 percent have confirmed they are able to make faster and more accurate decisions, while 47 percent believe the use of BI and analytics platforms result in cost saving.

As the study demonstrates, BI and analytics platforms enhance abilities for healthcare organization executives to see what is actually happening within their organizations across all departments. However implementing a BI and analytics platform doesn’t come without challenges.

Among the top barriers to healthcare organizations fully realizing the potential of BI and analytics platforms (with 42 percent responding) is end-user adoption.

When combining the lack of data quality (41 percent) and challenges related to aggregating disparate data sources (27 percent), decision-makers are left relying on outdated spreadsheets and manual processes to analyze data.

In addition, limitations of clinical workflow integration (29 percent), dashboard capabilities (27 percent), reporting capabilities (26 percent), cultural resistance (22 percent) and solution integration (20 percent) all contributed.

“Utilizing a modern and contemporary BI and analytics platform provides real-time data that is simple for self-service use, as it removes the guess-work by the end-user and increases adoption,” said John Hoyt (pictured), executive vice president HIMSS Analytics. “With 42 percent of those surveyed reporting that a hiccup in leveraging BI and analytics platforms is end-user adoption, it is imperative that healthcare organizations implement a system that is user-centric and has the ability to provide quick access, analysis and dissemination of information. This enables healthcare organization executives to make operational improvements, improving overall patient care and efficiency.”

As the value of BI and analytics tools become more widely understood among decision makers, healthcare organizations are seeking investments that unlock additional value. Integrating BI and analytics solutions with existing applications and systems is a top investment priority with 36 percent of respondents citing further investment during the next 12-24 months.

Dashboard development and predictive analytics were two other top investment priorities, with 36 percent and 31 percent, respectively. Interestingly, end-user training was cited as an investment priority by 18 percent of respondents.

Interact with a custom Qlik Sense web app built on the HIMSS Analytics survey data: http://webapps.qlik.com/himss/himss.html

About HIMSS Analytics

HIMSS Analytics collects, analyzes and distributes essential health IT data related to products, costs, metrics, trends and purchase decisions. It delivers quality data and analytical expertise to healthcare delivery organizations, IT companies, governmental entities, financial, pharmaceutical and consulting companies. Visit www.himssanalytics.org.

About Qlik

Qlik (NASDAQ: QLIK) is a leader in visual analytics. Its portfolio of products meets customers’ growing needs from reporting and self-service visual analysis to guided, embedded and custom analytics. Approximately 36,000 customers rely on Qlik solutions to gain meaning out of information from varied sources, exploring the hidden relationships within data that lead to insights that ignite good ideas. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Qlik has offices around the world with more than 1700 partners covering more than 100 countries.