Using Big (+ Small) Data for Healthcare Staffing Solutions

Today’s human resource professionals in medical facilities are facing a crisis in healthcare staffing. There simply aren’t enough adequately trained and certified professionals to fill the positions they need to run their businesses and help patients. One of the biggest vacancies right now is electronic health record (EHR) positions.

The healthcare industry is one of the fastest-growing markets globally, and there is a great demand for skilled healthcare professionals. As the pandemic continues, data is becoming more and more important for shoring up staffing and skillset vacancies.

Data can help quickly recalibrate and reorient healthcare teams around the country, and more closely align specialists with patient goals. Partnering with companies that offer data-driven solutions for staffing vacancies can create new opportunities for healthcare institutions to succeed in today’s economy.

Big Data for Healthcare Staffing

Big data can be aggregated from many sources and then analyzed to provide insights — it’s the type of data you find in your HR or finance systems. The perpetual challenge with big data is transforming it into meaningful (actionable!) insights.

There are two main approaches to analyzing big data:

• Statistical Analysis: The analysis starts by creating an overview of trending healthcare staffing statistics and identifying patterns, which are then themselves tested for significance.

• Machine Learning: Uses algorithms to analyze, learn from, and make predictions about large data sets.

These technologies can also be used in healthcare to provide insights that help you be more efficient in where and how you place your staffing demands.

Proactive, Data-driven Healthcare Staffing Solutions

A successful health system needs to be proactive, flexible, and able to respond quickly to changing conditions. To do so, they must first understand their workforce needs and develop an effective strategy. Big data for healthcare derives from the use of advanced analytics and technology.

In an era of expanded scrutiny and COVID-19, to say that healthcare staff can be easily overwhelmed is an understatement. You must be proactive in your approach to managing risk and improving quality. There is a high focus on patient safety, and the health system must adapt to changing conditions. Staffing is usually the first to feel the effects, but there's no shortage of data to help relieve the pressure.

Using Small Data Against Healthcare Burnout

This is where small data comes into play. Small data refers to insights and analyses derived from a single source, often called "the little data."

Data is a new weapon in the war against burnout. Administrative staff can use small data such as email, phone calls, and hospital medical records to understand their patients’ needs and better anticipate future complications. They can quickly match hospital patients with appropriate staff and issue faster, more accurate referrals whenever necessary. This can decrease the burdens on overworked doctors and nurses down the entire line.

Small data is sourced from places like:

• Patient surveys

• Staff and provider surveys

• Patient outcomes

• Provider performance

• Electronic Medical Records (EMRs)

• Administrative data

Small data also allows for more frequent, targeted communication and improves service levels. By analyzing these data types, administrators can detect trends and see what is working well and where to focus their attention.

Always Moving Forward

The healthcare sector is evolving, and so is the way we view and manage health data. We know it's best to invest in the staffing solutions and technologies that will help us meet the needs of residents, clinicians, patients, and administrators in the 21st century.

Staffing and credentialing will continue to be primary challenges for the industry. MedCerts is proud to offer data-driven staffing and credentialing solutions for healthcare institutions. We use big and small data alike to solve vacancy issues, quickly authorize new staff, and help you deploy them as needed. Contact us today to get started.