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Innovation and HIS

Navigating the Shift in Healthcare Data Management

The challenging transition towards structured data management in hospitals.

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3
minutes

In the realm of healthcare, the efficient management of data presents a pivotal challenge. Surprisingly, a staggering 80% of data in Electronic Patient Records (EPR) is currently unstructured, primarily in narrative form. This article explores the essential yet challenging transition towards structured data management in hospitals, a shift that demands minimal adjustments for clinicians accustomed to natural language.

The Current health Data Dilemma

Clinicians are deeply familiar with the routine of navigating through endless documents and notes, all in unstructured text. This traditional method, while comfortable, is riddled with inefficiencies and inaccuracies. These challenges highlight the limitations of relying solely on unstructured data, prompting the need for a more efficient and accurate system. The reliability and effectiveness of healthcare delivery depend on the ability to manage patient information effectively. This reality raises a critical question: is there a more effective approach that can bridge the gap between traditional methods and modern needs?

The shift towards structured data represents a significant change that goes beyond simple organization. At its core, it is about enhancing the process of decision-making and patient care in the healthcare sector. Structured data holds immense promise and potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery. By offering a more organised and accurate approach to managing patient information, it paves the way for increased efficiency within the healthcare system. This transition towards structured data in health information management is not just a trend, but a critical step towards a more streamlined and effective patient care process. The use of structured data can lead to more precise diagnoses, personalised treatments, and ultimately, improved patient outcomes. It can transform the way healthcare providers access and use vital patient information, making it a game-changer in the field.

Overcoming Resistance to Change

Adapting to change, especially in complex sectors like healthcare, is inherently challenging. Clinicians might harbor legitimate concerns regarding new technologies disrupting their established workflows. The emphasis, therefore, should be on adopting technologies that complement rather than overhaul existing clinical methodologies. One effective solution to address this concern is the implementation of new technologies capable of structuring data from natural language.

This approach allows clinicians to focus more on patient care rather than on adapting to a changing cultural landscape. Lifen solutions are a prime example of this technology. Our cutting-edge algorithms are specifically designed to understand the context and semantics of medical text, enabling the precise and efficient extraction of relevant information from clinical data within PDF documents. By using such advanced technologies, clinicians can seamlessly integrate new data management systems into their workflows without the need to significantly alter their established practices.

Explore how Lifen's state-of-the-art solutions are revolutionising data accuracy in healthcare, reinforcing NHS England's dedication to quality and innovation.

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The transition to structured data management signifies a major stride towards a future where healthcare is more efficient, accurate, and patient-focused. Clinicians are integral to this transformation. Embracing this change is vital for redefining patient care in the digital era. This shift towards a more data-driven approach to healthcare promises to bring about a new standard of care, one that is more personalised, efficient, and ultimately, more effective.

Vanessa Le Roy

Vanessa is a multi-skilled IT engineer with experience working at the intersection of healthcare IT and medical device solutions. Over the past decade, she has helped develop and deploy the latest health technologies in the EMEA region. As Lifen’s Head of International Product, she is in charge of developing Lifen’s document management and interoperability platform at a European scale.

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