Big data is defined by The McKinsey Global Institute as “datasets whose size is beyond the ability of typical database software tools to capture, store, manage, and analyze” (Sensmeier, 2016). “It is a collection of a vast amount of trustworthy data accumulating in high velocity, and coming from a variety of sources, not only medical records” (Jastania et al, 2019).NURS 6051S Week 5 Discussion: Big Data Risks and Rewards.
These enormous datasets offer a great opportunity to improve patient outcomes, lower healthcare costs, offer more transparency, and achieve a higher patient satisfaction level. Big Data also presents many challenges, including but not limited to posing a threat to security and privacy threats.
Collecting data and measuring clinical outcomes it not new to nursing; however, utilizing electronic health records (EHRs) is done with ease and in real-time NURS 6051S Week 5 Discussion: Big Data Risks and Rewards. By adding innovative big data technologies, clinical decision support for nurses has become more precise, more predictive, and more meaningful for many outcomes, including clinical deterioration; falls with injury; pressure ulcers; delirium; and healthcare-associated infections from urinary catheters, central lines, or surgical sites (Linnen, 2016). Patient care is improved as clinicians are able to identify the most effective course of treatment for an individual based on the data and trends that are available in the EHR. Additionally, monitoring a patient’s vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, oxygen saturation, and glucose are done with the touch of a button and one can identify trends and risks more quickly, minimizing adverse events NURS 6051S Week 5 Discussion: Big Data Risks and Rewards.
Data security is the number one priority for healthcare organizations, especially in the wake of a rapid-fire series of high profile breaches, hackings, and ransomware episodes (Bresnick, 2019). There is a list of technical safeguards imposed by the HIPPA Security Rule that healthcare organizations must follow, however, an organization can still be taken down very easily due to human error. Staff must be reminded and educated about hospital policy, updating software and opening emails from an unknown source, and the threats they present. Recently in Massachusetts, some staff members at several hospitals received erroneous emails claiming to be the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services seeking statistical information about COVID 19 NURS 6051S Week 5 Discussion: Big Data Risks and Rewards. These types of phishing attempts increase concern for privacy breeches and in some cases have taken over the hospital data systems requiring the hospital to enter into financial negotiations in order to regain control of their data system. Through increased protection with filtering external emails, updating software regularly, using multi-factor authentication, and educating staff to avoid malicious email links organizations are able to prevent these types of attacks.
Bresnick, J. (2019, June 19). Top 10 Challenges of Big Data Analytics in Healthcare. https://healthitanalytics.com/news/top-10-challenges-of-big-data-analytics-in-healthcare.
Linnen, D. (2016). The Promise of Big Data Improving Patient Safety and Nursing Practice . https://nursing.ceconnection.com/ovidfiles/00152193-201605000-00009.pdf.
Sensmeier, J. (2016). Understanding the impact of big data on nursing knowledge. https://www.nursingcenter.com/journalarticle?Article_ID=3371783.
Jastania, R., Nageeti, T., Al-Juhani, H., Basahel, A., Aljuraid, R., Alanazi, A., Aldosari, H., & Aldosari, B. (2019). Utilizing Big Data in Healthcare, How to Maximize Its Value. Studies in Health Technology & Informatics, 262, 356-359. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenlibrary.org/10.3233/SHTI190092. NURS 6051S Week 5 Discussion: Big Data Risks and Rewards
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