Influence of Data Analytics on Health Care.

Review the following admission and discharge rates from a local hospital within a 24-hour period.

Admissions

896 on Jan. 1, 2017
649 on Jan. 2, 2017
Discharges

764 on Jan. 1, 2017
543 on Jan. 2, 2017
Answer the prompts using the information provided.

Identify the information above that represents a data set. How do you know this is a data set?
Identify the information above that represents a database. How do you know this is a database?
What was the discharge rate for Jan. 2, 2017?
What was the admission rate for Jan. 3, 2017?
Which day had the highest percentage of patients discharged within the 24-hour period?
What can you infer from this data? What important information is missing from this data?

Full Answer Section

       

Calculating Discharge and Admission Rates

  • Discharge Rate for Jan. 2, 2017: 543 discharges / 649 admissions = 83.67%
  • Admission Rate for Jan. 3, 2017: Cannot be determined from the given data. We only have data for Jan. 1 and Jan. 2.

Day with Highest Discharge Percentage

  • Jan. 1, 2017: 764 discharges / 896 admissions = 85.28%
  • Jan. 2, 2017: 543 discharges / 649 admissions = 83.67%

Jan. 1, 2017 had the highest percentage of patients discharged within the 24-hour period.

Inferences and Missing Information

Inferences:

  • The hospital experienced a higher admission rate on Jan. 1 compared to Jan. 2.
  • The overall discharge rate was relatively high on both days, suggesting efficient patient turnover.

Missing Information:

  • Patient Demographics: Information about the age, gender, and health conditions of the patients would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the admissions and discharges.
  • Length of Stay: Data on the average length of stay for patients would help assess the efficiency of hospital care.
  • Reasons for Admission: Knowing the primary reasons for admissions would provide insights into the types of services offered by the hospital.
  • Follow-up Care: Information on the number of patients referred for follow-up care would help evaluate the hospital's discharge planning process.
  • Readmission Rates: Data on readmissions within a specific timeframe would indicate the effectiveness of the hospital's care and discharge planning.
 

Sample Answer

   

Identifying Data Set and Database

  • Data Set: The information provided on admissions and discharges for Jan. 1 and Jan. 2, 2017, represents a data set. A data set is a collection of data points or observations related to a particular topic or phenomenon. In this case, the data points are the number of admissions and discharges on each day.
  • Database: The data presented does not constitute a database. A database is a structured collection of data that can be accessed, managed, and updated using a database management system (DBMS). The given information is a simple table of data, not a full-fledged database.