NURS 6051 BIG DATA RISKS AND REWARDS Benefits and Challenges of Using Big Data in Clinical Settings
One potential benefit of using big data as part of a clinical system is improved patient safety. Studies have proven that utilizing big data analytics can help identify potential risks to patient safety or uncover potential trends or patterns in patient data that could lead to better decisions and treatments (Wang et al., 2018). This can help minimize errors, improve the quality of care, reduce medical costs, and make sure that patients receive the best possible care. By collecting and analyzing data from various sources, healthcare providers can gain insights into patterns and trends that could identify potential safety risks. For example, a hospital could use big data to analyze its medical records to identify trends in patient outcomes in different units such as critical care (Sanchez-Pinto et al., 2018). This could include the types of treatments that are most successful and those associated with the highest mortality rates. With this information, the hospital then takes steps to improve safety by implementing better protocols or changing treatments to reduce the risk of adverse outcomes. Big data can further be applied to detect potential errors or inefficiencies in processes or practices. By analyzing the data, healthcare providers can identify areas where processes can be improved or streamlined to reduce the risk of errors and improve patient outcomes.
One potential challenge or risk of using big data as part of a clinical system is data privacy and security concerns. As healthcare providers increasingly rely on big data to store and analyze patient data, the risk of a data breach or unauthorized access to patient data increases. Data breaches can occur when hackers gain access to a healthcare provider’s network, or when an employee with access to sensitive data unwittingly shares it with an unauthorized third party (Khan et al., 2021). Data breaches can also occur when malicious software is installed on a healthcare provider’s system, allowing unauthorized access to patient data. To protect patient data and ensure privacy, healthcare providers must implement robust data security measures, such as encryption and access control systems. Healthcare organizations must also ensure that all staff members involved in handling patient data are properly trained in data privacy and security protocols.
One strategy to mitigate the challenges and risks of using big data is to develop a comprehensive data governance framework. A data governance framework should include policies and procedures that define how data is used, who has access to it, and how it is protected (Haneem et al., 2019). This framework is developed following relevant laws and regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The organizations should have a dedicated team responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the data governance framework. The framework should include policies and procedures that define who has access to patient data and how it is used, as well as measures to ensure data security and privacy. Healthcare organizations should have a dedicated team responsible for the management and oversight of data governance. This team ought to be composed of experts from various disciplines, such as clinical experts, data scientists, and information technology professionals. With a comprehensive data governance framework in place, healthcare organizations can ensure that patient data is protected, while still being able to take advantage of the potential benefits of big data.
References
Haneem, F., Kama, N., Taskin, N., Pauleen, D., & Abu Bakar, N. A. (2019). Determinants of master data management adoption by local government organizations: An empirical study. International Journal of Information Management, 45, 25–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2018.10.007Links to an external site.
HealthLeaders, H. L. (2016). Big data means big potential, and challenges for nurse execs. HealthLeaders Media. Retrieved March 20, 2023, from https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/nursing/big-data-means-big-potential-challenges-nurse-execsLinks to an external site.
Khan, F., Kim, J. H., Mathiassen, L., & Moore, R. (2021). Data Breach Management: An integrated risk model. Information & Management, 58(1), 103392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2020.103392Links to an external site.