Hospital Case Study Report: Data Management Solution

Introduction

The primary objective of this paper is to analyse the importance of data handling and data management in the context of the case study organisation and various challenges and issues that have been presented in the respective case study. These challenges and issues have been addressed in the later sections of the paper. In the current scenario, the hospital cannot manage data by a significant margin. Due to this, the hospital employees were not able to retrieve data promptly which affected the productivity of the hospital. For this reason, the hospital is not able to maintain its integrity which is affecting its capabilities regarding customer satisfaction. The assignment aims to analyze the development of a data management strategy to manipulate customer data effectively. 

Issues In Data Handling

• Changing Data: The primary issue that the hospital is being subjected to is manipulating data that plays a significant role in improving its capabilities. This is due to the constant change of data along with the existence of various types of data both of which played a significant role in improving the capabilities of the hospital. 

• Complexity of data handling process: From this, it can be identified that the complexity of data handling is not the primary issue but is the process time-consuming (Taş, 2023, p.3). Due to this, they are not being able to provide the patients with effective medication. This may be due to the management of data as all of this is stored in the server which is on the premises. Despite this, data is likely stored in a haphazard manner which leads to the creation of complexity. As a result, it played a major role in hindering the capabilities of the hospital which led to the creation of its growth. 

• Data Loss: This issue is further augmented by the loss of data which sometimes leads to the negative satisfaction of the patients. For all these reasons, it is responsible for affecting the productivity of the hospital for which it is not able to provide timely interventions to the patients (Ciasullo et al. 2022, p.2). 

All in all, this can be justified with the help of ever-changing data that is responsible for affecting the capabilities of retrieving all those data. This is significant as it is not allowing the professional to access patient data when required. For this reason, it plays a significant role in improving the capabilities of the hospital. 

All in all, the challenges regarding data handling are negatively affecting the capabilities of the hospital which has affected its overall productivity. This is the primary reason why the hospital is not being able to provide effective treatment to the patients. 

Data Management Operations Needed To Tackle The Issues

• Data Storage: One of the crucial data management operations that can help the hospital is systematically storage of data. The emphasis on such an aspect can be observed from the case study as the data storage capabilities of the hospital have been performed haphazardly or poorly.
  
  For instance, the current data storage of the hospital includes network access storage and local disks which are then backed up by the servers all on a local network (Chawinga & Zinn, 2020, p.3). From this, it can be observed that the data storage capabilities of the hospital follow a trivial method which could lead to loss of data. One of the methods of data operations is regarding flexibility and scalability of data both of which are responsible for expanding the capabilities of the server. 

• Data Privacy: Another contemporary issue is regarding the privacy of data that plays a major role in improving the capabilities of the hospital. This played a major role in protecting the information of the patients which plays a major role in improving their satisfaction.
  
  On the other hand, data privacy is considered to be one such method that is significant for valued patients (Nisar et al., 2021, p.2). However, it plays a major role in improving the capabilities of the hospital which leads to its growth if can be implemented properly. One such measure is to improve the security of the system which is significant in improving its overall capabilities. 

• Data governance: Data governance is considered to be a method that plays a significant role in improving the capabilities of the hospital. It is a combined method that plays a beneficial role in improving the management of data. This includes maintaining its integrity which plays a major role in improving the usability of data (Micheli et al. 2020, p.2).
  
  It can ensure that the employees of the hospital can use the data so that effective intervention can be provided to the patient. Due to this, the hospital must be able to formulate measures that play a significant role in developing the capabilities of the hospital. 

• Masterdata and Metadata: The hospital must define the measure of master data and metadata both of which have their benefits. One such data is known as master data which plays a beneficial role in storing all the critical details of the patients. This also includes their past data which plays a major role in improving their capabilities significantly.
  
  A crucial aspect of master data is that it eliminates the chances of data redundancy (Haug et al. 2023, p.2). This can help to prevent any data loss which is one of the current issues of the hospital. On the other hand, metadata defines the type of data that includes the description of data which along with master data can enable the hospital to manage its data properly. 

All in all, such data management processes help maintain the quality of data and ensure that the handling process does not contain any flaws. Thus enabling the hospital to store and collect data which is responsible for affecting its productivity significantly. 

Steps to be taken to improve their overall workflow and operational efficiency

The case study provided the flaws that are affecting the productivity of the hospital significantly. It is due to the poor data handling process that plays a major role in delaying the services of the hospital. As a result, it must be able to devise a workflow strategy for improving the operational efficiencies of the hospital. 

• Automated tasks: One of the methods that can be undertaken by the hospital is the automation of repetitive tasks. It is necessary as performing repetitive tasks can lead to errors which could lead to loss of data (Calhoun, 2022, p.3). This is where the role of task automation plays a beneficial role that is necessary for performing such monotonous tasks. In the end, it can reduce the number of errors which could help in handling data effectively. 

• Cleaning unnecessary data: Another method that can be undertaken by the hospital is the cleaning of data that are required once. For instance, such type of data includes entering the data of a single patient more than once. This is not necessary and can result in taking up significant space with no positive impact. Due to this, the cleaning process is necessary which can free up spaces in the server and could not lead to data loss. 

• Cloud-based platform: It can be observed that the hospital is still using a physical server which requires extensive management so that data cannot be lost. For this reason, it must be able to use a cloud-based platform which can improve the data storing process (Wang et al. 2020, p.2). One benefit of such a cloud-based platform is little to no maintenance as it is managed by the vendor. For this reason, it can reduce the complexity of data handling which plays a beneficial role in easing the burden on the employees. 

Proposed Data Management Strategy

The primary issue of the hospital is regarding the process of data handling which leads to the slowing of the overall retrieval process. Due to this, the proposed data management strategy must be developed in such a manner that it can lead to the convenience of the employees. This can lead to fast access to data which is the most trivial issue that is being faced by the hospital. 

• Overview of master data management: The proposed data management strategy can be beneficial for the hospital is known as master data management. This is significant as it allows the management of data from the perspective of uniformity and consistency of data. All of these are significant as they can help in managing patient data without much hassle (Ashiq et al. 2022, p.3).
  
  To be more precise, it focuses on the coordination of data as the hospital uses many local servers along with local disks to store data. The coordination among them can help in finding data more effectively which could enable the employees to improve the treatment of the patients. 

• Components of master data: Various components of master data can help in improving the capabilities of the hospital. For instance, one of the components of master data is the integration of data which could help improve the capabilities of the hospital.
  
  Another component is regarding the quality of data that can help the employees understand the condition of a patient more accurately. Another method is the governance of data so that it cannot affect the productivity of the hospital significantly. 

All in all, the purpose of the proposed strategy is to effectively manage data which plays a significant role in improving the data retrieval process. In the end, it can help in developing the services of the hospital thus improving its various medical capabilities such as MRI, CT scans along with many others. 

Methods to implement the approach

The case study provided the challenges that are responsible for affecting the capabilities of the hospital. Due to this, the proposed data management strategy includes master data management which can improve the data handling method to retrieve data in an organized manner. However, it can be developed with the help of certain methods to ensure overall development. 

• Employee training: The case study provided the information that the employees of the hospital are not efficient in maintaining data. This may be due to their lack of expertise which led the hospital to such circumstances (Awan et al. 2020, p.4). For this reason, the concept of master data management can be a complex endeavor for employees. As a result, they need to be provided with adequate training to ensure that they learn the usage of the data management strategy for ensuring overall growth.

• Data management tools: The tool that is considered to be most effective in developing master data is known as SAP Master Data Governance. This can help the hospital to develop new methods to improve the process of master data. Thus enabling the employees to manage customer data effectively which can help in retrieving data in a more fast and precise manner. 

Schematic of a suitable data architecture

 
Figure 1: Data Architecture
(Source: self-made)

The above-mentioned architecture is considered to be the most suitable for the hospital to effectively manage its data which helps in improving the process of data handling and increasing the speed of accessing data. To be more precise, the current system incorporates the measure of master data management which includes various elements.

One of the elements of the architecture is the cloud server which acts as an additional layer of security. This can act as a backup server in which all crucial data is to be stored which includes the critical patient data. It is then backed up by various local servers that are responsible for storing critical information of the users. In any case, such crucial data can be exchanged between the local and cloud servers both of which nullify the chances of data loss. 

Another two elements are regarding the doctors or employees who are responsible for providing medication to the patients. Another element is regarding the patients who are to provide critical information that is to be accessed by the employees. In turn, the employees are to access data that are uploaded which plays a major role in improving the capabilities of the hospital. 

Conclusion

The assignment helped in finding and developing a solution for a hospital which is currently struggling with the data management process such as complexity of data handling and complexity of data. Due to such reasons, it is not being able to provide adequate health services to its customers. For this reason, it must consider the development of master data management that is significant in managing data. In the end, it can help the hospital to improve its customer service which can help in its overall development. This can enable the hospital to manage its customer service which is responsible for affecting its capabilities. 

Top Management Samples

References 

Ashiq, M., Usmani, M. H., & Naeem, M. (2022). A systematic literature review on research data management practices and services. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, 71(8/9), 649-671. DOI 10.1108/GKMC-07-2020-0103
Awan, S. H., Habib, N., Shoaib Akhtar, C., & Naveed, S. (2020). Effectiveness of performance management system for employee performance through engagement. SAGE open, 10(4), 2158244020969383. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020969383
Calhoun, G. (2022). Adaptable (not adaptive) automation: Forefront of human–automation teaming. Human factors, 64(2), 269-277. DOI:10.1177/00187208211037457
Chawinga, W. D., & Zinn, S. (2020). Research data management at a public university in Malawi: the role of “three hands”. Library Management, 41(6/7), 467-485. DOI 10.1108/LM-03-2020-0042
Ciasullo, M. V., Lim, W. M., Manesh, M. F., & Palumbo, R. (2022). The patient as a prosumer of healthcare: insights from a bibliometric-interpretive review. Journal of Health Organization and Management, 36(9), 133-157. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-11-2021-0401
Haug, A., Staskiewicz, A. M., & Hvam, L. (2023). Strategies for Master Data Management: A Case Study of an International Hearing Healthcare Company. Information Systems Frontiers, 25(5), 1903-1923. DOI: 10.1007/s10796-022-10323-z
Micheli, M., Ponti, M., Craglia, M., & Berti Suman, A. (2020). Emerging models of data governance in the age of datafication. Big Data & Society, 7(2), 2053951720948087. https://doi.org/10.1177/2053951720948087
Nisar, Q. A., Nasir, N., Jamshed, S., Naz, S., Ali, M., & Ali, S. (2021). Big data management and environmental performance: role of big data decision-making capabilities and decision-making quality. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 34(4), 1061-1096. DOI 10.1108/JEIM-04-2020-0137
Taş, E. (2023). Data literacy education through university-industry collaboration. Information and Learning Sciences. DOI 10.1108/ILS-06-2023-0077
Wang, X., Chen, X., Ye, H., Liu, Y., & Zhang, G. (2020). Cloud-based experimental platform for the space-ground integrated network. Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing, 2020, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8893187