C-suite studies show data convergence, analytics critical for health care providers

Studies reveal providers increasingly rely on data-driven decisions

HIMSS12 Annual Conference & Exhibition, LAS VEGAS  (Feb. 20, 2012)  – Health care providers, struggling to adapt to emerging payment models that reward value over volume, are turning to analytics to survive. C-suite executives from leading health care delivery organizations across the United States reveal their challenges and strategies in two complementary studies conducted for SAS, the leader in health analytics software and services.

The studies shed light on the need to integrate a myriad of in-patient and out-patient data sources, develop a proactive approach to managing financial risk, and put data-driven insights into doctors' hands to inform decision making at the point of care.

The studies also reveal:

• Government mandates create the need for more sophisticated analytic methods to support clinical, financial and operational decision making.

• Declining reimbursement rates and emerging accountable care models are accelerating the need to establish metrics-driven organizational incentive structures around achievable clinical and financial targets

• Connecting data silos enterprise wide is required for improved understanding of the needs of both individual patients and populations and to accurately reflect provider performance.

• Health care providers are becoming more data driven, increasing their reliance on proactive analytics.

"More than 60 senior executives from leading healthcare delivery organizations opened their doors to us," said Dr. Graham Hughes, MD, SAS Chief Medical Officer. "The big 'aha' is that they clearly realize the untapped value of the data they already collect, but lack many of the deeper analytic insights needed to maximally improve patient outcomes, address reimbursement challenges, and improve margins. The good news is that these leading organizations have a clear vision for how their data can be leveraged in a more strategic way, and they have recognized the potential for advanced analytics to transform their ability to deliver sustained high-quality patient care at the lowest appropriate cost." SAS engaged NewGrowth Consulting Inc. and Sage Growth Partners to conduct the study during a three-month period in late 2011.

Visit the SAS Web site to download two white papers resulting from the studies: The Changing Landscape for U.S. Healthcare Providers and The Changing Role of Analytics for Healthcare Providers. You also can register at the site to receive a copy of SAS' health care industry call-to-action report when it becomes available in April.

SAS in Health Analytics

SAS is the industry leader in health analytics software and services, delivering best-in-class solutions for improving medical care, strengthening financial performance, deepening customer relationships, and pursuing medical innovations. All of the top 25 health plans and pharmaceutical companies depend on SAS for strategic insights into health outcomes, profitability, and customer preferences and behaviors that produce useful intelligence for business transformation and growth. Brigham and Women's Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, Healthways and McKesson are among the leading health care companies that use SAS.

Learn more about SAS in health analytics by visiting Booth 1074 at the HIMSS12 Annual Conference & Exhibition, Feb. 20-24, at the Venetian Sands Expo Center, in Las Vegas. On Tuesday, Feb. 21, during HIMSS12, SAS executives Dr. Graham Hughes, MD, and Cindy Berry will present Using Analytics to Understand and Manage ACO Risk from 2:15 to 3 p.m., at Kiosk 5, Booth 6466 in Hall D.

Visit SAS® for Health Care Providers and SAS® for Health Insurance for more information.

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