Viju Raghupathi

Big data analytics in healthcare: promise and potential

ObjectiveTo describe the promise and potential of big data analytics in healthcare.MethodsThe paper describes the nascent field of big data analytics in healthcare, discusses the benefits, outlines an architectural framework and methodology, describes examples reported in the literature, briefly discusses the challenges, and offers conclusions.ResultsThe paper provides a broad overview of big data analytics for healthcare researchers and practitioners.ConclusionsBig data analytics in healthcare is evolving into a promising field for providing insight from very large data sets and improving outcomes while reducing costs. Its potential is great; however there remain challenges to overcome.

An Overview of Health Analytics

Objectives: We examine the emerging health analytics field by describing the different health analytics and providing examples of various applications. Methods: The paper discusses different definitions of health analytics, describes the four stages of health analytics, its architectural framework, development methodology, and examples in public health. Results: The paper provides a broad overview of health analytics for researchers and practitioners. Conclusions: Health analytics is rapidly emerging as a key and distinct application of health information technology. The key objective of health analytics is to gain insight for making informed healthcare decisions.

Web-Based Corporate Governance Information Disclosure: An Empirical Investigation

Effective and timely use of the Internet, with a navigable and regularly-updated corporate Web site, can improve perceptions about a companys transparency vis-i-vis corporate governance practices. Based on an empirical analysis of data from 30 company Web sites in the DJIA, we conclude that a majority of companies underutilize their Web sites in communicating corporate governance information. Nearly all companies provide only routine content disclosure using minimal Web design features. A proactive display of compliance and due diligence content is largely absent, and most companies have yet to exploit advanced Web technologies to the fullest. Companies with better quality content and design appear to have higher corporate governance quotient CGQ ratings thereby implying greater transparency. The resultant framework can help companies vastly improve their Web sites by including more content that reflects due diligence and transparency and implementing Web 2.0 and other advanced technologies. Companies serious about transparency will adopt a more strategic approach to Web content and design. The lists of variables we identify can serve as checklists and/or templates for executives and researchers.

Exploring the Relationship between ICTs and Public Health at Country Level: A Health Analytics Approach

The authors use a health analytics approach to investigate the relationship between information and communication technology (ICT) and public health at a country level. The research uses the ICT factors of accessibility, usage, quality, affordability, trade, and applications, as well as the public delivery indicators of adolescent fertility rate, child immunization for DPT, child immunization for measles, tuberculosis detection rate, life expectancy, adult female mortality rate, and adult male mortality rate. ICT data was collected from the International Telecommunication Union ICT Indicator database. The public health data was collected from the World Bank website. Results of the analytics indicate that ICT factors are positively associated with some public health indicators. Nearly all of the ICT factors are positively associated with the public health indicators of immunization rates, TB detection rates, and life expectancy. The association with adult mortality is negative, which is also favorable. However, the association of ICT with fertility rate is negative, which is an unfavorable effect. These results offer insight into the importance of understanding the positive and adverse impacts of ICT on public health so as to guide national policy decisions in the future.

The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Global Sustainability: A Review

This article discusses ways in which ICTs contribute to several aspects of global sustainability. We examine how economic development, education, energy, environment, and transportation at the country level benefit from ICTs, along with several orders of effects on global sustainability. We also examine rebound effects. The anecdotal and theoretical research suggests that the impact of ICTs is felt primarily in sustainable development. We thus identify the key challenges to be addressed in bringing about an ICTs-based sustainable world. Studying the macro impacts of ICT investments can also guide countries in setting policy and making selective investments in ICTs that will promote global sustainability.

A Neural Network Analysis of Treatment Quality and Efficiency of Hospitals

Abstract Objectives: Due to the escalating healthcare expenditure and the number of hospitalizations, it is becoming increasingly important for healthcare organizations to evaluate the cost and improve the quality and efficiency of treatment. Method: We deploy neural networks to examine the strategic association between hospitalization experience and treatment results. The healthcare data for the years 2009-2012 is downloaded from the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) of the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). We operationalize the hospitalization experience using the indicators facility ID, procedure description, type of admission, patient disposition upon discharge, APR severity of illness, source of payment, and age group; and the treatment result using indicators hospital length of stay and APR risk of mortality Results: Our findings show that there are significant differences in length of stay and mortality rates depending on the treatment procedure. Treatment result shows a strong association with procedure and with the patients’ disposition upon discharge. Interestingly, under similar health conditions, patients who are under the public healthcare system tend to have longer length of hospital stays than others. Conclusions: We offer a portfolio of factors to be considered in evaluating patient health outcomes from hospitalization. We emphasize the need for efficient utilization of investment in healthcare, be it public or private.

Benchmarking Hospital Performance Using Health Analytics

Abstract Background: The objective of this study is to investigate hospital performance using an emerging analytics approach. Given that hospital care accounts for a large segment of healthcare spending, it is essential that hospital performance be measured over time to determine whether and where there is room for improvement in some of its critical success factors, and if there are savings to be found. Methods: Employing indicators such as hospital cost, in-hospital death rate, length of hospital stay, and the number of discharges from the hospital, we look at the trends for these indicators over a 10-year period. Data was extracted from the National Statistics Database of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP.net), and Cognos and Tableau were used as visualization and analysis tools. Results: Our central finding is that over the 10-year analysis period, U.S. hospitals improved in several areas, including reduction in length of stay in hospitals, reduction in number of in-hospital deaths, and increase in number of discharges from hospitals. Despite these improvements, however, the cost of healthcare rose significantly. Conclusions: We show how healthcare administrators can learn from past performance in determining where to focus attention and improve outcomes. We also present a global perspective of healthcare and propose how critical it is for the U.S. to focus on major reduction in healthcare costs, beginning with hospital charges.

The awareness of diabetes, its complications, and preventive measures in a developing country

Abstract Diabetes is a common disease affecting the general population in developing countries. According to the Diabetes Association of Nigeria, about six million people have reported to be living with diabetes in Nigeria. In this paper, the authors conducted a survey of educated and non-educated individuals on the awareness of diabetes and of its complications. Our results show that while there is no significant difference in the awareness of the disease, the educated group showed more awareness of its complications. Based on our results, we conclude that an effective healthcare promotional strategy should aim for awareness of both the disease and its complications. Mere awareness of the disease without cognizance of its complications will not be effective in improving healthcare in developing countries such as Nigeria.

Facebook advertisements and purchase of weight-loss products

Social networks such as Facebook are increasingly used as a platform for healthcare marketing. We study the role of advertisements on Facebook and their influence on consumer purchases of weight-lo...

Preventive Healthcare: A Neural Network Analysis of Behavioral Habits and Chronic Diseases

The research aims to explore the association between behavioral habits and chronic diseases, and to identify a portfolio of risk factors for preventive healthcare. The data is taken from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) database of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for the year 2012. Using SPSS Modeler, we deploy neural networks to identify strong positive and negative associations between certain chronic diseases and behavioral habits. The data for 475,687 records from BRFS database included behavioral habit variables of consumption of soda and fruits/vegetables, alcohol, smoking, weekly working hours, and exercise; chronic disease variables of heart attack, stroke, asthma, and diabetes; and demographic variables of marital status, income, and age. Our findings indicate that with chronic conditions, behavioral habits of physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption are negatively associated; soda, alcohol, and smoking are positively associated; and income and age are positively associated. We contribute to individual and national preventive healthcare by offering a portfolio of significant behavioral risk factors that enable individuals to make lifestyle changes and governments to frame campaigns and policies countering chronic conditions and promoting public health.