AUTHOR=Cascini Fidelia , Santaroni Federico , Lanzetti Riccardo , Failla Giovanna , Gentili Andrea , Ricciardi Walter 

TITLE=Developing a Data-Driven Approach in Order to Improve the Safety and Quality of Patient Care

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.667819

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2021.667819

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> To improve the safety and quality of patient care in hospitals by shaping clinical pathways throughout the patient journey.</p><p><bold>Study Setting:</bold> A risk model designed for healthcare organizations in the context of the challenges arising from comorbidity and other treatment-related complexities.</p><p><bold>Study Design:</bold> The core of the model is the patient and his intra-hospital journey, which is analyzed using a data-driven approach. The structure of a predictive model to support organizational and clinical decision-making activities is explained. Data relating to each step of the intra-hospital journey (from hospital admission to discharge) are extracted from clinical records.</p><p><bold>Principal Findings:</bold> The proposed approach is feasible and can be used effectively to improve safety and quality. It enables the evaluation of clinical risks at each step of the patient journey.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Based on data from real cases, the model can record and calculate, over time, variables and behaviors that affect the safety and quality of healthcare organizations. This provides a greater understanding of healthcare processes and their complexity which can, in turn, advance research relating to clinical pathways and improve strategies adopted by organizations.</p>