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A method for rapid acquisition of data from dispersed individuals
Donald E Fetterolf1, Russ Michael
1Healthcare Informatics and Research, Pittsburgh, Pa., USA.
Summary
A new data collection system efficiently gathers information from dispersed organizations. This system rapidly collects, organizes, and analyzes data with minimal administrative costs, improving disease management initiative evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Information Systems
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Dispersed organizations face challenges in data collection due to varied information systems.
- Efficient data collection is crucial for evaluating healthcare management initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and implement a versatile data-collection system for dispersed organizations.
- To evaluate disease state and medical management initiatives within healthcare plans.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire was developed using Microsoft Excel and common software tools.
- Data was collected via email and imported into a Microsoft Access database.
- A streamlined process allowed for rapid data entry (approx. 20 seconds per questionnaire).
Main Results:
- The system successfully collected and analyzed information from 90% of member organizations.
- A comprehensive 24-page report on managed care was generated.
- Minimal secretarial time and administrative costs were incurred.
Conclusions:
- The developed data-collection system is highly applicable to dispersed organizations with diverse IT infrastructures.
- The system enables efficient evaluation of healthcare management and disease state initiatives.
- This approach significantly reduces administrative burden and costs in data analysis.