iratory infections to injuries and accidents, the use and abuse of cigarettes, alcohol, pills and drugs is a major cause of many diseases that eventually result in hospitalizations for which Medicare pays.” Detection of alcohol and abuse is fairly simple with short screening questionnaires available on the internet.

In the article “Changing Physici

Data driven decision-making seems to be a hot topic in healthcare today. Actually, it is a process that manufacturers have used a long time. The Toyota Quality process is built upon data; it is one reason they are the leading maker of quality auto products. Using this concept in healthcare will lead to improved outcomes both for patients and providers. It does take a focused effort to use such an approach.

Let me first illustrate two situations where providers either chose to ignore evidence or had not collected evidence and were making errors because of this. In the report of research on alcohol and primary care physician interaction, titled “How Primary Care Physicians Talk to Patients About Alcohol,” it was noted that 29 patients told their physicians that they were either abusing alcohol or thought they were addicted to alcohol. In only one case did the physician follow through with a discussion about the behavior of the patient and make a recommendation about changing habits. Clearly the physicians were ignoring evidence of behavior with serious consequences. From a Columbia University study of the impact of alcohol and other drugs on the Medicare system it was stated that “Nearly one out of every four dollars Medicare spends on inpatient hospital care, and one out of every five Medicare hospital admissions, are attributable to substance abuse. From cancer to stroke and heart disease, from respiratory infections to injuries and accidents, the use and abuse of cigarettes, alcohol, pills and drugs is a major cause of many diseases that eventually result in hospitalizations for which Medicare pays.” Detection of alcohol and abuse is fairly simple with short screening questionnaires available on the internet.

In the article “Changing Physicia

It does take a focused effort to use such an approach.

Let me first illustrate two situations where providers either chose to ignore evidence or had not collected evidence and were making errors because of this. In the report of research on alcohol and primary care physician interaction, titled “How Primary Care Physicians Talk to Patients About Alcohol,” it was noted that 29 patients told their physicians that they were either abusing alcohol or thought they were addicted to alcohol. In only one case did the physician follow through with a discussion about the behavior of the patient and make a recommendation about changing habits. Clearly the physicians were ignoring evidence of behavior with serious consequences. From a Columbia University study of the impact of alcohol and other drugs on the Medicare system it was stated that “Nearly one out of every four dollars Medicare spends on inpatient hospital care, and one out of every five Medicare hospital admissions, are attributable to substance abuse. From cancer to stroke and heart disease, from respiratory infections to injuries and accidents, the use and abuse of cigarettes, alcohol, pills and drugs is a major cause of many diseases that eventually result in hospitalizations for which Medicare pays.” Detection of alcohol and abuse is fairly simple with short screening questionnaires available on the internet.

In the article “Changing Physici

hol,” it was noted that 29 patients told their physicians that they were either abusing alcohol or thought they were addicted to alcohol. In only one case did the physician follow through with a discussion about the behavior of the patient and make a recommendation about changing habits. Clearly the physicians were ignoring evidence of behavior with serious consequences. From a Columbia University study of the impact of alcohol and other drugs on the Medicare system it was stated that “Nearly one out of every four dollars Medicare spends on inpatient hospital care, and one out of every five Medicare hospital admissions, are attributable to substance abuse. From cancer to stroke and heart disease, from respiratory infections to injuries and accidents, the use and abuse of cigarettes, alcohol, pills and drugs is a major cause of many diseases that eventually result in hospitalizations for which Medicare pays.” Detection of alcohol and abuse is fairly simple with short screening questionnaires available on the internet.

In the article “Changing Physici

us consequences. From a Columbia University study of the impact of alcohol and other drugs on the Medicare system it was stated that “Nearly one out of every four dollars Medicare spends on inpatient hospital care, and one out of every five Medicare hospital admissions, are attributable to substance abuse. From cancer to stroke and heart disease, from respiratory infections to injuries and accidents, the use and abuse of cigarettes, alcohol, pills and drugs is a major cause of many diseases that eventually result in hospitalizations for which Medicare pays.” Detection of alcohol and abuse is fairly simple with short screening questionnaires available on the internet.

In the article “Changing Physici

iratory infections to injuries and accidents, the use and abuse of cigarettes, alcohol, pills and drugs is a major cause of many diseases that eventually result in hospitalizations for which Medicare pays.” Detection of alcohol and abuse is fairly simple with short screening questionnaires available on the internet.

In the article “Changing Physician Practice Behavior” in the Journal of Family Practice it was stated that 36% of all physicians fail to notify their patients of abnormal test results. The failure to do so can have dire consequences. This is a good illustration of practices failing to gather data about patterns of behavior. Perhaps you are aware of such an occasional lapse in your practice but don’t think it is a serious problem. To be sure, I suggest that you collect a random sample of patient charts in which either preventive tests or diagnostic tests presented abnormal results. Then, find the percent in which patients were not notified. If the percent is too high in your opinion then put in place a process to prevent such mistakes and regularly check on its effectiveness.

Now let me illustrate two situations where data is used to drive decisions. I happen to be involved in both and have seen the positive results first hand. The first involves the alignment of prevention services in the area of alcohol and other drugs. Under the direction of Community Systems Investments International of Louisville, Kentucky several organizations in Kent County Michigan are working to prevent duplication of services and making sure they are delivering the most effective prevention services possible to the right populations. At the root of all of their efforts is a strong emphasis on data collection to drive all decisions. The end result should