What does a data-driven culture mean? According to this case study from the Center for Care Innovations (CCI), it means staff at all levels use data to inform and guide clinical, operational and financial decisions. They understand the difference between qualitative and quantitative data and the role that each plays in decision making. They can relate their daily activities to the bar charts, dashboards and other performance visualizations that are displayed in the health center or in staff meetings, and there is a transparent process for prioritizing analytic efforts and data access. In a data-driven organization, leaders and staff embrace data.

No matter how new payment and care models evolve, the organizations that take the best care of patients in the most cost effective way will thrive. When clinical outcomes must be balanced with operational efficiency, a data driven culture can mean the difference between a good healthcare organization and an outstanding one. CCI’s Safety Net Analytics Program (SNAP) supported participants in developing and spreading an awareness of the critical importance of data and analytics throughout their organizations.