The healthcare industry is a complex system with many moving parts. As a result, today’s healthcare leaders need expertise in a range of areas, including business strategy, human resources, finance and information technology.
Designed for working nurses, Arkansas State University’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Nurse Administrator program equips aspiring healthcare leaders with advanced operational knowledge and clinical skills so they can influence decisions that optimize and improve healthcare systems. Students develop expertise in key areas of leadership such as budgeting, healthcare law and policy, applied clinical research and healthcare management. The program, which can be completed in as few as 14 months, prepares graduates for in-demand upper-management roles in healthcare.
The Role of Technology in Healthcare Operations
Today’s healthcare leaders must have a strong understanding of technology solutions and an ability to make data-driven decisions. According to global health advocate and public health strategist Njoi Gitto, “the effective use of data analytics has emerged as a cornerstone for driving operational efficiency, enhancing clinical decision-making and optimizing population health management.” Data can be particularly useful for identifying bottlenecks in routine processes, which in turn helps managers decide how best to allocate resources for maximum impact.
A key example cited by Gitto is the use of data analytics to predict patient demand. This can allow healthcare managers to identify appropriate staffing solutions at their institutions and adjust accordingly, which can both reduce hospital waiting times and increase patient satisfaction. Data can also have a direct impact on clinical outcomes. “By aggregating and analyzing patient data from disparate sources, including electronic health records, medical imaging and genetic information, clinicians can gain deeper insights into individual patient needs and preferences,” Gitto writes.
Similarly, one often-overlooked strategy for healthcare managers is the deployment of business intelligence (BI), which involves transforming raw data into meaningful, actionable insights. That’s according to Charter Global, a provider of cutting-edge digital transformation solutions. For example, BI has the potential to assist in waste reduction, helping managers eliminate excess inventory, duplicate services and unnecessary procedures.
Linking Operational Efficiency to Clinical Outcomes
The challenges facing healthcare managers are numerous and continue to grow. CDW, a provider of IT solutions, notes that such challenges include rising costs, burdensome processes, staff burnout and inadequate workforces. While there is no management silver bullet, some approaches that can mitigate these problems include leveraging existing technologies more effectively to streamline both solutions and processes, according to CDW.
More efficient operations are important because they have the potential to create better clinical outcomes for patients, which should be the primary goal of any healthcare provider. “Ultimately, these efforts decrease manual processes, increase communication and coordination among care teams and enable organizations to deliver higher-quality care more efficiently,” states CDW. “They can make a significant difference in alleviating clinician burnout and creating a better experience for patients.”
How To Make an Impact in Healthcare Through Management
Making a difference in today’s complex healthcare landscape might seem like a daunting task. But A-State’s online MSN – Nurse Administrator program is specifically designed to help graduates bring change from the top down through effective leadership and management. The tools A-State students acquire through courses like Budgeting and Financial Management help them pair specific knowledge of financial planning with nursing practice and healthcare delivery.
The healthcare industry and the systems that support it will continue to change. As an article in the journal Cureus points out, “emerging technologies, evolving healthcare policies and persistent challenges” continue to be central drivers of these shifts. A-State’s online MSN – Nurse Administrator program prepares graduates to stay ahead of the curve, ready to implement new methods and technology to continually improve patient outcomes.
Learn more about Arkansas State University’s online MSN – Nurse Administrator program.