Discussion: The Application of Data to Problem-Solving

Data in the health care sector is important as health care providers make decisions that
are evidence-based. One of the problems that could be saved through data collection and
application is Opioid use in the U.S. It is a problem that has affected many families in the U.S,
with opioid misuse being the leading cause of accidental deaths, more than even road accidents.
However, through data collection and analysis, it is a problem that can be solved. Analysts could
look at pharmacy data and insurance data, and come with a correct prediction whether a certain
individual is at risk of abusing opioids.
It is not enough too just look at the visits that one makes to the doctor’s office because
this may not provide adequate data on the frequency of use of certain drugs. However, by
looking at a patient’s conditions, the frequency of visits to the doctor, and the amount the insurer
pays for medical drugs could provide enough information for a conclusion to be made
(McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). The information is then analyzed, and people who are identified
to be at a “high risk” are then helped by nurses and other practitioners to deal with the issue
(Nagle et al., 2017).
Prevention of the use of medical drugs is a serious undertaking as a person could be ill,
and the drugs provide the relief that they need. However, using the data to mitigate the issue and
explain to the individual why the continuous use of certain drugs could be destructive would help
people make informed decisions about their health options. Also, opioid misuse is costing a lot
of money, and destroying people’s lives, thus, using data to come up with solutions would help

solve the problems (Sweeney, 2017). A nurse leader could use information to revolutionalize
provision of health services if it is correctly collected and analyzed.

References

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge
(4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Nagle, L. M., Sermeus, W., Junger, A., & Bloomberg, L. S. (2017). Evolving Role of the
Nursing Informatics Specialist. Forecasting Informatics Competencies for Nurses in the
Future of Connected Health, 212.
Sweeney, J. (2017). Healthcare informatics. Online Journal of Nursing Informatics, 21(1).