July 29, 2021 | Net Health

3 Minute Read

3 Ways Predictive Analytics Are Changing Wound Care Patient Interactions

For years, the use of predictive analytics in the wound care industry was an exciting thought, but one that really only fully existed in theory. However, that all has changed. We’re now seeing rapid growth and adoption of predictive analytics solutions all across the industry. These changes are starting to drive better patient outcomes, reducing overall costs, and producing higher reimbursements.

One area where we’re seeing a lot of changes is in how wound care clinics interact with patients. Let’s take a look at three ways in particular that leading wound care providers are leveraging predictive analytics to drive better results.

1. Scheduling – Identify Patients at Risk of Missing Visits

How great would it be if you knew which patients were most likely to self-discharge or miss an upcoming visit? Until now, making those determinations wasn’t feasible because it would require clinicians to delve deep into socioeconomic factors for every single patient. Not only is this not their job, but it’s a tedious process—when done manually.

This is one area where predictive analytics is ready to shine. Algorithms can automatically analyze hundreds of different parameters to quickly identify and notify staff when a patient might be at a higher risk for missed visits or self-discharge. These algorithms can look at things like the patient’s distance from treatment, the time of day of the appointment, and even the weather’s effect on attendance.

Once notified, staff has several options to mitigate this risk. These include:

  • Scheduling multiple patients with a higher risk of a missed visit during the same time block
  • Taking the opportunity to provide additional education and encouragement to the patient
  • Setting up additional reminders or check-ins with the patient prior to the appointment

2. Patient Participation – Using Analytics to Build Buy-In

One of the best ways to secure much-needed buy-in from patients on their treatment plan is to show the patient more clearly what to expect during their healing journey. An educated patient who understands what’s happening with their wound and why is much more likely to commit to the process. 

First, clinicians can use predictive analytics to show a more accurate timeline of treatment, which can help lower self-discharges. The more a clinician can dial in a patient’s expectations and time commitment required, the more likely the patient is to stick to the plan.

Second, this gives providers a way to tangibly show patients the impact their self-care has on their treatment results. When patients can see exactly how their actions affect their health and recovery and the likelihood of their wound healing if they adhere to their plan of care, it can be an inspiring catalyst for change.

3. Treatment – Shortening Healing Times

While still somewhat on the horizon, predictive analytics in wound care is seeking to reshape the clinical decision-making process as it applies to treatment. Algorithms can create a “clinical sandbox,” in which clinicians can evaluate “what if” scenarios to see how the application of a procedure could affect the healing trajectory of a wound.

The results of this can and will be extensive. Providers gain more support in making improved treatment decisions, shortening healing time, and improving clinical outcomes. Remember, these tools are not designed to replace people; they’re designed to augment care and support providers.

How You Can Learn More

Want to learn more about actionable steps your team can take to start harnessing the power of predictive analytics? A great next step is to check out our more in-depth and free ebook, “The Future of Wound Care: Predictive Analytics”. Our experts take a deeper look at what we talked about here, as well as more about what you can expect to see in the future.

The Future of Wound Care: Predictive Analytics

Changing the way wound care clinics operate and treat patients.

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