BUS-470-RS-Benchmark – Data Collection

BUS-470-RS-Benchmark – Data Collection

The Problem

(Adapted from the Canadian Institute for Health Information Report)

“Strokes and heart attacks are time-sensitive conditions where timely care may prevent mortality or significant morbidity. Recommendations across Canada encourage anyone with signs of a stroke or heart attack to call an ambulance. Paramedics can assess and manage the patient, pre-notify the hospital, and transport the patient to the hospital that is best equipped to treat them. This analysis reports the percentage of stroke and heart attack patients who arrive at the hospital by ambulance (excludes patients transferred from other institutions, such as other hospitals or long-term care facilities, as these patients are typically transported by ambulance, and the decision is out of the patient’s hands) and describes characteristics of patients who do not use an ambulance.

In 2014-2015 in Canada (excluding Quebec), more than 34,000 patients were admitted to the hospital for a stroke and more than 75,000 for a heart attack.1 Despite recommendations that all patients experiencing signs of a stroke or heart attack should call an ambulance, 1 in 3 stroke patients and 1 in 2 heart attack patients did not arrive at the hospital by ambulance.

Overall, stroke and heart attack patients who were less likely to arrive at the hospital by ambulance were younger (under 45), male, living closer to the hospital, and residing in a higher-income neighborhood. However, the influence of these factors was stronger for heart attack patients. These characteristics remained significant even after accounting for disease severity (adjusting for comorbidities, number of interventions, length of stay, and death)” (Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2016).

Summarizing the Costs of Failure to Address the Problem

Figures 1 &2: History of Heart Attack and Stroke Patients Not Arriving by Ambulance

The charts present the history of patients who arrived in the care facility by ambulance and did not arrive by ambulance in the previous year. The data from the Canadian Institute of Health Information indicates that the percentage of people not arriving by ambulance for both Stroke and Heart attack patients was higher (More than 50%), which increased the chances of morbidity. For all the age groups, the percentage of patients not arriving by ambulance was higher for heart attack patients compared to stroke. This shows delayed reaction time for heart attack patients.

Summarizing Results of Previous Attempts to Address the Problem

Previous efforts to address delayed care-seeking for heart attack and stroke patients include availing ambulances at various locations, reducing ambulance charges for patients who receive ambulance services for the two conditions, including part of ambulance fee in medical insurance, and swift response from the ambulance team. The percentage of patients arriving at the hospital in an ambulance was higher (more than 50%) compared to those who did not arrive by ambulance.

Figure 2: Previous Solutions to Increase the Number of Patients Arriving for Care in an Ambulance

The data indicates that there was an increased number of heart attack and stroke patients arriving for care by ambulance in the hospital. This subsequently reduced the morbidity rates due to the emergency and timely care provided upon swift response and calling an ambulance.

Summarizing Proposed Solutions for Addressing The Problem

Some of the solutions that can help address the problem of delays in seeking assistance and the projected increase in the number of patients arriving by ambulance are as follows;

Figure 3: Proposed Solutions

To increase the patients’ willingness to seek ambulance services, the proposed solutions are

• Reduced Ambulance Fee
• Availing Ambulance Services in Every Locality
• Educating patients of Heart Attack Signs and Symptoms
• Equipping Patients with First-Aid Home-Based Emergency Care Knowledge

Reducing ambulance fees and availing ambulance services in the locality are expected to increase the number of heart attack and stroke patients using ambulances to the hospital.

References

Canadian Institute for Health Information. (2016). Access Data and Reports. https://www.cihi.ca/en/access-data-reports/results?fs3%5B0%5D=content_format%3A806&fs3%5B1%5D=primary_theme%3A683

European Cardiology Society. (n.d.). Calling an ambulance improves heart attack survival. https://www.escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-Office/Press-releases/Calling-an-ambulance-improves-heart-attack-survival

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BUS-470-RS-Benchmark – Data Collection

The purpose of this assignment is to conduct internal and external research to determine viable solutions that could be implemented to solve an identified problem.

For this assignment, you will create an Excel spreadsheet that summarizes the data collection you have completed. The spreadsheet should indicate the date on which particular data were collected, the source of the data collected, the type of data (qualitative or quantitative), and a one- or two-sentence summary of the data findings. Name the Excel spreadsheet as follows: lastname.firstname.datacollection.xlsx.

Please note that as part of the research process, taking the initiative to speak with management and then requesting and reviewing business metrics and operations reports will allow you to find the data you need for the project while also showing your employer that you can be proactive and use critical thinking to solve problems within the organization.

Part 1:

The first step in data collection is to conduct research. You are looking for specific, measurable data (statistics and numbers) related to how the problem is affecting the organization. This information should be recorded in the form of a chart or graph that presents the data so key decision makers can see the “cost” of failing to address the problem. Use the study materials for assistance with creating Excel graphs and charts that can be used to illustrate your findings.

Part 2:

BUS-470-RS-Benchmark – Data Collection

Next, conduct additional research to learn what has already been done to address this problem within the organization. Ask questions and interview individuals who assisted with the implementation of previous solutions used to address the problem. Prior to meeting with individuals, develop a list of questions about previous solutions. Consider factors such as customer importance, efficiency, quality, employee satisfaction, and cost effectiveness. You will want to make sure you ask questions that allow you to gather measurable data and include information about how successful previous solution options were in addressing each of the problems. When you have completed your research, the findings should be summarized in an illustration using at least one chart or graph that represents the data you have collected. Use the study materials for assistance with creating Excel graphs and charts that can be used to illustrate your findings.

Part 3:

The last step in determining potential solutions is to conduct external research. Using Internet and industry resources, research ways other companies have addressed this issue or one very similar to it. Look for specific information related to the customer response, efficiency, quality, employee satisfaction, and

BUS-470-RS-Benchmark – Data Collection

cost effectiveness of solutions others have implemented. Find at least five potential solutions you can consider for solving the problem you have identified. Your goal in conducting this research is to find practical examples and measurable data related to how other companies, and related industries, have resolved the same problem or one very similar to it. When you have completed your research, the findings should be summarized in an illustration using at least one chart or graph, representing the data you have collected. Use the study materials for assistance with creating Excel graphs and charts, as this will help illustrate your findings.

Submit the data collection Excel spreadsheet and the three data summary charts/graphs you have created from the research conducted to your instructor.

The three charts/graphs you create will be used again in your Business Proposal Presentation in Topic 7, as well as within the Final Business Proposal you will submit in Topic 8. Evidence of revision from instructor feedback will be assessed on the final business proposal.

General Requirements:

While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

Benchmark Information

This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competencies:

BS Applied Management

2.1 Analyze qualitative and quantitative methods of research.

2.2 Develop data collection plans for action research in organizations.