Note: Complete the assessments in this course in the order in which they are presented.

Preparation

Vila Health plans to use existing data to develop a strategy for improving and ensuring communication and continuity within its growing system. As a member of the health information management department, you have been asked to help by proposing strategies for meeting the data needs of Vila Health.

Complete the Vila Health: Using Data for Decision Making interactive simulation, linked in the Resources. Interview employees in various departments and develop an understanding of their data needs.

Requirements

Write an executive summary explaining the data needs of the organization and proposing strategies for meeting those needs.

Note: Remember that you can submit all—or a portion of—your draft executive summary to Smarthinking for feedback, before you submit the final version for this assessment. If you plan on using this free service, be mindful of the turnaround time of 24–48 hours for receiving feedback.

Document Format and Length

Format your executive summary using APA style.

• Use the APA Style Paper Template, linked in the Required Resources. An APA Style Paper Tutorial is also provided (linked in the Suggested Resources) to help you in writing and formatting your executive summary. Be sure to include:
  • A title page and references page. An abstract is not required.
  • A running head on all pages.
  • Appropriate section headings.
• Your executive summary should be 5–6 pages in length, not including the title page and references page.

Supporting Evidence

Cite at least two sources of credible scholarly or professional evidence to support your executive summary.

Executive Summary

Note: The requirements outlined below correspond to the grading criteria in the scoring guide. Be sure that your executive summary addresses each point, at a minimum. You may also want to read the Using Data for Decision Making Scoring Guide to better understand how each criterion will be assessed.

• Describe the types of internal data available within a health care system.
  • Consider the data needs of decision makers, such as unit managers, department heads, and hospital administrators.
• Describe the types of external data available within a health care system.
  • Consider the data needs of decision makers, such as unit managers, department heads, and hospital administrators.
• Propose strategies for accessing and analyzing available data.
  • Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy.
• Provide a high-level summary of the data needs within the Vila Health system.
  • The summary should be suitable for leaders and high-level stakeholders.
  • How would you prioritize those needs?
• Propose strategies for meeting the data needs of Vila Health.
  • Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy.
• Propose communication strategies for disseminating strategic information to end-users.
  • What evidence do you have to support your proposed strategies?
• Write clearly and concisely, using correct grammar, mechanics, and APA formatting.
  • Express your main points and conclusions coherently.
  • Proofread your writing to minimize errors that could distract readers and make it more difficult for them to focus on the substance of your summary.

Required Resources

The following resources are required to complete the assessment.

• Vila Health: Using Data for Decision Making | Transcript.
  • This multimedia simulation will enable you to query health care providers and other professionals at Vila Health’s main hospital, St. Anthony Medical Center, about their data needs. You will use the information you gather to recommend strategies for meeting the overall data needs of the hospital.