The phrase “you can’t manage what you can’t measure” is often attributed to a man named W. Edwards Deming, the statistician and quality-control expert credited with having launched the Total Quality Management (TQM) movement. At other times, this phrase or concept has also been attributed to Peter Drucker, one of the world’s most famous management consultants in American history. Deming has also gone on to write/state that “It is wrong to suppose that if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it – a costly myth”, which of course is the exact opposite of the original statements. Either way, I think there is a balance to utilizing data in a way that allows us to properly manage what we are responsible for, whether personally or professionally. So, it’s fair to surmise that the premise of the original quote implies that without a clearly established metric for success, you cannot quantify progress and manage your process to produce desired outcomes.
In today’s world, we are immersed in a sea of data, and the availability of this data is unprecedented in human history. Gathering, understanding, and managing data has become an intricate and integral part of our lives whether we are proficient at it or not. From our cell phones to banking, to online presence, down to our health profile…data is constantly flowing.
With the concept of “metrics” being a key driver in our initiative(s) at Lone Star, it is important that data is being collected and analyzed in a manner that helps drive the right metrics for any leader and/or team within the industry that we are serving. A CEO or Business Leader relies on monthly, quarterly, and annual data that drives metrics such as EBITDA or cash operating cycle. Professional Baseball Managers rely on data that illustrate metrics such as on-base percentage, average runs scored, and average runs allowed. In the Healthcare Industry, the collecting, understanding, and managing of data is just as important as it has ever been. The fact that data is so prevalent and available from any endpoint on a network within our healthcare facilities reveals a tremendous opportunity to help nurses and clinical leadership further improve the management and quality of acute patient care.
In the last edition of “Sales Corner”, Chris Andrus announced and presented the rollout of implementing Alairo into three strategically selected Investment Sites. Through this campaign, Lone Star will have the opportunity to prove why taking multiple streams of data and creating a single pane of glass for improved management, utilization, and communication will be a game changer for nurses and clinical leaders. Lone Star will utilize the collection of data to assist with the improvement of metrics about alarm fatigue, patient satisfaction scores, fall prevention, and overall workflows just to name a few. Thus, further separating Lone Star from the rest of the pack as a dynamic solutions provider across the Healthcare market.
So, here’s to hoping that you and your families had a safe 4th of July and are enjoying the summer season…. And here’s to the power of data!
- David Stewart, Sales Leader, LSAR