Dive Brief:
- Allina Health believes big data can improve outcomes, and its leaders are out to prove it through a partnership, valued at $100 million, with data warehousing and analytics firm Health Catalyst, according to a company press release.
- The 10-year agreement will see Allina outsource all their data warehousing, analytics and performance improvement technology, content and personnel to Health Catalyst. In turn, the data firm will hire Allina's existing staff in these departments to continue their work for Allina under Health Catalyst's banner.
- Additionally, Allina will have access to the full depth and breadth of Health Catalyst's analytical technologies and team—with both parties sharing in the financial rewards realized through what they hope will be dramatically improved outcomes at much lower costs. Allina's CEO characterized the unprecedented arrangement as creating a "living laboratory" to explore just how much big data can improve outcomes and balance sheets.
Dive Insight:
You can't read about healthcare IT without seeing the words "big data" or "analytics" tossed around like a Caesar salad, but most organizations are just beginning to get their heads around what all that means.
But Allina was apparently ready to make a bold move. The health system is going all-in and creating a modern, practical think tank by putting healthcare managers and IT experts together in this "living laboratory" to mine big data for the efficiencies and innovations hidden within.
What's more, it is mitigating its risk by doing it all as a joint venture and giving Health Catalyst's group a chance to share in the wealth it helps create. That puts the data firm's feet to the fire to deliver—and deliver well—for the benefit of all.
It's a really good idea, and we won't be the only ones keeping an eye on it. Every smart industry leader should stay tuned to see if Allina's grand experiment will work.