Data
Using data to inform real-time decision making and health system improvement
Organizing and delivering health care services generates large amounts of data. Learning Health Systems aim to harness this data to drive continuous improvement—measuring and improving outcomes that matter.
In this session, we’ll share examples of how health system data is supporting collaborative decision making, and powering research and innovation. First, Andrea Muenster, Steven Carrigan and Dr. Logan Lawrence will introduce the Care Coordination Centre (C3), an innovative program using real-time data to improve patient access and flow at more than 40 sites across Nova Scotia.
Then, Dr. Ted McDonald will illustrate how administrative data is helping to inform policy and practice in New Brunswick, using examples as varied as health workforce retention, pharmacist-led clinical services, lower back diagnostic imaging, and the health and educational impacts of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Watch past sessions on our YouTube Playlist.
Meet our Speakers
Andrea Muenster
Senior Director, Care Coordination Centre (C3), Nova Scotia Health
Andrea Muenster has served as the Senior Director for the Care Coordination Centre (C3) at Nova Scotia Health since 2023. In this role, she leads the strategic development, implementation, and oversight of the Care Coordination Centre, Canada’s first provincial command centre. Andrea holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of New Brunswick.
Steven Carrigan
Senior Director, Data and Analytics, Nova Scotia Health
Steven Carrigan joined Nova Scotia Health in 2017 as the Manager, of Performance and Analytics, and progressed to Senior Director, Data and Analytics. Steven is committed to promoting a culture of evidence and data-based decision-making, across the organization. As the Senior Director, Data and Analytics Steven has accountability for the provision of analytics leadership, advice and guidance to leaders across the organization by using the analytical tools and techniques best suited for solving the challenging problems associated with the optimal delivery of healthcare, through a province-wide, multi-disciplinary and cross-functional team. Prior to joining Nova Scotia Health, he worked in analytics at the NS Department of Health and Wellness and supporting health data research at Dalhousie University. Steven holds a Master of Public Administration and Master of Science (Epidemiology).
Dr. Logan Lawrence
Lead Implementation Scientist, Implementation Science Team, Nova Scotia Health
Logan Lawrence is a scientist supporting evidence-informed decision making at Nova Scotia Health. In this role, he leads evaluations of priority initiatives and innovative practices as well as research syntheses to inform decision making across the health system. His research interests include implementation science, health policy change, capacity building, and knowledge translation. Logan holds a Ph.D. in Health and M.Sc. Kinesiology from Dalhousie University and a B.Sc. Kinesiology from the University of Alberta.
Dr. Ted McDonald
Director, New Brunswick Institute of Research, Data and Training; Professor, Department of Political Science, University of New Brunswick
Ted McDonald is a University of New Brunswick professor who was appointed as the inaugural Director of NB-IRDT at UNB with its establishment as a UNB research Institute in 2014. In this capacity, he works closely with leaders of the Government of New Brunswick to develop and operationalize collaborative research programs that support evidence-informed public policy development. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of Health Data Research Network Canada. Ted holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Melbourne.