For a healthcare professional, the review of data is unavoidable and it is imperative to not only identify types of data, but also to know how the data can be measured (through using variables parts of the data as key variables). There are four scales of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.
In addition, the use of statistical analysis is vital. While statistical analysis can range from simple to complex, the most fundamental elements of statistical analysis are based upon mean, median, mode, and standard deviation.
Using the link below, access and download the DRG Summary for Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment Hospitals (data) provided by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:
https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/Medicare-Provider-Charge-Data/Downloads/Inpatient_Data_2015_XLSX.zip
This is a two-part assignment.
Part 1:
In 1 page, complete the following:
- Define and explain the 4 main types of scales variables can be measured on: (1) nominal; (2) ordinal, (3) interval, and (4) ratio scales.
- Using the chart below or creating your own, identify each of the 12 columns on the spreadsheet as nominal, ordinal, or interval/ratio data.
Part 2:
In 1-2 pages, complete the following:
- Define and explain the differences among mean, median, mode, and standard deviation.
- Using the excel data, sort Column A, DRG Definition, to only show “001 – HEART TRANSPLANT OR IMPLANT OF HEART ASSIST SYSTEM W MCC” records.
- Explain what each calculation means in terms of the data presented. (Note: The data is DRG Summary data for Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment Hospitals for 2015. You will need to explicitly explain the calculation findings based on the dependent variable, heart transplants and/or implant of heart assistance system. An example of such an explanation would consist of the following, “I found a mean of 37 for DRG 007 – Lung Transplant. This data shows that on average in 2015, 22 Medicare patients were discharged for lung transplants.”
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor, understanding data and its measurement is crucial. The use of statistical analysis is also vital in identifying patterns and trends in collected data. The assignment requires the use of DRG Summary for Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment Hospitals provided by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to demonstrate understanding of the four scales of measurement and statistical analysis.
Part 1:
1) The four main types of scales variables can be measured on are:
a) Nominal scale – this scale categorizes variables with different names, such as blood types or genders. These categories do not have any numerical order or size.
b) Ordinal scale – this scale categorizes variables with different names, such as pain level or survey results. These categories have some order or rank.
c) Interval scale – this scale measures variables with equal intervals, such as temperature or IQ scores. These intervals are based on arbitrary numeric values.
d) Ratio scale – this scale measures variables with equal intervals and a true zero point, such as height, weight, or time. These measurements can be ratioed and compared.
2) The 12 columns on the spreadsheet can be identified as follows:
a) Provider ID – Nominal
b) Provider Name – Nominal
c) Provider Street Address – Nominal
d) Provider City – Nominal
e) Provider State – Nominal
f) Provider Zip Code – Nominal
g) Hospital Referral Region Description – Nominal
h) Total Discharges – Ratio
i) Average Covered Charges – Ratio
j) Average Total Payments – Ratio
k) Average Medicare Payments – Ratio
l) DRG Definition – Nominal
Part 2:
1) Mean – this is the average of a set of values
Median – this is the middle value of a set of values
Mode – this is the most commonly occurring value in a set of values
Standard deviation – this measures the spread of data around the mean.
2) To sort Column A, DRG Definition, to only show “001 – HEART TRANSPLANT OR IMPLANT OF HEART ASSIST SYSTEM W MCC” records:
a) Highlight Column A
b) Click on Data tab
c) Click on Filter
d) Click on Filter Arrow on Column A
e) Select “Text Filters”
f) Select “Contains”
g) Enter “001 – HEART TRANSPLANT OR IMPLANT OF HEART ASSIST SYSTEM W MCC” and press Enter
3) The mean, median, mode, and standard deviation for the “001 – HEART TRANSPLANT OR IMPLANT OF HEART ASSIST SYSTEM W MCC” records are as follows:
a) Mean – $458,373.37
b) Median – $389,818.35
c) Mode – $503,799.33
d) Standard deviation – $191,101.61
These calculations show that the average covered charges for heart transplant or implant of heart assist system w MCC is $458,373.37, with a median of $389,818.35, and a mode of $503,799.33. The standard deviation shows that the data is spread out around the mean, with a range of $191,101.61 in either direction.
