LHS Program capabilities

The LHS Program's core capabilities

Within our research institute, we have access to robust scientific capabilities that we use to promote continuous learning and improvement in our health system. Here is a brief summary of the LHS Program's core capabilities and how we use them to design, implement, and evaluate innovations that benefit our members, care teams, and communities.

Leveraging data and advanced analytics to inform decision making and build cutting-edge solutions

By tapping into KPWHRI's sophisticated data capabilities and analytic expertise, we push the boundaries of machine learning and predict ways to improve care for our members, introduce efficiencies, and reduce cost. Examples include: Using predictive analytics to prevent hospitalizations, avoid missed appointments, and increase flu vaccinations in high-risk members (see story by KING 5 News, Dec. 2, 2019).

Most recently, the LHS Program has leveraged our advanced analytic capabilities to support Kaiser Permanente Washington's rapid response to COVID-19. 

Using state-of-the-art methods to support implementation and translate evidence into practice

It is not enough to know the evidence. The LHS Program brings implementation science and experience to support rapid and sustained implementation of evidence-based care through practice facilitation and other QI methods. Our implementation experts clearly define implementation activities by role, provide at-the-elbow practice support, and use effective techniques to understand implementation progress and support adoption and sustainment.

Providing data expertise and developing measurement approaches to evaluate impact

Do the changes we make and programs we put in place make a difference for our members? We learn how changes impact care and costs by conducting evaluations of various initiatives in Primary Care, Specialty Care, and Care Delivery IT. This work offers decision makers actionable insight into the benefits and unintended consequences of promising programs to improve implementation and maximize benefit.

One example is our ongoing evaluation of Kaiser Permanente's newest clinics in Seattle's South Lake Union and Ballard neighborhoods. Since the onset of COVID-19, we've been leveraging what we've learned from these evaluations to provide real-time feedback to inform our health system's emerging virtual care model.

Conducting rapid evidence reviews and providing content expertise to answer key questions based on science

The LHS Program scans the environment, rapidly reviews research evidence, and distills what we learn into actionable information for our care delivery partners. This helps Kaiser Permanente move quickly to make decisions in times of uncertainty, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Engaging patients and families to design solutions that generate better outcomes

Using evidence-based strategies, the LHS Program helps Kaiser Permanente Washington understand and support member engagement across care delivery, quality improvement, and strategic direction setting.

Contact us

For more information about Kaiser Permanente Washington's Learning Health System Program, please email us at KPWALHS@kp.org.