Data acquisition and analysis is now pervasive throughout the health care industry. Researchers developing new medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and treatment protocols employ rigorous study designs and statistical methods. Public health personnel collect data when investigating disease outbreaks and disseminate health statistics and risks to the general public through awareness campaigns to improve population health. Administrators of health care organizations collect and analyze data to support decisions involving resource allocation and to assess the quality of care and utilization of services. Clinicians make patient treatment choices using evidence-based practice.

The advent of electronic medical records, government mandates for data capture and reporting, and the ability to collect and store massive amounts of data has enabled the application of analytics to real-life health care problems. Personnel at all levels and functions of health care organizations are producers and consumers of data and analysis with the goal of containing health care costs and improving patient care.