Preparing for Influenza Season

With the 2018 flu season approaching, Data Analysts are needed to help medical staffing agencies strategize how to provide temporary medical workers to clinics and hospitals all throughout the U.S.
This analysis will examine trends in influenza data and formulate a plan for staffing needs across the country.

Overview

Motivation

The United States has had a history of influenza-related deaths trending in the wrong direction. The vulnerable populations, in particular, develop serious flu-related complications and end up hospitalized, requiring additional medical staffing.

Objective

Determine when to send staff, and how many, to each state.

Scope

The agency covers all hospitals in each of the 50 U.S. States, and the project will plan for the upcoming influenza season.

The Process

Source proper data

Is the data sufficient for this analysis? Ensure no missing years or States and enough information is included.

Assess data quality

Implement all data checking measures to test completeness, uniqueness, and timeliness.

Transform & integrate

Integrate data from multiple sources into one cohesive data set, in preparation for analysis.

Statistical Analysis

Form hypotheses, and conduct analysis to test hypotheses via statistical measures, and interpret results.

Create deliverables

Create report

Consolidate discoveries and analysis results into interim report for stakeholders.

Challenges

Discerning which data sets to include in an analysis was a challenge. It becomes unclear what exactly you are looking for, so many times I found myself lost in a "forest" of data.
- Resolution: Remembering the analysis' key objective is critical when selecting data to analyze. The dataset could be interesting, but does it answer the question? Can it contribute to the analysis at all? These questions gave me clear discernment in selecting the right data for this analysis.
In Tableau, I knew what I wanted to display, but couldn't create the visualization right away.
- Resolution: Practice, fail, practice, fail. The more exposure and practice I had with these platforms, the quicker I knew my way around Tableau. Soon enough, the visualizations came out great.

Visualizations

Recommendations

I recommend sending medical personnel to the States with the highest need and highest vulnerable population deaths (CA, NY, TX, PA, FL).
Assess the need for additional medical staff in those densely populated areas, primarily located in the Eastern States.
Broadcast reminders to obtain flu vaccine with emphasis on vulnerable populations.