Healthcare Dashboard: Examples, KPIs and How to Build One

Everything today runs on data. From shopping habits to entertainment choices, industries are driven by the insights they can pull from data — and healthcare is no different. Hospitals and clinics generate huge amounts of information daily, but many still find it challenging to make sense of it all.

Healthcare dashboards offer a solution by turning raw data into clear visuals. They let you see what’s happening across your facility in real-time, from patient admissions to staff schedules. Instead of sorting through spreadsheets or reports, a dashboard brings all your key metrics together in one place.

In this article, we’ll break down the types of healthcare dashboards, the important healthcare KPIs to keep an eye on and how to build a dashboard that works for you. If you’re looking to make your healthcare data work harder and smarter, keep reading.

What is a healthcare dashboard?

A healthcare dashboard is a tool that consolidates critical data from across a healthcare facility into one visual platform. Think of it as a command centre — whether it’s tracking patient numbers, monitoring staff availability, checking the status of key resources or assessing revenue numbers, a dashboard brings all of these insights into one place.

In simple terms, a healthcare dashboard turns complex data into easy-to-read visuals, like charts, graphs and real-time indicators. This means that healthcare administrators, clinicians and analysts don’t need to sift through reports or multiple systems. Instead, they can make quick, informed decisions at a glance.

Why are healthcare dashboards essential?

• Centralised information: Eliminates the need to jump between systems, putting all essential data at your fingertips

• Real-time updates: Allows teams to respond quickly to urgent needs, like bed availability or staffing shortages

• Improved efficiency: Cuts down on manual reporting and data entry, freeing up staff to focus on patient care

• Enhanced decision-making: By presenting only the most relevant information, dashboards help teams conduct data analysis and make data-driven choices with confidence

Top 5 healthcare dashboard examples

An institution has many hospital departments. Healthcare dashboards are designed to meet specific needs of all the segments. Here are the main types, along with how they can benefit different teams:

1. Operational dashboards

Operational dashboards are the backbone of daily hospital management. They provide a bird’s-eye view of key metrics that keep the facility running smoothly, such as:

• Bed occupancy rates, showing how many beds are available and in use

• Patient admissions and discharges, helping track the flow of patients

• Resource allocation, ensuring the right people are in the right places at the right time

For instance, if a sudden influx of patients occurs, this dashboard can immediately flag capacity issues, allowing for quick decisions like reassigning staff or expediting discharges. They help administrators streamline workflows, improve turnaround times, avoid resource wastage and operational performance.

2. Clinical dashboards

Clinical dashboards are built for healthcare providers who focus on delivering patient care. These dashboards emphasise clinical performance metrics, such as:

• Patient outcomes, giving insights into recovery rates or complications

• Infection rates, helping monitor and prevent the spread of hospital-acquired infections

• Adherence to clinical guidelines, ensuring treatments follow best practices

Imagine a hospital tracking readmission rates for heart surgery patients. A clinical dashboard could identify patterns or reasons behind frequent readmissions, enabling clinicians to tweak procedures or post-discharge care plans. These dashboards are vital for enhancing patient care and maintaining high-quality treatment standards.

3. Financial dashboards

Running a healthcare facility isn’t just about care; financial health is equally important. Financial dashboards consolidate data related to revenue, expenses and billing, such as:

• Revenue cycles and operating revenue, showing income from patient care services

• Claim statuses, tracking pending, approved or denied insurance claims

• Operating costs, identifying areas where spending can be optimised

For example, a clinic might notice a high rate of claim denials via this dashboard. By digging deeper, they can pinpoint why – perhaps errors in coding or documentation – and address the issue to improve cash flow. Financial dashboards, often developed through outsourced software partnerships, are key for maintaining profitability and long-term sustainability.

4. Patient satisfaction dashboards

Patient satisfaction isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have in competitive healthcare. These dashboards help facilities keep an eye on what patients think by showing data like:

• Feedback scores collected through surveys

• Complaints about wait times, communication or amenities

• Areas of improvement based on patient comments

For instance, if feedback indicates long waiting times in outpatient departments, management can act swiftly, perhaps by adding more staff during peak hours. Such dashboards ensure the patient’s voice is heard and guide efforts to improve the overall experience.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) in healthcare dashboards

Now that you understand why healthcare dashboards are important, here are some healthcare KPIs to help you understand exactly what they track:

1. Patient satisfaction scores

Patient satisfaction is a direct reflection of the quality of care provided. Dashboards often include scores derived from surveys that measure factors like:

• The overall patient experience, such as cleanliness and comfort

• Communication with doctors and nurses, ensuring clear and compassionate care

• Wait times, which can significantly impact patient perceptions

High satisfaction scores indicate that the facility meets or exceeds patient expectations, while low scores highlight areas needing immediate attention.

2. Readmission rates

Readmission rates are a key metric for assessing the effectiveness of care provided. They measure the percentage of patients who return within a specific period after discharge, often due to complications or insufficient follow-up. For example:

• Monitoring readmission rates for specific conditions, like heart failure or pneumonia

• Identifying gaps in discharge instructions or post-care support

Lower readmission rates usually mean better outcomes and cost savings for the facility.

3. Average length of stay (ALOS)

The ALOS measures the average time a patient spends in the hospital, from admission to discharge. This KPI balances efficiency and care quality by focusing on:

• Reducing delays caused by administrative processes or slow diagnostics

• Ensuring patients aren’t discharged prematurely, which could lead to readmissions

Tracking ALOS helps facilities optimise patient flow and allocate resources more effectively.

4. Bed occupancy rates

This KPI monitors how many beds are occupied versus available at any given time. High occupancy rates might signal efficient use of resources, but excessive rates could lead to:

• Strained staff workloads, risking burnout and errors

• Longer waiting times for incoming patients

By maintaining a balance, healthcare providers ensure better patient outcomes and staff well-being.

5. Staff performance metrics

Healthcare relies heavily on its workforce, so tracking staff performance is vital. Dashboards often include KPIs like:

• Staff-to-patient ratios, ensuring adequate coverage across departments

• Attendance and punctuality, which impact overall efficiency

• Employee satisfaction scores, helping reduce turnover and improve morale

A motivated, well-supported team directly contributes to better patient care.

6. Financial metrics

These KPIs ensure the financial health of the organisation by focusing on:

• Revenue cycle efficiency, tracking billing, claims and collections

• Cost per patient, helping identify areas of excessive spending

• Profit margins, ensuring the facility remains sustainable

Tracking these metrics helps facilities stay financially stable while delivering high-quality care.

7. Infection and safety metrics

Quality care isn’t just about treatment – it’s also about preventing harm. Dashboards monitor critical safety KPIs such as:

• Infection rates, like catheter-associated infections or surgical site infections

• Incident reports, including patient falls or equipment malfunctions

These metrics ensure compliance with safety standards and build trust with patients.

8. Treatment adherence rates

This KPI measures how well patients follow prescribed treatment plans, which is crucial for positive outcomes. For example:

• Tracking medication adherence among chronic disease patients

• Monitoring follow-up appointment attendance rates

Where can you build healthcare dashboards tailored to your institution?

Healthcare dashboards are powerful tools, but their effectiveness depends on how well they are tailored to the unique needs of your institution. Building or acquiring the right dashboard involves understanding your requirements, budget and technical capabilities. Here are the key options for obtaining healthcare dashboards:

1. Custom-built dashboards

For institutions with specific needs, custom-built dashboards are often the best choice. These are designed from scratch to integrate seamlessly with your existing systems and workflows.

Who builds them?

• In-house IT teams, if you have a skilled development team

• Software development firms specialising in healthcare solutions

Benefits

• Complete customisation based on your facility’s KPIs, processes and goals

• Direct integration with your electronic health record (EHR) or hospital management system (HMS)

• Scalability to accommodate future growth

Challenges

• Higher initial costs and longer development time

• Requires ongoing maintenance and updates

2. Pre-built dashboard solutions

Many software vendors offer a ready-made healthcare performance dashboard designed for common needs like operational, clinical or financial monitoring.

Examples of vendors

• Power BI by Microsoft, known for its flexibility and integration capabilities

• Tableau, which offers advanced data visualisation and interactive dashboards

• QlikView, focusing on analytics and real-time data tracking

Benefits

• Faster implementation compared to custom builds

• Often comes with pre-defined templates for healthcare-specific KPIs

• Lower initial cost than custom solutions

Challenges

• Limited customisation, which might not meet all your unique needs

• May require training for your team to use effectively

3. SaaS-based healthcare dashboard platforms

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms are gaining popularity for their ease of use and scalability. These cloud-based tools allow you to create and manage dashboards without heavy technical expertise.

Examples of SaaS tools

• Zoho Analytics, offering intuitive dashboards and healthcare-specific features

• Sisense for Healthcare, tailored for large data sets and predictive analytics

• Domo, a versatile tool that integrates with multiple data sources

Benefits

• No need for on-premise hardware or significant IT resources

• Regular updates and support from the provider

• Subscription pricing, making it budget-friendly for smaller institutions

Challenges

• Data security concerns, as sensitive information is stored in the cloud

• Ongoing costs due to subscription models

4. EHR-integrated dashboards

Many EHR providers now include built-in dashboards as part of their systems. These are often designed to work specifically with the provider’s platform, streamlining data collection and analysis.

Examples

• Epic Systems, which provides dashboards with advanced analytics tools

• Cerner, offering dashboards for operational and clinical insights

Benefits

• Seamless integration with your patient data

• Reduces the need for separate software and training

• Optimised for compliance with healthcare regulations

Challenges

• Limited flexibility if you need additional features beyond what’s offered

• High dependency on the EHR provider

5. Consulting firms for hybrid solutions

If your institution has unique requirements but lacks the resources to build or choose a solution, consulting firms can bridge the gap.

What they offer

• Analysis of your needs to recommend the best approach

• Hybrid solutions combining custom and pre-built dashboards

• Implementation support and training

Examples

• Deloitte and PwC offer healthcare analytics consulting services

• Boutique firms specialising in healthcare IT, such as Meditech Solutions

Benefits

• Tailored guidance without the need for internal expertise

• Faster deployment with professional oversight

Challenges

• Higher costs for consulting services

Conclusion

Now that you know:

• How healthcare dashboards help you in efficient hospital management

• Their examples and types

• And how you can build one for your healthcare organisation

It’s time for you to take action!

So if you’re seriously interested in a healthcare dashboard, here’s what you need to do:

• Understand the scaling of your institution

• Browse through the available options

• Choose the one that best fulfills your needs

But if by reading this blog, you have come to an understanding that you were looking for something more than just a dashboard, we can help!

Telecrm is an all-in-one healthcare CRM software designed for healthcare professionals to manage patient care and streamline their operations with the help of features like customisable workflows, patient interaction management, custom dashboards and much more!