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Posts Tagged ‘Technology’

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NHS England publish IT and Technology Roadmap

Tuesday, May 7th, 2013

nhs

NHS England is developing an NHS Technology Strategy and Roadmap, setting a national direction for NHS IT.

Putting Patients First is a business plan for 2013/14 – 2015/16 which outlines how the NHS will deliver it’s mandate from the Government. In the document, NHS England states they will “set the direction for NHS technology and informatics so that commissioners, providers and suppliers can make informed investment decisions”.

A number of key targets are outlined, such as:

  • 95% of Trusts to use the NHS Number as the prime patient identifier in clinical correspondence by January 2015

  • Development of an integrated business intelligence tool which will “provide the robust information needed for evidence based, insightful decision making for all parts of NHS England”

  • Development of a linked package of shared-decision making aids so that people can make choices in collaboration with clinicians about their treatment

  • 75% of GP practices to provide a full extract to care.data by September 2013

  • 75% of hospital trusts to provide patient level prescribing data to care.data by December 2015

  • All mental health trust providers to complete the mental health minimum data set, and publish regular information on key indicators in 2013/2014

  • All NHS patients able to leave feedback in real time on any service by 2015

  • The Friends and Family Test introduced for 100% of acute hospital inpatients and Accident and Emergency patients from April 2013 and for women who have used maternity services from October 2013

  • 30% of trusts improve their scores by 2014/15

Original Source eHealth Insider

About Pathway Software

Pathway Software (www.pathwaysoftware.com) specialises in the design and development of patient information systems for Allied Health professionals.

Its flagship product, Therapy Manager, is an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system specifically designed for Therapy Services to provide decision makers with the ability to track and manage clinical activity and analyse cost of care by patient, episode or service. The system also demonstrably reduces administration time and the costs of managing Therapy Services.

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Liverpool SLT services offer Galaxy tablets to patients and clinicians

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

Samsung-Galaxy-Tab-in-Hand

A Liverpool Trust is offering tablets to families in an attempt to revolutionise the provision of Speech and Language Therapy.

The idea has stemmed from a collaboration between Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust‘s Children’s Division and Speech and Language Therapy, and Liverpool John Moores University. The project termed “Keeping in Touch” is also funded by the North West Innovation Fund.

Clinicians and families with children with complex speech and language needs will be provided with a 10-inch Samsung Galaxy tablet, pre-installed with Skype, 3G and wireless communications. As a result, therapy sessions will be able to take place in the patient’s home, schools or any other settings. This should also make the service more accessible to patients and significantly reduce the amount of time and expense taken up travelling to and from appointments, in addition to the DNA rate.

The project will be evaluated to establish whether the remote sessions provide the same quality of care as face to face sessions, and the results should be available this autumn.

Sheena Round, a Consultant Speech and Language Therapist who is leading the project, said: “This is a very exciting project that could totally revolutionise the way we work. The project will provide children requiring speech and language therapy with interactive technologies on mobile devices, that will make treatment sessions more fun and interactive”.

Original Source eHealth Insider

About Pathway Software

Pathway Software (www.pathwaysoftware.com) specialises in the design and development of patient information systems for Allied Health professionals.

Its flagship product, Therapy Manager, is an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system specifically designed for Therapy Services to provide decision makers with the ability to track and manage clinical activity and analyse cost of care by patient, episode or service. The system also demonstrably reduces administration time and the costs of managing Therapy Services.

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Intellect: “Paperless” NHS possible with process overhaul

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

intellect

UK trade body Intellect has stated that the vision of a “paperless NHS” is possible, but will require an overhaul in thought processes from users, buyers and suppliers of the service.

The recently published “Digitising the NHS by 2018 – Intellect response” report follows recent comments from the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, the NHS should be paperless by 2018. This will be centred on the requirement for Trusts to have implemented Electronic Patient Record (EPR) Systems by 2015, with those who fail to do so told they will face “severe” financial consequences.

Rather than just removing paper from the NHS, the report argues that there should be a focus on capturing and using digital information. Furthermore, it highlights that open interfaces and joined-up processes are key points to making paperless a reality.

Intellect also assert that one of the biggest drivers of change are patients themselves, as they will want services to change in order for this to actually occur. The tangible benefits of a paperless system should be demonstrated to NHS staff, managers and patients, as “if they do not see the value, they will not demand and embrace change.”

A number of barriers are also outlined in the report, with the first being the lack of a consistent unique identifier across hospital systems. Networking security constraints that limit access and use of NHS data outside of the NHS were also highlighted.

Intellect also recommend the move away from “bigger and larger deals”, and that the NHS should make it a priority to remove the barriers from small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“The Paperless NHS challenge must include the citizen, as the ultimate owner of their care, and a huge consumer of care information. The Paperless NHS will only be a reality if the NHS, and its users, us as citizens, want it to be paperless” the report says.

Original Source eHealth Insider

About Pathway Software

Pathway Software (www.pathwaysoftware.com) specialises in the design and development of patient information systems for Allied Health professionals.

Its flagship product, Therapy Manager, is an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system specifically designed for Therapy Services to provide decision makers with the ability to track and manage clinical activity and analyse cost of care by patient, episode or service. The system also demonstrably reduces administration time and the costs of managing Therapy Services.

 

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At-home Ultrasound Therapy for fracture healing

Wednesday, February 13th, 2013

exogen-4000-clavicle-bean-bag-strap (1)


A battery-powered ultrasound device has been developed which encourages natural healing mechanisms in the body, allowing treatment in the patient’s own home and potentially helping thousands to avoid surgery for a fracture.

The “Exogen” device is the latest to be approved by Government body NICE (the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) for fractures that have failed to heal after 9 months. The treatment costs £2,562 per patient, but NICE believes it will result in a saving of £1,164, as the treatment may mean that the patient avoids further surgery.

Figures suggest that 650,000 individuals in the UK suffer from a fracture annually, with 8% of all fractures failing to heal adequately through a combination of poor blood supply and suppressed healing mechanisms. In these cases, fractures require additional costly surgery involving metal or bone grafts.

Ultrasound therapy has previously been thought to enhance bone repair, with one review of more than 500 patients showing a 34 per cent reduction in healing time compared to a placebo. The therapy has been available on the NHS, but only as a clinic-based treatment.

The palm-sized portable Exogen device however allows patients to treat themselves at home through direct application to the affected area. Sustained use for a period of five months is thought to significantly improve healing, with patient reports of full healing just six weeks after use commences.

Angus Maclean, Senior Orthopaedic Consultant at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, said: “By accelerating healing, there is significant potential for this technology to save money for the NHS, by reducing the need for surgery and returning patients to work more quickly than before. Cost savings and clinical effectiveness therefore make it a win-win situation for both the NHS and the patient.”

Original Source Daily Mail

About Pathway Software

Pathway Software (www.pathwaysoftware.com) specialises in the design and development of patient information systems for Allied Health professionals.

Its flagship product, Therapy Manager, is an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system specifically designed for Therapy Services to provide decision makers with the ability to track and manage clinical activity and analyse cost of care by patient, episode or service. The system also demonstrably reduces administration time and the costs of managing Therapy Services.

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The NHS and Technology: a “Troubled” Relationship

Friday, January 18th, 2013

technhs

Writing for BBC News, Health Correspondent Nick Triggle comments on the relationship between the NHS and technology, calling it “troubled”.

When forced to consider the advancement of technology in other areas of our personal and professional lives, the lack of progress made by the NHS is deemed “astonishing”. In reality, many private companies hold a significant amount of personal data for banking, shopping and expenditure needs, however patient records in the healthcare system are sparse in information.

Significant large-scale failures, such as the £12 billion National Programme for IT (NPfIT), has moved the onus for change away from top-down national implementations into local, bottom-up driven projects. Whilst in some senses this ensures that any IT projects will be smaller, more modular and fit for purpose, many services lack the desire, drive, resources to implement IT of their own volition.

Triggle states however that improvements have been seen in some areas, notably that for actual clinical technology, such as robotic surgery. Telehealth and telecare has been successfully piloted in a number of areas, using specialist equipment to allow patients to self-manage their condition in their own home.

Despite the success and validation of a gamut of new technological innovations, adoption has been slow. “As the NHS plays catch up, other sectors continue to push the boundaries of what is possible” says Triggle.

The primary barriers to adoption are perceived to be primarily attributed to culture and conflicting directions from the government. Complex commissioning and procurement have stopped many innovative projects in their tracks, and in many cases, a lack of management has been a factor. Now that responsibility has been passed back to a local level, managers must take it upon themselves to lead projects effectively in the best interests of their staff and patients.

Original Source BBC News

About Pathway Software

Pathway Software (www.pathwaysoftware.com) specialises in the design and development of patient information systems for Allied Health professionals.

Its flagship product, Therapy Manager, is an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system specifically designed for Therapy Services to provide decision makers with the ability to track and manage clinical activity and analyse cost of care by patient, episode or service. The system also demonstrably reduces administration time and the costs of managing Therapy Services.

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