Technology which is putting patient records at the fingertips of district nurses is being showcased at a national healthcare innovation EXPO event.
The 170 staff in NHS Derby City’s district nursing community service have all been given smart phones which allow them to access their patients’ records remotely rather than having to carry round paper records.
This simple step is transforming the way staff are able to provide care to patients. Nurses will have immediate, secure, access to comprehensive clinical records, giving them real time, accurate information for diagnosis, treatment and care planning. They are already spending less time travelling to and from the office collecting paper records, which means they can see more patients and spend more time with individuals. The new technology is also helping the team manage case loads more effectively and ensure there is smoother communication with other healthcare providers such as GPs and hospitals.
Lead Director for NHS Derby City, Rakesh Marwaha said: “This initiative builds on NHS Derby City’s ongoing innovative approach of integrating technology to support high quality, safe care for patients whilst also increasing clinical productivity.”
Community matron Julie Lowe said: “Remote working has allowed me to access and respond to all the information I need during the day. It saves time on my day, improves the care I can give my patients and helps me respond to their needs by having up to date information at my fingertips.”
The project has been supported with a grant from the East Midlands Regional Innovation Fund, which was set up by the strategic health authority to help make great ideas a reality on the NHS front line. Now it is being showcased at the national NHS Innovation EXPO later this month.
More than 10,000 delegates from across healthcare, education, industry and the voluntary sector are expected to attend the EXPO, the largest public sector health and social care event in Europe taking place in London on 9th and 10th March. There will be more than 150 seminars to attend, 250 exhibitors and 100 inspirational guest speakers including the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley and the NHS Chief Executive, David Nicholson. The focus of the event is on high impact innovations to improve patient care and productivity and for innovative practices to be shared to encourage widespread adoption across the healthcare system.
Kathy McLean, Medical Director and Lead Director for Innovation at NHS East Midlands, said: “We are delighted to be showcasing so many innovation projects from across the NHS in the East Midlands on this national platform. It highlights the fantastic work that has been taking place in the local NHS since we launched the innovation journey in 2009 and the radical and exciting ideas that our frontline staff are turning into action, all to improve patient outcomes.”
