Latest Patient Record Management System Delivers Real Results For NHS Lothian
05 June 2008
- New Scanning and Storage Solution Offers Enhanced Security and Cost Saving Benefits- First system to electronically transfer patient data straight to centralised NHS Database
A ground-breaking document scanning and storage solution, being implemented by NHS Lothian, is set to revolutionise the management of the clinical records of around 800,000 patients in the region, delivering enhanced security as well as significant time and cost saving efficiencies for the NHS Board.
Glasgow-based Northgate Managed Services, in partnership with e-Docs UK, has been working with NHS Lothian to address the escalating problem of document storage and protection, which historically has resulted in the creation of over five million patient records (equating to over 32km of shelf space) being stored by the Board.
As a result of the investment, Northgate and e-Docs have introduced the latest scanning and storage technology to digitally record the clinical records of all existing and new patients. As the average patient record comprises approximately 220 separate pieces of paper, the system ensures all data relating to the individual’s health is readily available via the new secure system, from x-ray reports and prescription records to GP referral letters and consultant discharge summaries. In addition to providing a more immediate overview of an individual’s clinical history, the software application also indexes each document to improve speed of access for future referencing.
The solution, which is able to process around 30,000 documents per day across four hospital locations*, is also unique as it electronically transfers all scanned information straight to NHS Scotland’s centralised data storage facility - SCI-Store** - offering further data protection benefits, and eliminating the risks and delays associated with the manual transfer of paper copies.
According to Martin Egan, NHS Lothian’s Director of eHealth, the investment will pay huge dividends: “This new technology will dramatically impact on our administrative processes. Cost savings and efficiencies will be delivered by significantly reducing the amount of man-hours spent manually lodging and recording data. Added to that, the enhanced data security and support services give us a level of protection which is critical to the running of our entire operation.”
James Turnbull, Managing Director, Infrastructure Solutions, Northgate Managed Services added: “We’re delighted that our successful partnership with e-Docs is helping to deliver tangible benefits for NHS Lothian. Never before have issues such as security, resilience and continuity been so relevant to data management and we’re confident these robust and comprehensive ‘store’ and ‘conserve’ solutions will be of genuine value to the NHS at a regional level and beyond.”
When the roll-out of the project across the four sites is complete, Ian Daniels, Sales & Marketing Director of e-Docs UK believes the new patient record management system will offer great potential to the health sector in general: “We are very pleased to have been selected, together with Northgate, to implement this innovative Patient Records Management solution. NHS Lothian now has the potential for rapid access to all patient records which will deliver improvement in clinical effectiveness, information governance and will also reduce administration costs. Our eHealth business sector is rapidly growing and we believe this presents a great opportunity to assist other NHS Boards address similar challenges.”
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