Case studies
Automated Planner
Description:
A digitised visit allocation system. This replaces a senior nurse who would check case notes and allocate staff to visit housebound patients. The Planner is already part of the EPR. Staff enter details such as location and treatment needs of the patient, then the system matches an appropriate nurse to the visit.
Organisations:
- NHS/HSC Mental Health, Learning Disability and Community trust
Units/Services:
- District/community nursing
Digital patient observations
Description:
Patient observations are tracked on a tablet interface. During the pandemic, an extra function was added in, to measure and monitor oxygen use and concentration levels across the hospital. This assisted in managing safety due to the flammability of oxygen, and supported supply management at a time of increased use.
Organisations:
- NHS/HSC Integrated Care Organisation
Units/Services:
- Hospital Trusts & Agencies (e.g. Acute Trust)
ECHO (Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes)
Description:
A teleconferencing platform used to coach and support district nurses, and nursing and residential care home staff during the pandemic. They could access online meetings to learn about infection control, Verification of Life Extinct, and advice and education at a time when the need for reduced footfall into care facilities placed extra caring demands on staff.
Organisations:
- NHS/HSC Integrated Care Organisation
Units/Services:
- District/community nursing
Electronic handover system
Description:
The Electronic handover system replaced handovers that were manually typed-up as Word documents, and which were not visible to different departments. Less errors are made, and time is saved due to the automation of patient data management.
Organisations:
- NHS/HSC Acute Trust
Units/Services:
- Paediatrics
- Hospital Trusts & Agencies (e.g. Acute Trust)
- Specialties (e.g. Gastroenterology, Chemotherapy, Mental health)
Electronic observations
Description:
A tablet and desktop interface to record hospitalised patients' vital signs. Provides an at-a-glance overview of a patient's condition. This technology was rolled-out at pace during the pandemic to manage patient data efficiently, replacing paper-based records.
Organisations:
- NHS/HSC Acute Trust
Units/Services:
- IT & Digital
Electronic patient record
Description:
A bespoke EPR that contains patients’ information, care plans and assessments in one place. The EPR has been developed over several years, with the pandemic expediting its development. The EPR was able to record Covid-related data such as if a patient is infected, which can inform infection prevention. This technology reduces the need for paper documents.
Organisations:
- NHS/HSC Acute Trust
Units/Services:
- Hospital Trusts & Agencies (e.g. Acute Trust)
Instant messaging and telephone app, free to use via the internet
Description:
The free to use communication platform enabled Admiral Nurses to support carers of people with dementia during the pandemic, particularly when there were several carers involved, keeping up to date with family members all in one message group. Carers with concerns could share images of the patient's skin condition, injuries, weight-loss or any other issues, and get advice.
Organisations:
- Other
Units/Services:
- District/community nursing
Online video sharing platform for patient information and training
Description:
Patient training videos were uploaded to a free video sharing platform to provide patients with 'how to' information on connecting to a remote, virtual appointment. The videos have been translated into several languages. The videos help patients troubleshoot common problems when trying to connect, and give simple to follow step-by-step guidance.
Organisations:
- GP Practice/Primary Care provider
Units/Services:
- GP Primary Care
Remote, online meetings for carers
Description:
During the pandemic, meetings for young adults (aged 14-25) with psychosis sought to move to an online format, but many opted to continue with face-to-face support. Among some of their carers/family members, an online carers' support group was more accessible to attend than the previous in-person meetings had been. However, some carers who had previously attended in-person did not use the online meetings, possibly due to privacy issues at home, or not being confident using technology.
Organisations:
- Mental Health Clinical Board (Wales)
Units/Services:
- Early Intervention Psychosis service
Remote, online meetings for patients
Description:
Among patients with mental health and addiction issues, group therapy sessions moved to an online format. This produced problems for some of the patients both in accessing and then using the technology.
Organisations:
- NHS/HSC Mental Health Trust
Units/Services:
- Specialties (e.g. Gastroenterology, Chemotherapy, Mental health)