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June 19, 2006
Gone Away - the need for Patient Data Integration in the NHS
In my blog entry on 28th March (Lost in migration), I discussed the issues surrounding the migration of patient data at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre.
This is part of a national programme to bring together patient data from different NHS Trusts to provide a "single patient view". Each trust has been given a timetable to complete a CRS Migration, moving data from their Care Record Systems (CRS) or Patient Administration Systems (PAS) to a central "spine". The Nuffield got a lot of press attention because it was one of the first trusts to complete a migration and ,as an out-patient at the centre I took a personal interest in it.
The need for Patient Data Integration is obvious - of course every clinician I see should have a complete history of my health treatment. But just how disconnected the present system is was brought home to me again recently, courtesy of a good old "Gone Away".
My consultant at the Nuffield has decided to refer me to another department, which is based at the John Radcliffe Hospital (also in Oxford) and duly sent a note through to the appropriate person. Of course, the easiest way of identifying me in the NHS computer systems is by my NHS Number, so this was supplied. Unfortunately though, the systems at the Nuffield and the JRH are disconnected, so my details are stored separately on each. And, having not received treatment at the JRH for some years, they still had my old address - so that's where they sent my appointment.
Thankfully, the current occupiers of the property still had a copy of our forwarding address and the letter arrived just a few days later. The impact in this case was minimal, but consider what happens if a treatment centre cannot identify a casualty because their computer system is disconnected and out of date. The diligence of the health workers means that most cases are resolved, but it takes time, effort and yes, money to do so. Joining up the hundreds of NHS computer systems will improve efficiency, but most of all it will improve patient care - that's why NPfIT, the National Programme for IT, needs to succeed.
Copyright © 2006 Steve Tuck - All Rights Reserved
Posted by Steve Tuck at June 19, 2006 2:00 AM
