Wye Valley NHS Trust has launched its electronic patient record (EPR) system, to help digitise its processes and make patient management more flexible.
The trust will use IMS Maxims' openMaxims EPR software to help boost accuracy of current patient records and make them more accessible across the area's acute and community hospitals. In the coming months, the system will also be rolled out to all medical establishments in Wye Valley's catchment area including social and primary care.
It means clinicians working in the trust will be able to access detailed information from one patient record, helping them make better decisions about the patient's diagnosis and treatment.
"For us, this is not an ICT project, it is about clinical process change assisted by the right technology" says Simon Lind, project and portfolio manager at Wye Valley NHS Trust.
"The team at IMS have listened to our requirements, engaged with our clinicians and we believe will be a strong partner in making the EPR a reality at Wye Valley NHS Trust."
The EPR will integrate the trust's existing patient tracking and booking systems, allowing all information including test results to be managed from one dashboard. New features within the system will also enable clinicians to book and schedule tests, beds for patients and theatres, issue electronic discharge and clinic letters from one place.
"To have visibility of a patient's record, especially in emergency situations is fundamental for improving care," Dr. Jake Burdsall, consultant lead for IT at the Wye Valley NHS Trust added.
"You cannot underestimate the importance of having clinical information, be it past attendances, episodes or diagnostic results, to help make immediate and future decisions on a patient's care."
