\u201cA crystal ball isn\u2019t required to foresee the pivotal role of information, data and technology in supporting efficiencies within the [health and social care] sector next year,\u201d said HSCIC Chief Exec, Andy Williams, in a recent article on the future of healthcare.<\/p>\n
Both the Department of Health and the NHS are committed to delivering a \u2018digital first\u2019 health and care system to deliver innovative and patient-driven health services across the UK. Indeed, in\u00a0February of this year, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced the government will invest \u00a34.2 billion in NHS technology over the next five years. This aims to deliver a paperless NHS, and improve service delivery through a series of initiatives, both online and face-to-face.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Hunt has appointed Dr Bob Wachter, a professor at the University of California and author of the bestselling book \u2018The Digital Doctor: Hope, Hype, and Harm at the Dawn of Medicine\u2019s Computer Age\u2019, to lead a review of the use of technology in the NHS.<\/p>\n
Different technologies have been used by a number of healthcare organisations to improve key areas of delivery already. This includes putting patients in control of their data and improving the speed and way in which information is recorded, shared and acted upon in to better deliver care.<\/p>\n
We show how several health organisations have been able to transform their service delivery.<\/p>\n
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In the case of\u00a0medical conditions with a\u00a0sudden onset \u2013\u00a0such as strokes and heart attacks \u2013\u00a0the speed of diagnosis\u00a0and commencement of appropriate initial treatment can have a huge impact on the overall severity of the condition, and the extent to which the patient can recover.<\/p>\n
Historically, if consultants are off-site or they are required outside of normal working hours this can result in delays in diagnosis, at times when a swift intervention can have a huge impact on the chances of the patient making a full recovery.<\/p>\n
Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust has tackled this issue by using Skype for Business to dramatically improve the way in which patients suffering from strokes are treated in the immediate aftermath of a stroke.<\/p>\n
As soon as symptoms occur, patients can be connected with a consultant via Skype \u2013 regardless of the time of day \u2013 instead of either party having to travel, enabling the correct diagnoses to be made swiftly and for the appropriate actions to be taken without unnecessary delays.<\/p>\n
Click here to learn more about the Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust<\/a><\/p>\n Making sure that the right people have access to the latest patient information via a secure environment, wherever they are, enables decisions to be made as and when the information is available, resulting in swifter treatment for the patient.<\/p>\n Utilising the security, reliability and scalability of Microsoft Azure, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust\u00a0developed a solution alongside Microsoft partner Careflow to resolve the issue of delays in communication, and the failure of important information being transmitted between carers.<\/p>\n Working with the Information Governance Department, the Systems Managers at East Kent were able ensure that Careflow on Azure was fully compliant, resulting in a secure system that delivers timely information to healthcare professionals. More than a simple alert system, users are also informed who has seen the alert, when they saw it, what they have done about it, and any other comments. This context allows for decisions to be made a lot sooner and for treatment to progress at the fastest pace it can.<\/p>\n Click here to learn more about how Careflow is empowering better decision making and treatment in East Kent<\/a><\/p>\n As technology makes it easier for patients to engage with the care process, health organisations are able to improve delivery while cutting costs. For example, allowing patients to contribute data to their records without having to see their GPs can reduce the number of GP appointments. This saves the practice time and money, as well as\u00a0improving the patient experience.<\/p>\n This was certainly the case in Bradford, where the Phoenix Medical Practice was able to deliver significant cost savings by trialling a new approach to patient consultations using VitruCare \u2013 an internet delivered \u2018self-care\u2019 service provided by Dynamic Health Systems \u2013 which utilises Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft Azure.<\/p>\n By supplying the patient with a range of wearable tech and other devices, they can securely record data such as blood pressure, weight, exercise activity and other daily measurements into the VitruCare dashboard.<\/p>\n Knowing a patient\u2019s everyday health means that the GP or carer is able to schedule appointments proactively, but also provides the incentive for patients to take an interest in their own health and well-being, which could prevent a build-up of health problems.<\/p>\nEast Kent improves treatment with Microsoft Azure<\/h2>\n
Engaging patients in their treatment with \u2018self-care\u2019 service VitruCare<\/h2>\n