P R O J E C T R E P O R T
ON THE WAY TO SOLV I NG THE MY S TERY OF THE M I S S I NG PAT I ENT F I L E !
MARIA GALLOWAY COUNTIES MANUKAU HEALTH
Picking up a device and learning how to use it efficiently, like learning to drive a car or operate a cell phone has become more of a focus within our healthcare environment. Working together utilising technology at the point of care improves patient outcomes and patient safety. Gone are the days of precious time taken to locate patient folders last seen at the nurse’s station, doctors write up area, medication rooms or utilised by colleagues just when you need them. Information is at your fingertips — engage and learn; you are never too mature or technology challenged to learn new skills!
an appropriate device based on the activity being completed. Clinicians generally view patient information within the Regional Clinical Portal (RCP), where multiple system applications combine a range of information including vital signs, blood and radiology results, MedChart (electronic medication prescriptions and administration). The collection of data displays an up to date view via an Inpatient Snapshot (IP Snap) view which on paper could not be viewed by multiple users across varying locations within the hospital network. The adoption of information technology within the healthcare setting challenges staff to consider how to best make use of this technology, and develop an efficient way of working which differs from traditional methods. With support, education and continual advancement combined with user experience, the voice of clinicians is regularly heard and builds the roadmap for working groups within the organisation to think more futuristically. The aim of this technological transition and multiple upgrades to improve applications is to ultimately provide benefits to patients; no matter where the patient presents, information is easily accessed to assist the clinician in providing optimal, timely care.
One of the greatest age old mysteries facing clinicians has been locating patient paper folders. The information recorded within the folders have traditionally presented the story of a patient’s journey from triage, to the day they are discharged. Then along comes technology... No more searching for patient folders or the lost pen — instead the search for a preferred device begins! The transformational journey from paper documentation to building and developing an electronic health record (eHR) within a large metro DHB can be challenging, the goalposts always seem to move. The more we discover about how our patient’s journeys link with healthcare staff across a variety of roles, services and locations, the more opportunities are identified to improve patient experience and how technology can benefit access to clinical information. Counties Manukau Health (CMH) commenced a programme of work in 2017 implementing eVitals for documenting clinical information within Patientrack, as an electronic recording platform. Nurses record patient information previously recorded on paper charts into eVitals via a range of devices from the hand held iPad Mini, iPad Air devices mounted to observation trolleys, to the Workstations on Wheels (WOWs) enabling the user to select hinz.org.nz/page/JOIN
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WANT TO KNOW MORE ? Mar ia Ga l loway | mar ia . ga l loway@middlemore . co.nz
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