The impact of digital technology on patient care we provide has been recognised by a prestigious awards body.
University Hospitals Tees has been shortlisted for five Health Service Journal (HSJ) digital awards.
Highly regarded through the health care sector, the HSJ awards are the annual celebration of excellence in digital projects.
Clinically led digital innovation has become central to the way the group delivers care, both inside hospitals and out in the community.
From electronic patient records that give clinicians instant access to accurate information, to advanced digital tools supporting virtual wards and remote monitoring, these technologies enable patients to receive high quality care in more flexible and convenient ways.
Shared vision
Lindsay Garcia, deputy chief nurse, said: “We’re thrilled with these nominations.
“The key to success has been the shared vision and the collaborative working between our clinical and digital teams, this is reflected by the number of categories we have been named in.
“By working together, we can make sure our digital systems are clinically led and designed around patient care.
“The team has delivered solutions which improve patient safety, reduce administrative burden, and help staff assist patients with complex needs earlier.
“Most importantly, this work has freed up clinicians’ time so they can focus on what matters most – caring for our patients.”
University Hospitals Tees has been recognised in the following categories:
- Digital transformation organisation of the year
- Outstanding achievement in EPR (electronic patient records) implementation and optimisation
- Driving virtual wards and hospitals through digital
- Driving prevention and early intervention through digital
- Improving medicines and pharmacy through digital
The shortlisted projects are helping clinicians make faster, safer decisions through improved data, digital pathways and diagnostics. Patients are also experiencing better communication and more personalised care thanks to these innovations.
Proud
Neil Dobinson, deputy chief information officer, commented: “To be nominated for five HSJ digital awards is incredible!
“Digital underpins so much of the work that is delivered across University Hospitals Tees, from electronic patient records to supporting virtual wards in the community, and so much more.
“The digital team works hand-in-hand with our clinical colleagues at every stage of a project to make sure that improving patient care is at the centre of every project.
“It’s a true partnership and I am so proud of everyone for this achievement.”
The winners will be announced at the Health Service Journal Digital Awards ceremony in Birmingham on 19 May.
Citations
Digital transformation organisation of the year
This nomination recognises ‘Transforming care at South Tees: A journey from paper to digital excellence’. A clinically led programme of work has seen South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust move from paper-based records to electronic, resulting in increased patient safety benefits, including more time for care and significant cost savings.
Outstanding achievement in EPR (electronic patient records) implementation and optimisation
Our submission was named ‘Clinical excellence in the digital revolution: The role of MIYA in safer, smarter care’.
This project saw the digital team extend the use of the MIYA electronic patient records system to be used in all inpatient services across South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The system now extends into outpatient services and has helped improve patient safety, medicines management, documentation quality and operational flow.
Driving virtual wards and hospitals through digital
This nomination highlights ‘transforming POSDU with a virtual ward: Accelerating safe patient discharge’
The virtual ward in POSDU (the surgical day unit at the Friarage in Northallerton) allows patients to be discharged home earlier while still being safely monitored remotely.
Driving prevention and early intervention through digital
Our submission was called ‘Providing a pathway of support for the most vulnerable patients’ which has assisted the implementation of Martha’s Rule, the national initiative aimed at ensuring that patients and families can easily request a clinical review if they are worried about deterioration.
The project introduced a digital patient wellness questionnaire which combines patient, relative and clinical input to create a structured “early concern” assessment.
Improving medicines and pharmacy through digital
Recognising a project called ‘TrakCare electronic prescribing and administration (ePMA2) optimisation’ which modernised prescribing and medicines administration. Complex medicine workflows including infusions, injectables, epidurals, and enteral feeding were digitised which has removed the use of paper charts, reducing spend on stationery, improved safety and better quality of discharge information for patients.